Why This Car Is Special

The 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 is widely regarded as one of the most complete muscle car packages Chevrolet ever put together. In its second year of production, the SS 396 had already found its stride — offering buyers a purpose-built performance package with real factory credentials rather than a parts-bin special. This particular 1966 Chevelle SS 396 is a convertible, which adds a layer of desirability that hardtop coupes simply cannot match. Convertibles represented a small fraction of total Chevelle SS production in 1966, and those built with the L34 396 are rarer still.

What makes this car particularly significant is the engine under the hood. The L34 was the middle-ground big block in the 1966 SS 396 lineup — rated at 360 horsepower from the factory and sitting between the base 325-hp L35 and the top-of-the-line 375-hp L78. The L34 used a hydraulic-lifter camshaft and a Holley four-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold. It was a strong, streetable combination that gave buyers most of the L78's performance with more daily drivability. This is not a small-block car that someone stuffed a 396 into — the VIN confirms it was built from the factory as an SS 396, assembled at the Kansas City plant in 1966. That matters to serious collectors.

The restoration on this car was no weekend project. The total investment pushed into six-figure territory, and it shows in every panel, every seam, and every component underneath. This is a show winner, and the quality of the work backs that up.

Features List

• 396 cubic inch L34 Big Block V8, 360 horsepower
• Turbo-Hydramatic TH400 3-speed automatic transmission
• GM 12-bolt positraction rear axle
• Power front disc brakes
• Power steering
• Power convertible top
• Factory air conditioning
• SS dash with full gauges including tachometer
• Custom Auto Sound stereo system
• US Mags 20-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels
• PPG base coat/clear coat finish
• Bumper guards, front and rear
• Show award winner

Mechanical

The L34 396 was one of the more capable engines available in a production American car in 1966. Displacing 396 cubic inches, the engine produced 360 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque through a hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft, 10.25:1 compression, and a 625-cfm Holley four-barrel. The chrome "Turbo-Jet 396" air cleaner badge is period-correct and visible in the engine bay photos. The engine bay has been restored to show standards with correct orange block paint, chrome dress pieces, and a detailed underside.

Backing the L34 is a Turbo-Hydramatic TH400 automatic transmission, which was the strongest automatic gearbox GM offered in this era. The TH400 was used across GM's performance and heavy-duty lineup through the late 1960s and well into the 1970s. It is a robust, well-understood unit that holds up well behind big-block power. You can see the TH400 pan clearly in the undercarriage photos — it is clean and freshly detailed.

Out back, the car runs a GM 12-bolt rear axle, the strongest passenger-car rear end GM produced in the 1960s. The 12-bolt has a wider ring gear than the 10-bolt and a stronger pinion support, which is why it remained the preferred axle for big-block SS cars. The axle housing and pumpkin have been refinished and are clearly visible in the undercarriage shots.

Power front disc brakes were a factory option on the 1966 Chevelle SS and represent a meaningful upgrade over the standard drum setup. Combined with power steering, this car drives more like a modern vehicle than most period muscle cars. The undercarriage photos show clean, freshly coated framing with no rust, no patch panels, and no shortcuts.

An Alloyworks aluminum radiator has been fitted for improved cooling capacity — a smart upgrade on a big-block convertible that may see extended driving in warm Florida weather.

Interior

The 1966 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible interior has been fully restored in Regal Red vinyl, and the photos confirm the quality of the work. Every surface — seats, door panels, carpet, kick panels — is consistent in color, texture, and fit. The pleated bench seat upholstery is straight and tight. Door panels show the correct chrome trim strips and window crank hardware in good order. The carpet lies flat with no lifting at the edges, a detail that separates a professional interior job from a rushed one.

The SS-specific dash is in place with full instrumentation, including the column-mounted tachometer that was a hallmark of the Super Sport package. The Super Sport designation badge is present on the dash, clearly legible in the photos. The woodgrain-accented steering wheel is the correct Chevrolet-style unit for the period. An aftermarket Custom Auto Sound head unit has been integrated into the original radio cavity, giving the car modern audio capability without gutting the dash.

Factory air conditioning vents are present at the base of the dash and functioning, which is a welcome feature in any Florida summer. The convertible top mechanism operates via the factory power top system. The black folding top is clean and fits correctly when raised, showing no gaps at the header or quarters.

Exterior

The exterior of this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible was finished in PPG base coat/clear coat, which is a professional-grade two-stage finish rather than a single-stage lacquer or enamel. The deep red color is consistent across all body panels with no visible color mismatch at the doors, hood, or rear quarters. Panel fit is correct throughout. The chrome bumpers — front and rear — are show-quality, and the bumper guards front and rear are present and properly fitted.

The SS 396 badging on the grille and rear bumper panel is correct for the 1966 model year. The twin headlight grille with its horizontal blades and SS 396 center badge is one of the cleaner grille designs of the mid-1960s muscle car era, and this one shows well. The 1966 Chevelle received a mild facelift from the 1965 model, with a revised grille, updated taillamp treatment, and revised body trim — this car shows all of those details correctly.

Rolling stock consists of US Mags wheels in a staggered fitment — 20-inch up front and 18-inch in the rear — wrapped in performance tires. The undercarriage photos confirm the tire sidewalls read X-Twenty. This is a restomod wheel and tire combination that improves the car's stance and road manners compared to factory 14-inch steel wheels. The undercarriage itself is coated in black undercoating and shows clean, solid floor pans with no holes, no rust blisters, and no evidence of prior accident damage.

Conclusion

The 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible does not come up often in this condition. Finding a genuine L34 big-block SS convertible — not a clone, not a coupe conversion — that has been through a legitimate, documented, six-figure total restoration and has already earned show recognition is genuinely uncommon. This car is equipped with power disc brakes, power steering, factory air conditioning, and a power top, which means it has the comfort features to be driven regularly, not just trailered to shows. The drivetrain combination of the L34 396 and TH400 is proven and well-supported by the parts and restoration community. The undercarriage photos show exactly the kind of floor pan and frame condition that separates a real restoration from a cosmetic one.

If you have been searching for a 1966 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible that is ready to show and ready to drive, this is a car worth a close look.

Call Skyway Classics at 941-254-6608 to schedule a walk-around or to speak with one of our team members about this 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Convertible.

Disclaimer

Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.