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: 280854
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 280854
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 2658
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 2762
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 2872
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 2692
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 2806
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 2741
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 2882
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: 2535
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 2621
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 4631
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 4291
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: 2885
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 2885
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 2492
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 2646
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 2505
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 4830
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 4633
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 2420
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 2508
Size: 116.3 KB

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

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 2698
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 2617
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 4255
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 2832
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 2806
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 4509
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: 7333
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 7333
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 5460
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 4518
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 2847
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 4941
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 4884
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 4301
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 4026
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 4313
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 2706
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 2758
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 4663
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 5421
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 2617
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 4340
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 2538
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 4028
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 4429
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 2744
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: 3915
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 3915
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 2267
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 2438
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 2554
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 2547
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 2557
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 3941
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 2527
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 2587
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 2577
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 2530
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 2448
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 4177
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 2741
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 4363
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 3941
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 2568
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 2589
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 2402
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 4496
Size: 195.7 KB

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

The all important docs!

Name: tn_Body Broadcast sheet.jpeg
Views: 2444
Size: 214.9 KB

Name: tn_Original Sales Invoice.jpeg
Views: 3806
Size: 157.8 KB

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

"By The Numbers"

Name: tn_By the numbers page 1.jpeg
Views: 3472
Size: 151.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 2.jpeg
Views: 3592
Size: 134.3 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 3.jpeg
Views: 3541
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 3646
Size: 135.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 5.jpeg
Views: 4207
Size: 115.0 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 6.jpeg
Views: 3461
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: 2345
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)