RIP '68 Chevelle SS396

[Supercar_Kid]

I found this one not even five miles from home. I was sitting in traffic and spotted it way off on the hillside. After about 20 minutes of trying dead end roads and alleyways, I figured out exactly which road on that hillside led to it. I was hoping it would be a '69 Yenko, but it turned out to be a '68 SS396. Still looks like it was a cool car in it's day. Not much left of her now. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

That's about as buried as they get. All that was missing was the tombstone.

[Supercar_Kid]

A true SS396 car for sure, but no signs of engine or trans at all. Originally a 4 speed car, with at least one bad repaint. Dig the hand scheened tow hooks, installed through the bumper with a hot wrench. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

I spoke with the owner's mother, a very elderly lady who agreed to allow me to snap some pics. She said it hadn't been driven in 15 years or so. My guess is it's been a lot longer than that. Inspection sticker expires July 31, 1975. I wasn't even born yet.

[Supercar_Kid]

Pretty rough for sure.

[Supercar_Kid]

Radiator had literally fallen through the core support. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Looks like the rare "strike" interior, like LV's Harrell '68, only bench version, and completely devastated. Not much left of the floors.

[Supercar_Kid]

Door panel.

[Supercar_Kid]

72,775 clicks on the clock.

[Supercar_Kid]

Original color shows, nice jamb work. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Looks to have been an original rally wheel car, 3 still remaining.

[Supercar_Kid]

The lone Cragar S/S. They hold up nice outdoors. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

A good candidate for some retro fit cowl screens.

[Supercar_Kid]

What's left of the trans tunnell.

[Supercar_Kid]

SS trim still intact in the interior. Looks like some of Belair's finest growin' in there.

[scuncio]

Cool (but sad) pics! Man, the Rust Belt is rough on sheetmetal.

[Supercar_Kid]

Cool old Steel Town speed shop decal. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

A close up of those tow bars and the installation. Belair, I hope you aren't putting the ones on your '69 COPO like this.

[Supercar_Kid]

And there she'll sit until she becomes part of the Earth. Makes you think twice about the value and rarity of "survivor" cars. Glad LV's Harrell '68 wasn't stored like this.

[MosportGreen66]

Kid,

Were there any signs of a motor/trans/rear? I love the pictures thanks! It sure would be some project bringing one of these cars back from the dead! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif Its tough seeing em like that!

-Dan

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
A true SS396 car for sure, but no signs of engine or trans at all.

[/ QUOTE ] The rear was there, but you'd need a shovel to get it out. Sad indeed. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Mr70]

I can hear the owner now.
"It's not for sale,I'm Gonna Fix her up one of these days!". http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[DarrenX33]

Hey Kid great pictures. Thanks for fighting the weeds to get them. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Yeah I'll be lucky if I didn't catch some incurable disease from crawling around that thing. I checked the trunk for a dealer emblem or any indication of where it was sold...nothing...then the glovebox only to find about 200 creepy crawly critters. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif I think I'll go wash again. All part of the experience though...still bummin' it wasn't a '69 Yenko car. Maybe next time.

[GTO_DON]

i'll bet it was a L78 car with those tow tabs. great pics!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Belair62]

Even if it was a Yenko it needed to stay where it was ! I hope you left the vegetation alone http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
Man, the Rust Belt is rough on sheetmetal.

[/ QUOTE ] You can say that again. Dig the driver's side fender. Only the stainless trim was keeping it glued together.

[sYc]

Hey, Kid. I bet if you went back and pulled the interior, you would find the build sheet. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

I wonder why Chevelles didn't get the SS396 emblem on the horn shroud? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I know I've seen them, are they SS396 '68 Camaro only, as to destinguish themselves from SS350's...or were they a big car part? Any thoughts?

[Charley Lillard]

I'll bet its a Phase 3 though.

[Supercar_Kid]

Fender bottoms are pretty hurtin' too. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Looks like they've already been subject to some mud work.

[Supercar_Kid]

Maybe SS396 on the dash spear was enough?

[Supercar_Kid]

Note no badging at all on the "strike" door panels. I questioned this about LV's Harrell '68 when I first saw it. I guess DH lucked out when the cars came in with those door panels, no SS396's to have to get rid of.

[LVCamaro]

COOL pics, Erik! I bet it was an eerie feeling when you first walked up on it, full of pent up anticipation.

