This ’67 SS396 Chevelle is Loaded with Rare Options
Mid-’60s muscle cars usually lived up to the original concept – stuff a big engine into a mid-size car to create a relatively basic street performer. There were exceptions, though, since buyers could order exactly what they wanted, provided they were willing to pay for options and wait for the factories to create their specific dream car. In the case of this 1967 Chevelle SS396 convertible, someone wanted a lot of options!
For Scott and Tina Johnston, their heavily optioned ’67 Chevelle SS396 convertible is rare enough, simply because only 3,307 of the 63,000 SS396 Chevelles produced that year were convertibles. Include the fairly rare color choice – Deepwater Blue – and the car moves higher on the scarcity scale. Of the more than 400,000 Chevelles produced that year approximately 11,000 were painted Deepwater Blue. (Footnote: Chevy did not break out color numbers by model, only total production in those days.)
The Johnstons’ journey with this rare Super Sport began 30 years ago when they first acquired it. The car needed a total restoration, which started with rebuilding the drivetrain and mechanicals. As is often the case, life intervened as the couple raised a family, which delayed much of the remaining work, like bodywork, paint, and upholstery. A quarter century later, those elements of the restoration finally came to fruition.
Power for the Chevelle comes from the 350-horsepower version of the 396c.i. big block. The mid-range engine – a $105 option over the base 325-horsepower 396 – produces 415 lb-ft of torque and has a 10.25:1 compression ratio. A four-barrel carburetor sits on a cast iron intake. Power flows through a M21 close-ratio four-speed to a Positraction rearend with 3.73 gears. Power disc front brakes and rear drums are wrapped in factory Rallye wheels with redline tires.
Step into the interior and the heavy load of options is obvious. Many interior comforts that are standard on most modern cars were options in ’67, especially on Chevrolets. This Chevelle has factory air (a $356 option), factory tachometer ($47.40), tilt steering column ($42.15), headrests on the bucket seats ($52.70), power windows ($100.10), power convertible top ($52.70), power seats ($69.55), and the AM/FM Multiplex radio ($133.80) cruise control and more. (Historical footnote: Headrests on cars sold in America were not mandatory until 1969.)
The Johnstons give credit to Mark Anderson for the bodywork, Joe Carney for the Deepwater Blue paint, and Sonny Garcia for the upholstery work, all of which came together to make this Chevelle a standout. Even with the long delay in the restoration and challenges tracking down original parts, the Johnstons say they enjoyed the process and look forward to driving their piece of American history.
“The build and the car are my dream,” Scott says. “I feel it is the ultimate muscle car that is highly optioned with many factory NOS parts.”
Photos by Todd Ryden
