The VIN for this 1968 Chevelle Convertible confirms that it is a genuine SS 396. Its original motor is long gone, but the engine bay houses another big-block as some compensation. The Convertible is begging for some TLC, and changed circumstances mean that the owner can’t provide the help it richly deserves. They hope that someone will be able to return this Chevelle to its former glory and its rightful place on our roads. Located in Foristell, Missouri, the SS is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has raced past the reserve and sits at $16,602.

I admit I twitched slightly when I first looked at this Matador Red Chevelle because it looks like it has been sitting exposed to the elements for a while. However, the news is not as bad as it might first seem. The story is long, but it has seen the Convertible spend more than thirty years in hibernation. The first two decades were in a Californian garage, with the balance spent undercover in its current location. While the circumstances haven’t been ideal, they could have been worse. The seller is candid about its overall condition. He intended to restore this classic but admits it will never happen on his watch. The paint looks tired, but the panels are relatively straight. The shredded Black soft-top had me worried because it would offer no protection if the car were exposed to the elements. However, keeping the vehicle covered means that its rust problems seem remarkably minor. The panel below the trunk lid has rusted following some previous damage, and the buyer would need to replace this as part of the restoration process. The driver’s side rear quarter panel reveals plenty of Bondo, making this another panel headed for replacement. The rest of the exterior looks respectable, with any issues being the type that patches would address. The state of the underside is unclear, but if the heavy surface corrosion on the trunk pan is indicative, there shouldn’t be any significant dramas awaiting the new owner. The glass looks good, and I think that the buyer could save most of the trim and chrome.

When it was shiny and new, a 396ci big-block called this Chevelle’s engine bay home. It is unclear which version it was, but the driver would have had at least 325hp under their right foot to send to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. With the ability to drive off the showroom floor and storm the ¼ mile in a neat 15 seconds, it’s little wonder that the SS 396 has developed legend status. Unfortunately, the original big-block has been gone for more than a decade, and a 454 of unknown specifications occupies its space. The seller indicates the motor had 5,000 miles on it when the car was placed into storage, and it hasn’t fired a shot in anger since. He is unsure whether it turns freely, but I would inspect everything carefully before hitting the key for the first time. After all, expensive grinding and crunching noises have a way of ruining an owner’s day. The buyer will face some choices in this build. Reviving the existing motor would seem possible, although they could search for a date-correct 396 to drop back under the hood. It is undeniable that this classic can never be numbers-matching, but a faithful refurbishment utilizing the correct drivetrain components would maximize its potential value.

I admire this owner’s candor because while he says that the Chevelle’s interior looked good, he acknowledges that it now needs a refresh. Potential buyers will be starting this process from a sound base. Apart from the missing radio, the interior appears complete. The only aftermarket additions are a column-mounted tach and some under-dash gauges. Therefore, spending $2,500 on an interior trim kit should return this aspect of the SS to its former glory.

The owner claims that this 1968 Chevelle is 1-of-2,286 SS 396 Convertibles produced during that model year, and my resources confirm that figure. That represents a mere 0.5% of the 464,699 Chevelles built in 1968. The rarity factor alone would be enough to justify returning this classic to its former glory. That the Chevelle SS 396 remains one of America’s most desirable muscle cars should seal the deal. This SS can never be numbers-matching, but locating a correct 396 to slot back into the engine bay should be possible as part of a faithful refurbishment. This Convertible has been waiting more than three decades for the TLC it richly deserves, and I hope that it receives it when it heads to its new home. Anything less would be an injustice.