SS

[55chevy]

Those lug nuts could use a squirt of WD-30..

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
I bet it was an eerie feeling when you first walked up on it, full of pent up anticipation.

[/ QUOTE ] It was a combination of that, and fear of tramping down on a rattler while wearing only flip flops. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[Belair62]

The banjos playing in the background probably didn't help either... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[mmcporter]

Toothless guys sitting on the nearby porches probably had an impact also.

[hvychev]

Kid did they tell ya "you had a purdy mouth?" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

Deliverance remarks aside...this car isn't as far into the sticks as you might think. It's just well hidden. Like I said, I saw it while sitting in traffic, i.e. myself and other "city folk" on their way home from work. If you've never been to Pittsburgh you might not understand, but it's really a city nestled in the midst of a lot of little suburbs. I happened to be driving through one of them when my eye spotted what looked to be a '68-9 Chevelle tucked away up under a pine tree way off on a hillside in the distance. A little side street/back alley detour and voila, there she sat. This car is no more than 15 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, not in West Virginia or the deep woods as the pics may lead you to believe. The first house I stopped at was actually a neighbor of the owner, who seemed to be thrilled that I stopped and showed interest in the car, explaining that it hadn't moved in decades, and hinted at his contempt for the owner for allowing such an eyesore to sit in the adjacent yard for what seemed to be an eternity. Yes, there were houses situated closely enough around this car for me to have to guess which one might belong to it's owner. It even had electricty and a working doorbell when I approached it. I guess my point is, these kinds of finds can be lurking where you'd least expect it. This car is in plain view to the trained eye, but somehow has avoided rescue for many years. I didn't get a chance to speak with the owner, but you can bet he's a bit of an introvert, and I doubt he has much interest in selling or the car would have probably been grabbed up while there was still something left to it. I just think you should never say never, and when I haul an L-78 and an M22 out of his rickety tool shed in a few weeks...then we'll see who's squealin' like a pig! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Hey, stranger things have happened.

[Supercar_Kid]

Lookie...that's a mid 80's T/A also goin' to the dawgs, and a licensed and inspected 90's Dodge Ram. I've definitely seen places further removed from the modern era. Wonder if this fella is readin' all this now on his high speed internet? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[camarojoe]

The sad thing is, that punk is getting PAID to go take 50 pictures of a 68 SS396. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, Kid. I bet if you went back and pulled the interior, you would find the build sheet.

[/ QUOTE ] Nope, thought of that. The back seat was already laying in there loose. Nothing but more critters and the torched crossmember laying under it. Could be behind a door panel though I suppose? I'm afraid of what else might be behind there. The interior was like a widlife habitat, I'm glad I got to see it once without getting bitten by something.

[Fhakya]

Great thread kid! Sad but good info. I'm going to look at a '70 SS El Camino in within the next month. I'm praying that it's not that far gone....and that the property owners won't meet me with a shot gun.

[bkhpah]

Broughers Speed Shop is still in business near the Century Three mall. My Dad bought the first set of Traction Masters from them for his 1950 Ford race car way back in the day...Cool pics...BKH

[Daves70SS]

[ QUOTE ]
Pretty rough for sure.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that car would be a great candidate for the next Goodmark project car and not some car needing a typical restoration like they usually pick. It would be a good challenge for them and chance to use every available reproduction part out there for that year car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[68z302]

Maybe they would be afraid of the end result? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[427TJ]

Yeah, a $200,000 '68 Chevelle SS 396.

Sad to see it going back to nature though.

[Supercar_Kid]

[ QUOTE ]
I think that car would be a great candidate for the next Goodmark project car and not some car needing a typical restoration like they usually pick. It would be a good challenge for them and chance to use every available reproduction part out there for that year car.

[/ QUOTE ] Interesting idea Dave, I bet there'd be a lot of slotted holes in that project. Panel fit would probably be about like it is now. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Chris396]

You know what would be cool? To take a car like that and display it at a car show on some kind of rolling dolly.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

So, you gonna buy it? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[427TJ]

Buy it? They should give him money to haul it away.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

No way, just buy it for braggin rights and conversation topics!

[hotrodchev]

Better bring some extra boxes... I don't think it's coming out in one piece http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Tim
"Hotrodchev"

[JoeG]

One more for MuscleCar Heaven---------------

[Mr70]

"Are SuperCars Dead?" http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
November 70 Super Stock & Drag illustrated.

