1966 Chevelle SS 396 - Documented 1 Owner Car

[msclassiccars]

1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS - Documented One Owner.

Our most special car ever!

Over the years, MS Classic Cars has had the privilege of buying and selling some of the finest collector cars in the world. Provenance plays a big part in my purchases, so when I discovered the listing for a 1-owner 1966 Chevelle SS-396 for sale, I acted quickly. After the initial phone call, I knew finding this car was something special and exactly why I founded MS Classic Cars years ago.

"The original owner’s names are Robert and Karen Chvala, Jr. who lived in Omaha, Nebraska. Bob worked as a mechanic for Dewey Smith Chevrolet Company, also located in Omaha, Nebraska. Bob was currently driving a 1960 Chevrolet convertible, but he wanted a new Chevelle, so he decided to trade his car in. He ordered this Chevelle exactly the way he desired, which included the special-order color combination of a Regal Red exterior and Ivory imitation leather with black trim interior. The factory options would include a black vinyl top, tinted glass, power steering, PB radio, console, Astro bucket seats, 360HP Turbojet V8, 4-speed transmission, and Positraction rear axle with 3.55 gears. This Chevelle was built in Kansas City, Missouri, on the second week of June. Since it was labeled sold, it was delivered to the dealership very quickly. Bob and Karen completed all the paperwork on June 16th, 1966, which is fully documented. The original documentation includes the Bill of Sale, Retail Installment Contract, Bank Life Insurance Certificate, Chevrolet Owner Protection Plan that’s referred to as the Warranty Protect-O-Plate and the actual Nebraska title from 1966. Yes, this Chevelle still has the original Nebraska title in Bob and Karen’s name. All the original documentation is included. The original dealership Cars Owner’s Companion folder, original factory owner’s manuals, and original dealership Chevrolet brochures are also included. Prior to taking delivery of the Chevelle, it was undercoated at the dealership, as noted on the Bill of Sale. Bob and Karen provided a letter that was labeled “This is a story of our 1966 Chevelle SS 396”. This letter was signed by both Bob and Karen on October 13th, 2021. It was then notarized on October 15th, 2021. This letter along with an All-Purpose Acknowledgment with notary is included. As the letter states, “The family car was used to take our kids back and forth to school and on many trips. The boys loved this car because it was really fast and was very different from the other cars in the parking lot at their baseball games. Karen went to work as a Laboratory Technician, so we bought a racing boat and now the Chevelle was pulling the racing boat to various races.” In the mid 70’s Bob decided to go through the mechanics of the car. He parked the Chevelle in the garage with roughly 59,000 miles to service the engine, transmission, and rear end. To be clear, the engine, transmission and rear end weren’t rebuilt but were completely serviced. Once it was completed he delivered the car to a friend who was going to do body work and paint. The car did have minor rust on the driver’s side rear quarter and the paint was starting to show its age. Unfortunately, the car sat at his friends in a garage for 22 years and was never painted. At this point in time, Bob and Karen decided to complete the job and they took it to a restoration shop. As Bob and Karen stated in the letter, “Big decisions lie ahead. For example, we added date-coded plug wires, heater hoses, diodes in the alternator, all new glass, and we had the stock front and rear bumpers rechromed. And that wasn’t all. There were hundreds of decisions yet to be made. After getting the car back home completely restored, we entered many car shows.” This car achieved many awards over the years at various car shows. Fifteen of those awards are listed below, pictured in the photo gallery, and are included. This car was also featured in the Chevelle World magazine, January/February 2003, Volume 8 issue, and is also included. The car was taken to most of the car shows in an enclosed trailer and didn’t see much of the roads after the restoration. Unfortunately, Bob’s health declined over the years and the Chevelle wasn’t used very often. In 2021, Bob and Karen made the decision to sell the vehicle they had owned for fifty –five years. On October 4th, 2021 Bob and Karen sold the Chevelle to MS CLASSIC CARS. The car was picked up by Plycar Automotive Logistics with an enclosed trailer and photos from that day are pictured in the photo gallery."

Even though the vehicle is not actively for sale due to being on hold, I just had to share the Chevelle and the story with everyone.

Please visit our website for additional photos and a complete description.

[Steve Shauger]

Stunning car, and fantastic provenance! GLWS

[msclassiccars]

Originally Posted by Steve Shauger

Stunning car, and fantastic provenance! GLWS

Thank you Steve!

[PeteLeathersac]

'

What a beauty also hard to beat combo of color + options also one owner history!
Did the OO run the factory Steel Rims through the years or if Mags, what were they?

~ Pete

.

[Too Many Projects]

Nice car, but I'm surprised at all those awards and certification and the headlight bezels aren't correct ?

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Beautiful Car Marc. Thanks for sharing it!

[msclassiccars]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

Nice car, but I'm surprised at all those awards and certification and the headlight bezels aren't correct ?

Thank you for the comment. The awards that were received are not from concours juding events. The events were based on condition, etc. Jerry MacNeish of Camaro Hi-Performance also doesn't get into every detail of what's correct or not. The main objective with his report is to verify original documentation, vin tag, trim tag, engine numbers, transmission numbers and rear end numbers. If the new owner decides to he or she can make the car 100% correct. Thanks again.

[msclassiccars]

Originally Posted by MYSTERYCHEVELLE

Beautiful Car Marc. Thanks for sharing it!

Thank you! Keep up the good work.

[msclassiccars]

Originally Posted by PeteLeathersac

'

What a beauty also hard to beat combo of color + options also one owner history!
Did the OO run the factory Steel Rims through the years or if Mags, what were they?

~ Pete

.

Not sure, would be cool to see the car in Day 2 guise.

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by Too Many Projects

Nice car, but I'm surprised at all those awards and certification and the headlight bezels aren't correct ?

Hi Mitch,

I love these 66-67 Chevelle 396 cars, but I need some education on your comment that the headlight bezels aren’t correct on this particular ‘66.

I have compared it’s bezels to the ones on a Survivor ‘66 and I’m not seeing any difference.

Help.

Thanks, Chris.