Real code 138 SS. Factory 4-speed, L35 396/325, correct Butternut Yellow over black vinyl. Beautiful high-quality restoration a few years ago, recently tuned and engine bay detailed. Nicely optioned and lots of fun to drive!

We’ve always liked the more subtle colors on Chevy’s muscular Chevelle—the whole iron fist in a silk glove attitude works really well. That’s why this Butternut Yellow SS appeals to us so much—it doesn’t look as fast as it is. No spoilers, no stripes, no cowl induction hood, just a clean SS that walks softly and carries a big stick. Thanks to a very high quality restoration a few years ago, it’s in fantastic shape with laser-straight bodywork that shows extremely well. Good even gaps help, particularly with the light colored paint, and the car feels solid and well-constructed, something that’s not always a guarantee with a restoration. This is a real code 138 SS, so it has the right SS equipment, including the inserts on the hood and the blacked-out tail panel, not to mention correct Super Sport badging and ‘396 Turbo-Jet’ insignias on the front fenders. Even with the subtle color, nobody’s going to mistake this for anything else. We also love the flying buttress C-pillars, which are emphasized on cars without a vinyl roof, a clean, sleek look that’s really appealing. Nice bumpers, a beautiful grille, and reproduction lenses help with the crisp, sharp look.

The black bucket seat interior has an upscale look, which was surely the goal with the mid-sized Chevelle. This interior was fully restored, including new seat covers, door panels, carpets, and headliner, and it’s nicely optioned with a center console and clock, factory tach, and a factory AM radio. All the gauges are fully operational and with bright faces and new lighting, they look awesome at night, too. The tach kind of looks like an afterthought and does block the fuel gauge, but that is indeed how the factory did it—you’ll note the left turn signal indicator is built into its face. The big chrome shifter is linked to the original Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and with light clutch action, it’s a blast to rip it through the gears. The full-sized back seat means you can bring friends along for the ride and obviously the trunk is massive—even with a full sized spare and jack assembly, there’s plenty of room for your gear. And you’ll also find a proper reproduction mat, spatter-finish paint, and no signs of trouble underneath.

The 325 horsepower 396 cubic inch V8 under the hood has all the right markings—EM suffix code for a 1967 325 horsepower 396 with a 4-speed, an 01/04/67 assembly date that’s perfect for the car’s first week of February build date, and a 3855961 casting number—everything lines up like it should. We’re a little confused by the hand-stamped numbers, which we believe were from a rebuild at some point in the car’s past, but we’ll leave it to the experts to debate the finer details. It certainly appears to be the car’s original engine. Either way, it starts easily, idles with a menacing rumble, and pulls HARD out on the road. Someone did their homework here. It’s a little grumpy when it’s cold, but after about 30 seconds it's ready to rumble and rips through the gears with authority thanks to what feel like 4.10 gears out back. The engine has been recently serviced and detailed so it’s wearing correct Chevy Orange enamel, chrome valve covers, and the big open element air cleaner up top. Little stuff is right too; check out the tower hose clamps, spring-loaded battery terminals, and GM markings on the hoses. Power steering and power front disc brakes are included, so it’s easy to handle and feels confident in traffic. The undercarriage is just as nicely finished with reproduction decals and correct markings as needed, and aside from the Flowmaster mufflers, it’s pretty much as the factory did it. The floors appear to be original and in excellent shape and there are no nasty surprises waiting in the corners. The 12-bolt rear end is virtually indestructible and the stance is exactly right—not too low but a bit aggressive. Beautiful Rally wheels are the right choice and carry 215/70/15 redline radials for a period look and modern handling.

Documentation includes a folder full of receipts for much of the recent work.

We like these low, sleek Chevelles more than their later siblings just because they look like a car that a grown-up should own. It’s brutally fast and speaks with an authoritative voice, and as a real code 138 SS with a 4-speed, it will always be treated with respect. Add in the beautiful color combination, comfortable interior, and strong pedigree, and you get a Chevelle that’s worth putting in your garage. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.