[RichSchmidt]

If the owner had most of the original parts and had the original complete engine and trans,that car would be worth restoring as long as the frame isnt rusted too bad.If you combined that car's remains with a rust free arizona base model even a 4 door from Ebay you could get a long way into the resto.The repop parts are there too.
If I were doing something like that,I might be inclined to fix the structural and floor rust,then hang as much sheetmetal on it as possible and blow it with a light paint job just to clean it up,add a V top on it and try to rehab the trim as much as possible and use it for a while as a ratty survivor type car.You could spend a fortune in repop trim parts and soft items after that car was made solid again.I might be inclined to get it back into a survivor state and then pass it off to a guy who really wanted to put the effort into a bolt and nut resto.
The fact is that as bad as that car looks,that car is actually better to start with thn some of the shiny bondo buckets I have seen at cruise nights.At least you know what you have to do with that car.Noting is worse then having to pay for the shine on a car only to know you are going to rip it all off anyway just to redo it right.With a car like that the situation can only get better as you go.
BTW,that chevelle is my all time favorite chevelle combo.I am a Camaro man,but my all time must have chevelle would be a blue with black Vtop 68 with a bigblock and a stick.I live in Jersey,so if that car ever comes up for sale and you dont want it Email me at [email protected] want to do a resto project someday instead of all the race stuff I do.I want to do a 70 SS396 camaro,but that Chevelle is actually very much to my liking too.

[Supercar_Kid]

Your ambition is admirable, but this car is really about as gone as they get. There is no solid metal left on it anywhere. I tried lifting the hood to get a peek at the trim tag and the whole front edge crumbled in my fingertips, and the under structure had completely separated from the outer skin. I wouldn't dare to guess what the chassis looks like, but the engine cradle and A-arms were badly rusted, and they were the only parts not completely buried in the dirt. The rearend housing had sunk entirely into the earth. This car has had obvious amateur body work done to it in the past, and by the looks of the inspection sticker, my guess is it had already fallen partially victim to the Pittsburgh winters way back in the early 70's. 72,000 is a good number of miles for a car that was only 6 or 7 years old when it was parked. My guess is the drivetrain has been gone since Nixon was in the white house. Take a look at the attached floor pan pic, and think about what it might take to make this car even an average cruise night car. My guess would be about $45,000 and countless man hours would still leave you with a piece-mobile at best. Cool to see them sitting like that, but if it was worth rescuing you can bet it'd be in my garage. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[PxTx]

Maybe you could salvage the posi carrier, but that sounds like about it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[camarojoe]

[ QUOTE ]
At least you know what you have to do with that car.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think what you have to do with that car Erik already did... take a few pics, spend a bit of time looking it over, and walk away. May it rust in peace. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[55chevy]

yeah and document the vins and data plate so they don't end up on Ebay or pop rivited to a factory 6 banger car http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[RichSchmidt]

You may be right about that car not being worth repair,but that is only because it isnt that rare of a car.I have seen cars restored with extensive repairs to the original frame,and complete new sheet metal.Heck I am restoring my race car and even I replaced every piece of metal on the car except the roofskin.I replace 2 full 1/4's,and really need to 2 the wheelhouses but I just fixed what was there.I added 2 full inner and out door structures,rockers,a trunk lid a tail panel 2 fenders a hood and front bumper along with every peice of trim and weatherstrip.I also had to replace the front subframe because it was bent and when I started on the car about 10 years ago I did major floorpan work and inner rockers.All of this was to restor a plain jane 1973 firebird esprit.when I started on the resto I was actually searching for a camaro to dump all the parts into now that I am finishing it I realize I could have made my firebird into a camaro if I had just ordered different parts.That car isnt any worse then that 69 bigblock convertable that was on Ebay a few months back.It had no front subframe not floors,rockers quarter or wheehouse and the car wa sbaout the break in half under it's own weight but I bet somebody restores it with about $20,000 with of new sheetmetal and a ton of welding wire and argon along with the front subframe out of a 4 door nova or something.Too bad nobody is as interested in that chevelle.
Now in reality I am no better then anybody else.I cut up 4 2nd gen firebirds just to restore the one I have.If it wasnt for the fact that I have been involved with this car i one way or another for over 15 years,I might have sent it to the scrap heap already.

[68TopStock]

What is the vin and cowl tag data?