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: 344297
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_1.jpeg
Views: 344297
Size: 276.3 KB

Name: tn_2.jpeg
Views: 4556
Size: 271.7 KB

Name: tn_3.jpeg
Views: 4712
Size: 270.8 KB

Name: tn_4.jpeg
Views: 4791
Size: 271.5 KB

Name: tn_5.jpeg
Views: 4609
Size: 247.6 KB

Name: tn_6.jpeg
Views: 4821
Size: 295.7 KB

Name: tn_7.jpeg
Views: 4665
Size: 138.8 KB

Name: tn_8.jpeg
Views: 4968
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: 4165
Size: 237.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine 1.jpeg
Views: 4290
Size: 248.7 KB

Name: tn_Engine2.jpeg
Views: 8372
Size: 232.1 KB

Name: tn_Engine3.jpeg
Views: 7771
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: 4689
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 1_interior pix3.jpeg
Views: 4689
Size: 131.8 KB

Name: 2_interior pix2.jpeg
Views: 4084
Size: 161.6 KB

Name: 3_interior pix4.jpeg
Views: 4356
Size: 198.8 KB

Name: 4_interior pix1.jpeg
Views: 4159
Size: 139.4 KB

Name: 5_Glove box contents including the real original POP and front license plate screws, with the c.jpeg
Views: 7397
Size: 131.1 KB

Name: 6_Interior is totally original.jpeg
Views: 7040
Size: 213.5 KB

Name: 7_interior pix.jpeg
Views: 4092
Size: 143.3 KB

Name: 8_interior pix5.jpeg
Views: 4175
Size: 116.3 KB

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

The important numbers!!

Name: Alternator number.jpeg
Views: 4433
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: block number.jpeg
Views: 4274
Size: 221.5 KB

Name: carb number.jpeg
Views: 6390
Size: 126.7 KB

Name: engine code stamp.jpeg
Views: 4791
Size: 132.4 KB

Name: radiator tag.jpeg
Views: 4560
Size: 87.8 KB

Name: trim tag.jpeg
Views: 8081
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: 10309
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1a_The unique to early 66 picture frame shift boot.jpeg
Views: 10309
Size: 212.4 KB

Name: 1b_Tag and buckle on Hamill deluxe belt.jpeg
Views: 9414
Size: 215.5 KB

Name: 1e_Proper 66 wiper arm, dull, shiny, then dull Trico blade holder with three rib blade.jpeg
Views: 6922
Size: 170.4 KB

Name: 1f_Original 3139 Holley carb.jpeg
Views: 4677
Size: 284.8 KB

Name: 2_Original dated plug wires with non-trademark R dist cap and 204 coil.jpeg
Views: 7455
Size: 183.1 KB

Name: 3_396 Chevelle only PS reservoir set up.jpeg
Views: 7331
Size: 165.7 KB

Name: 3a_unique to early '66 remote reservoir.jpeg
Views: 6513
Size: 159.3 KB

Name: 4_Early big block PS adjusting brace.jpeg
Views: 6111
Size: 195.4 KB

Name: 5_Air filter service sticker, also note circle S stamp.jpeg
Views: 6641
Size: 184.1 KB

Name: 6_Billet machined PCV valve.jpeg
Views: 4633
Size: 133.8 KB

Name: 7_lower radiator hose.jpeg
Views: 5089
Size: 161.8 KB

Name: 8_oil cannister.jpeg
Views: 7063
Size: 190.6 KB

Name: 8a_Small AC fuel pump.jpeg
Views: 8119
Size: 123.1 KB

Name: 8b_starter.jpeg
Views: 4379
Size: 221.1 KB

Name: 9_Both sets of original keys with knock-outs intact .jpeg
Views: 6632
Size: 127.2 KB

Name: 10_bellhousing.jpeg
Views: 4354
Size: 217.0 KB

Name: 11_Muncie M20 with shift linkage, backup switch and trans tag.jpeg
Views: 6184
Size: 131.4 KB

Name: 12_partial vin stamp.jpeg
Views: 6665
Size: 129.6 KB

Name: 13a_shift linkage.jpeg
Views: 4630
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: 5984
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14a_Black painted hub and drum assembly.jpeg
Views: 5984
Size: 166.4 KB

Name: 14b_wheelwell1 .jpeg
Views: 3878
Size: 77.7 KB

Name: 15_wheelwell2.jpeg
Views: 4088
Size: 100.5 KB

Name: 16_Frame markings.jpeg
Views: 4258
Size: 246.1 KB

Name: 17_frame stamp.jpeg
Views: 4305
Size: 211.2 KB

Name: 18_Marking on RF frame horn.jpeg
Views: 4263
Size: 254.9 KB

Name: 19_underside front.jpeg
Views: 5976
Size: 137.3 KB

Name: 20_driveshaft showing stripes.jpeg
Views: 4234
Size: 151.8 KB

Name: 21_floors.jpeg
Views: 4335
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 22_Gas tank blackout.jpeg
Views: 4299
Size: 113.7 KB

Name: 23_Underside 1.jpeg
Views: 4208
Size: 166.8 KB

Name: 24_underside 2.jpeg
Views: 4081
Size: 212.7 KB

Name: 25_Spring with tags.jpeg
Views: 6345
Size: 151.0 KB

Name: 26_Orange paint on body bushing.jpeg
Views: 4418
Size: 124.2 KB

Name: 27_Paint runs on crossmember.jpeg
Views: 6527
Size: 180.6 KB

Name: 28_Paint runs on quarter panel rear pinch weld.jpeg
Views: 5869
Size: 162.5 KB

Name: 29_rear diff 1.jpeg
Views: 4302
Size: 159.5 KB

Name: 30_rear diff 2.jpeg
Views: 4225
Size: 125.7 KB

Name: 31_original trunk mat.jpeg
Views: 4030
Size: 304.1 KB

Name: 32_Original Goodyear Powercushion spare on 6 code whee.jpeg
Views: 6871
Size: 195.7 KB

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

The all important docs!

Name: tn_Body Broadcast sheet.jpeg
Views: 3737
Size: 214.9 KB

Name: tn_Original Sales Invoice.jpeg
Views: 7184
Size: 157.8 KB

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

"By The Numbers"

Name: tn_By the numbers page 1.jpeg
Views: 5115
Size: 151.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 2.jpeg
Views: 5225
Size: 134.3 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 3.jpeg
Views: 5169
Size: 129.4 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 4.jpeg
Views: 5269
Size: 135.7 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 5.jpeg
Views: 6175
Size: 115.0 KB

Name: tn_By the numbers page 6.jpeg
Views: 5094
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: 3685
Size: 412.0 KB

Astock · #10 04-15-2021, 04:30 AM

Really nice!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

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.