When you consider the production totals for 1968, the Chevelle SS 396 Convertible rates as a relatively rare beast. A mere 2,286 examples rolled off the Chevrolet line for that model year out of an SS 396 production total of 57,595. Our feature car is one of those, but it is a long way from being a numbers-matching classic. The seller has owned the car for more than thirty-five years, and he has taken that time to tailor it to his personal taste. He never envisaged parting with it but concedes that it is time for the SS to find a new home. Therefore, you will find this classic listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Twin Cities, Minnesota, and you could park it in your driveway for $65,000. A big thank you has to go out to Barn Finder rex m for spotting this fantastic classic for us.

It is hard to find much to criticize with this SS. I’m not sure that the Red paint that it wears is an original shade because it looks too vibrant to pass as Matador Red. If the owner has performed a color change, it will rate as one of the numerous changes that he has made. The overall presentation is stunning. The paint shines magnificently, and I’m struggling to find any defects. The owner had the exterior refinished around eight years ago, and it has had limited use since then. When it isn’t out terrorizing the roads, it spends its down-time in a warm garage. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence or mention of any rust problems. The trim and chrome appear to be in a showroom fresh state, while the glass is flawless. The owner has fitted aftermarket wheels, and they hint that this Chevelle might be something out of the ordinary.

Lifting the hood reveals an engine bay that would knock you back on your heels. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat your lunch, you could eat it off here with no qualms. The engine bay presents superbly, and I would rate it as close to show-quality. This is a genuine SS 396, but it is no longer numbers-matching. The owner has swapped one big-block for another because the 396 has made way for a built 427. The builder decked the block and fitted an Edelbrock intake and carburetor to get the mixture into the motor efficiently and a set of headers to help spent gases exit. Beyond that, the specifications are a mystery, but I suspect it would pin the occupants in their seats the moment the gas pedal is floored. There’s no point having a million horsepower if you can’t get it to the road effectively, so the seller has swapped the original transmission for a four-speed M22 “Rock Crusher.” Should the next owner manage to break this, he also includes an M21 in the deal. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the Chevelle starts or runs, but if the presentation provides a clear insight, this should be a jet awaiting a new pilot.

While the drivetrain has received a tweak or three, the owner indicates that the interior is original. If this is accurate, then it is remarkably well preserved. I can spot a column-mounted tach and some gauges under the dash to monitor the health of the brute under the hood, but the rest of it looks how it would’ve when the good people at Chevrolet added their finishing touches. The Black vinyl upholstery is flawless, with no evidence of wear or physical damage. The same is true of the carpet, while the dash and pad continue the theme. The buyer won’t find themselves with an interior loaded with optional extras. An AM radio looks to be about it, but who’d turn that on when the big-block would be singing a sweet tune as the car heads down the road?

Part of me looks at this 1968 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible and wishes that it were an unmolested numbers-matching classic. In that form, the Convertible will command a premium of around 20% over the equivalent Coupe version. However, it isn’t original, and that could have an impact on its potential value. In these situations, you can generally throw the rulebook out the window and work on the theory that the car will be worth whatever someone is willing to pay. When I look at its overall condition and what it has to offer its next owner, I believe the owner will eventually get his asking price. What do you think?