There remains a fear among some enthusiasts that the supply of desirable barn finds will slow to a trickle before disappearing entirely. If this 1967 Chevelle SS 396 is an accurate indication, that situation is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Muscle cars don’t come much more desirable than this, and it appears that the buyer will take possession of a vehicle that is ripe for restoration. Located in Douglasville, Georgia, you will find the SS listed for sale here on eBay. Frantic bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $32,100.

The seller dragged the Chevelle out of hiding, gave it a thorough clean, and was impressed with what they found. The Madera Maroon paint has seen better days, and there is evidence that a previous owner treated it to a repaint in this original shade many moons ago. Given its overall presentation, I suspect a repeat performance will be on the cards. The Black vinyl top looks respectable for its age, but a couple of bubbles under the vinyl on the passenger side rear pillar suggest that there may be something lurking beneath. If these spots prove to be rust, it will represent one of the few exterior issues. There might be a couple of additional bubbles in the driver’s side lower rear quarter panel, but they are small enough to tackle with patches. The owner reveals a couple of two-inch holes in the floors, but there seems to be little else in that area beyond surface corrosion. The news isn’t as positive with the trunk pan, but with replacement steel easy to find and cheap, most buyers will take that repair in their stride. The exterior trim is present, although both bumpers require attention. The front has a slight bend near the center, while the plating has lifted on the rear. The buyer could elect to restore the bumpers, although sourcing replacements could prove more cost-effective. The original owner ordered the SS with tinted glass, which remains in good order.

I would love to tell you that this Chevelle is numbers-matching, but I cannot do so. A Chevrolet dealership swapped out its original 396ci big-block V8 for a new 396 in 1969. Somebody has also ditched the two-speed Powerglide for a three-speed Turbo 350. That last change may also explain why the previous owner parked the SS in 1997. The seller has revived this classic but notes that the transmission slips badly in top gear. They haven’t investigated this issue further, with that task now falling to the buyer. Once they dragged the Chevelle home, the owner set to work bringing it back to life. They fitted a new fuel tank, sender unit, fuel pump, coil, points, a condenser, and rebuilt the carburetor. A complete set of belts and hoses, a new master cylinder, new wheel cylinders, and new brake lines are also on the parts list. The big-block starts first time and runs well. The seller believes that with the transmission issue addressed, the buyer should be able to hit the road for some classic motoring enjoyment.

This Chevelle’s interior could be the surprise of the party because its overall condition isn’t bad. The painted surfaces show corrosion, the carpet is shredded, and the dash pad is cracked. However, the paint will cost more time than money to fix, a carpet set will cost the buyer $220, and a dash pad would add a further $200 to the total. The only other flaw worth considering relates to a couple of small tears in the headliner. We don’t know if they are repairable, but if not, another headliner will cost around $190. Refreshingly for a vehicle of this type and age, there are no visible aftermarket additions. The factory radio remains in its rightful place, and the original owner added a touch of welcome comfort by ordering this beauty with air conditioning.

Sometimes it can be challenging to gauge the desirability of a classic car, but this 1967 Chevelle SS 396 leaves us with no room to doubt. It has already attracted an incredible forty-nine bids, and there’s plenty of time remaining on the auction for that figure to grow. It’s a shame that it isn’t numbers-matching, but this need not be the end of the world. It is still a classic ripe for refurbishment, and even non-original examples can command impressive prices. I won’t be surprised if the bidding nudges close to $40,000 before the hammer falls because a meticulous refurbishment could see the car command a value beyond $55,000. After decades in the wilderness, it seems to be set to receive a new lease on life. I have to say I believe that it’s about time somebody gave it a break. Do you agree?