Vehicle Description
It's no secret that we love Chevelles here at Streetside Classics,
but sometimes something truly special shows up on our doorstep that
really blows us away. This frame-off restored 1968 Chevelle is a
real-deal SS396, which is awesome all by itself, but throw in the
unusual yet killer color combination and it REALLY stands out. Red
is great, but if you really want to make a statement, this is the
car you need.
Following a professional frame-off restoration from the experts at
MoTown Muscle Cars in Detroit, Michigan in 2013, this Grotto Blue
Chevelle started wowing crowds at every car show it was featured
in. It's easy to see how that was possible, since it's very
straight and correctly restored to factory specs. Forget a color
swap to "resale red" or something formulaic like that; instead they
gave it perhaps the most meticulous coat of medium blue paint
possible, a glossy, deep shade with 6 coats of clear coat on top
that has a shine for the ages. It doesn't look as fast, but I
assure you that this subtle Chevelle probably humiliated its share
of Mustangs back in the day, and that color was probably used like
bait. Correct white SS stripes were applied around the nose and
down along the rockers, and they work well with the traditional
blacked-out SS grille and factory hood. Lots of fresh chrome and
polished stainless was part of the restoration, too, so it truly
sparkles in the sun. It's not a perfect trailer queen, but this is
truly a special Chevelle that was built right.
Inside, this one looks fantastic thanks to a set of beautiful black
buckets with a factory console featuring the coolest shifter ever
invented. The original SS gauges are in great condition, more
evidence of an easy life, and they've been augmented with a full
set of auxiliary units under the dash, along with a tachometer
strapped to the steering wheel. In between the supportive buckets
the center console offers a horseshoe shifter that's still the
coolest way to pick a gear in an automatic. The back seat also
sports new seat covers, and fresh black carpets and interior
hardware was installed throughout the passenger compartment during
the comprehensive restoration. R134a A/C is a great upgrade, but it
shouldn't be too surprising considering where the car was built,
and the big block doesn't seem to mind turning the compressor. The
radio is a new retro-style AM/FM/iPod unit feeding speakers in the
package shelf. In back, the very clean trunk offers a replacement
mat and plenty of room to accommodate almost any travel plans.
The real story here, however, is the believed-original 396 cubic
inch big block under the hood. With plenty of horsepower on tap,
it's hilarious to think that this was just the base engine in the
Chevelle SS in 1968. Rebuilt when the car was restored, it was
returned to stock specs (like you need more?) and then detailed for
show. That means Chevy Orange paint, finned valve covers, and a
chrome open-element air cleaner with Chevrolet badging on top. A
Holley 750CFM 4-barrel carburetor sits atop an Edelbrock intake
manifold, and the mild cam inside the big block provides just
enough lope to the already cackling motor. It's backed by a TH400
3-speed automatic transmission and 12-bolt rear end with
highway-friendly gears, so the powertrain is virtually
indestructible. All the major components were addressed during the
restoration including ball joints, shocks, brakes, calipers, master
cylinder, and a rumbling 3-inch Dynomax exhaust system with X-pipe
for a great soundtrack. The undercarriage is very presentable, and
for hitting the road it's hard to beat a big block A-body. Handsome
Corvette Rallys are wrapped in staggered 235/60/15 front and
275/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials so it handles
beautifully.
If you're a fan of the unusual, then this Chevelle should appeal to
you the way it did to us. Sometimes the best way to stand out is to
not do what everyone else is doing. Call today!
