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: 292025
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 292025
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 2837
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 2943
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 3051
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 2868
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 3000
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 2932
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 3079
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: 2681
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 2789
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 4948
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 4582
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: 3057
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 3057
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 2646
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 2827
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 2660
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 5085
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 4900
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 2549
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 2663
Size: 116.3 KB

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

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 2869
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 2765
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 4455
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 3012
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 2955
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 4802
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: 7628
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 7628
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 5964
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 4710
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 3017
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 5183
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 5119
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 4489
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 4203
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 4553
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 2862
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 2945
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 4890
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 5667
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 2769
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 4552
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 2703
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 4217
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 4626
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 2911
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: 4104
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 4104
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 2403
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 2596
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 2704
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 2701
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 2730
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 4106
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 2694
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 2751
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 2743
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 2689
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 2590
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 4381
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 2907
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 4571
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 4089
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 2717
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 2740
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 2554
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 4745
Size: 195.7 KB

**Xplantdad** · #7 04-15-2021, 03:14 AM

The all important docs!

Name: tn_Body Broadcast sheet.jpeg
Views: 2557
Size: 214.9 KB

Name: tn_Original Sales Invoice.jpeg
Views: 4050
Size: 157.8 KB

**Xplantdad** · #8 04-15-2021, 03:45 AM

"By The Numbers"

Name: tn_By the numbers page 1.jpeg
Views: 3619
Size: 151.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 2.jpeg
Views: 3751
Size: 134.3 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 3.jpeg
Views: 3690
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 3786
Size: 135.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 5.jpeg
Views: 4401
Size: 115.0 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 6.jpeg
Views: 3616
Size: 105.6 KB

**Xplantdad** · #9 04-15-2021, 03:48 AM

And the final picture, the original owner, Mr. John Hopkins!

Name: Mr. John Hopkins..jpg
Views: 2454
Size: 412.0 KB

Astock · #10 04-15-2021, 04:30 AM

Really nice!

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 5 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
60sStuff (05-13-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), ScottG (01-30-2022)

The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to Xplantdad For This Useful Post:
1967 4K (04-15-2021), 60sStuff (04-16-2021), big gear head (04-15-2021), dykstra (04-15-2021), HawkX66 (04-30-2021), L78_Nova (04-15-2021), L_e_e (04-16-2021), olredalert (02-27-2023), PeteLeathersac (04-15-2021), RPOLS3 (04-16-2021), ruralrte66 (04-16-2021), ScottG (01-04-2024), Tenney (04-15-2021), Woj (04-15-2021)

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