1966-1968 SS396
1966
The Malibu SS series of 1964 and 1965 gave way to the SS396 series in 1966 and would continue as a separate series through the 1968 model year. These years continued the blacked-out grille and, to a limited number of 1966 SS396s, a blacked-out tail panel. It is believed some very early 1966 model year Atlanta-built SS396 Chevelles had their tail panels blacked out and possibly some very late model year 1966s as well but, for the most part, 1966 SS396s have lower body panel colored tail panels.
The SS396 was now more performance-oriented with three 396 cid engines possible. The 396cid/325hp engine was the base V8 in the SS396 with two optional 396 cid engines, RPO L34 (rated at 360hp in 1966 but 350hp in 1967 and 1968), and the RPO L78 396 CID engine rated at 375hp.
A floor-shifted manual 3-speed transmission and a front bench seat was now standard on all SS396 Chevelles. Three optional manual 4-speed transmissions were available as options, the wide ratio Muncie RPO M20, the close ratio Muncie ROI M21, and the heavy duty close ratio Muncie RPO M22 One automatic transmission, the RPO M35 Powerglide, was an option with the L35 and L34 396cid engines only, the L78 required a manual transmission. Red stripe 775x14 tires, steel wheels, and hub caps were standard SS396 equipment.
Although there was not an SS396 El Camino any 396cid engine could be ordered in both the 13480 and 13680 series El Caminos. The series designation for both 1966 and 1967 was 13817 for the sport coupe and 13867 for the convertible.
1967
The 1967 SS396 saw several body refinements from the 1966 SS396. All 1967 SS396 Chevelles now had a blacked-out rear cove as well as the typical black-out grille assembly. The L78 engine was dropped from the series initially but made a comeback in the March/April timeframe without much fanfare resulting in only 612 L78-optioned SS396s being sold. For some reason the heavy duty Muncie M22 close ratio transmission was also dropped for 1967 but a new for Chevelles 3-speed automatic transmission was now offered behind any 396cid engine.
A heavy duty manual 3-speed floor-shifted transmission and bench seat was standard equipment with the SS396 series. Also note the "SS" cap on the steering wheel, a 'new' feature for 1967.
Red stripe tires, now F70x14 size, steel wheels, and hub cap were still standard. New for 1967 Chevelles was a front disc brake equipment option that not only included the disc brakes but 14x6 'rally' wheels with bright center cap and trim ring. While this new rally wheel was not an option by itself in 1967, they could be purchased at any Chevrolet dealership over the counter. A twin-lower body stripe was standard on all SS396 Chevelles for 1967 - the only year stripes would be standard fare.
An optional stripe package RPO D96 was available with a wider lower stripe with the upper stripe extending over the wheel wells.
1968
The 1968 Chevelle saw a dramatic change in styling. Along with the new body style the series designation was changed from '13817' to '13837' for the 1968 SS396 sport coupe. The wider stripes were now optional on all SS396 body styles with pin stripes being standard. The lower body panel below the bright trim was black on all 1968 SS396 Chevelles. Like 1967, when full wheel covers were ordered, the center piece of the wheel cover noted the SS396. Federally mandated side marker lamps were first used in 1968.
The 1968 El Camino was finally offered as an SS396 with its own series designation of 13880. Disc brakes continued to be an option but the option did not include the rally wheel, a standard steel wheel was used. Rally wheels were now an option on any 1968 Chevelle under RPO ZJ7.
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1970 Chevelle SS396/SS454 Build Sheet Decode Program 1964-1972 Ship Manuals & Parts Catalog 1953-1972 Chevrolet Production Numbers |
