Bill Wente (67since67) 1966 Survivor SS396 Chevelle!

**Xplantdad** · #1 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

John Hopkins, a cotton farmer from Centre Alabama, took delivery of this 1966 Chevelle SS396 from Burkhalter Chevrolet Company in Centre on October 28th, 1965. Because of the nature of his work it was never used as daily transportation. Conversation with John plus maps and brochures in the glove box revealed that numerous trips were made to Florida's Gulf coast.

January 8th of 1978 the oil was changed at 59,310 miles. On January 13th of 2001 the oil was changed using Quaker State 10-30 at 61,950 miles. Today the milage is 62,240.

In November of 2009 John traded the Chevelle on a new Corvette. I asked him if he ever regretted parting with the Chevelle, he said no, he had always wanted a Corvette. Sadly John passed away in 2014.

After trading the Chevelle in 2009 it fell into the possession of a collector friend who named it "Belle". I acquired it in 2013 as part of a three way shuffle. In 2014 at MCACN Vintage Certification it was awarded "Legend" status with a composite score of 93%. It is a true sweetheart and one of my favorites to drive, a real Southern Belle!

Bill Wente

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344272
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344272
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 4532
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 4692
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 4765
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 4582
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 4802
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 4644
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 4944
Size: 215.8 KB

**Xplantdad** · #2 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

Engine shots including the early production five hole hood

Name: tn_early production five hole hood.jpeg
Views: 4133
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 4257
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 8282
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 7693
Size: 234.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #3 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

Interior pics including glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the circles on the heads

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4655
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4655
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 4059
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 4327
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 4126
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 7344
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 6980
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 4067
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 4150
Size: 116.3 KB

**Xplantdad** · #4 04-15-2021, 03:13 AM

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 4401
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 4244
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 6345
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 4744
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 4525
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 7990
Size: 223.1 KB

**Xplantdad** · #5 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

Here's a bunch of detail pictures...if you hover over the pictures, it will give you some info about the picture!

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 10221
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 10221
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 9291
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 6851
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 4638
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 7390
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 7271
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 6461
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 6060
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 6582
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 4576
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 5054
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 7010
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 8045
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 4346
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 6577
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 4325
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 6127
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 6608
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 4602
Size: 139.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #6 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

Here's more detail pictures...if you hover over the pictures, it will give you some info about the picture!

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 5938
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 5938
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 3849
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 4059
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 4229
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 4276
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 4234
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 5933
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 4210
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 4309
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 4268
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 4186
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 4052
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 6296
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 4383
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 6477
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 5836
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 4275
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 4195
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 3998
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 6810
Size: 195.7 KB

Astock · #7 04-15-2021, 04:30 AM

Really nice!

**BillD** · #8 04-17-2021, 12:47 PM

Bill, Thanks for sharing. Great reference pictures. Beautiful Chevelle.

**grantprix** · #9 04-19-2021, 02:01 AM

Absolutely love this car!! What an amazing time capsule!! Those mag covers are so cool, I always put those on my past '66s as well...

**67since67** · #10 04-19-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantprix

Absolutely love this car!! What an amazing time capsule!! Those mag covers are so cool, I always put those on my past '66s as well...

Thank you Grant!

I am not a fan of N96 covers on every car, but they are so right on a '66 Chevelle, especially a black one IMO.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (04-15-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), BillD (04-17-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), kwhizz (04-19-2021), L_e_e (04-16-2021), mhurd (04-15-2021), olredalert (12-10-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), Steve Shauger (04-16-2021), Tenney (04-15-2021)

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), L78_Nova (04-15-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Astock For This Useful Post:
67since67 (04-17-2021), mr.4speed (04-16-2021)

The Following User Says Thank You to BillD For This Useful Post:
67since67 (04-19-2021)

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to grantprix For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (04-19-2021), 67since67 (04-19-2021), dykstra (04-20-2021), markinnaples (04-19-2021), olredalert (04-19-2021), PeteLeathersac (04-28-2021)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to 67since67 For This Useful Post:
grantprix (04-21-2021), L78_Nova (04-20-2021)

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.