1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
A-body · New Coke-bottle body and the first year the SS 396 was its o... · The first year SS 396 stood on its own
Highly Collectible
Production & Overview
Total Production
72,272
Original MSRP
$2,776
Assembly Plants
Multiple GM plants (Baltimore, Kansas City, Fremont and others)
Wheelbase
115 inches
Body Styles
Sport Coupe · Convertible
Curb Weight
Unknown
Notable Packages & Production
SS 396 series — 138
twin hood bulges, blacked-out grille and rear panel, SS 396 grille and rear emblems
2-3x a comparable Malibu
72,272
produced
L78 396/375 — L78
Solid-lifter 396 — the rarest 1966 SS engine
2-3x a standard SS 396
ultra rare
Available Engines
L35 396ci — V8
Standard SS 396 engine
325 hp
L34 396ci — V8
Hotter cam and higher compression
360 hp
L78 396ci — V8
Solid lifters, aluminum intake — released late in the year, very few built
375 hp
Buyer Checklist
⚠ Clone warning: The 138 VIN proves a real SS 396 — Malibus dressed as SS cars start with 136. Always verify with cowl tag, engine stamp, and registry before purchase.
VIN must start 138 — a 136 is a Malibu
Check the block pad for the engine suffix code and partial VIN
Decode the cowl tag for paint, trim and build date
L78 claims need strong documentation — very few were built
Inspect floors, trunk pan, lower quarters and rear window channel
Check the frame, especially behind the rear wheels
Confirm SS-specific trim: hood bulges, grille and rear emblems
Convertibles: check the top frame and cowl for leaks
Known Problem Areas
Malibus cloned into SS 396s
Replaced engines — many were blown up in period
Rear window channel and trunk rust
Frame rust behind the rear wheels
Missing or reproduction SS trim
What Drives Value
↑ Increases Value
138 VIN with original 396
L78 375hp with documentation
L34 360hp
4-speed manual
Convertible
↓ Decreases Value
Malibu clone
Non-original engine
Frame rust
Powerglide on a high-horsepower car (lower demand)
Restoration Overview
Difficulty
Medium
Parts Availability
Very good — Chevelle parts widely reproduced
Driver Quality Cost
$25,000 – $45,000
Show Quality Cost
$60,000 – $110,000
Key Suppliers
Ausley's Chevelle Parts · National Parts Depot · Classic Industries
Pop Culture & Legacy
The SS 396 became Chevrolet's mid-size answer to the GTO
1966 started the Chevelle body style that ran through 1967
Other Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Years