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: 345213
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 345213
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 5270
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 5509
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 5560
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 5346
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 5632
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 5524
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 5806
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: 4850
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 5005
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 10211
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 9512
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: 5439
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 5439
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 4753
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 5061
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 4894
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 8481
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 8199
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 4740
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 4831
Size: 116.3 KB

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

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 5202
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 4968
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 7426
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 5586
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 5352
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 9764
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: 11637
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 11637
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 10861
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 7906
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 5447
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 8615
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 8363
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 7529
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 7008
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 7623
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 5361
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 5858
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 8124
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 9263
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 5104
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 7657
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 5041
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 7123
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 7627
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 5323
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: 6881
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 6881
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 4528
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 4761
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 4976
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 5015
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 4981
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 6887
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 4923
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 5050
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 5017
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 4959
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 4770
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 7366
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 5124
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 7560
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 6751
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 5038
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 4896
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 4697
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 8030
Size: 195.7 KB

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

The all important docs!

Name: tn_Body Broadcast sheet.jpeg
Views: 4361
Size: 214.9 KB

Name: tn_Original Sales Invoice.jpeg
Views: 8747
Size: 157.8 KB

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

"By The Numbers"

Name: tn_By the numbers page 1.jpeg
Views: 5871
Size: 151.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 2.jpeg
Views: 5964
Size: 134.3 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 3.jpeg
Views: 5924
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 6022
Size: 135.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 5.jpeg
Views: 7083
Size: 115.0 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 6.jpeg
Views: 5804
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: 4219
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)

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