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#1
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Bill Wente's 1967 Chevelle SS396 Convertible
Bruce, story of the maroon 1967 Chevelle SS396 Convertible.
Fall Carlisle PA swap meet, 1979. Not really looking for a car, but this caught my attention because it had interesting options but mostly it was largely unmolested with original paint and was a virtually rust free N.C. car. A deal was quickly made ($1,700) so the seller could catch a ride back to Charlotte. 1,000 miles and 10 quarts of oil later I had it back in Iowa. In 1982 with a couple buddies we went to Spring Charlotte AutoFair and continued to roam N.C., stopping at the original selling dealer, Bennett Chevrolet in Hamlet/Rockingham N.C. The sales manager gave me an assortment of dealer memorabilia including the era correct fob that is now with the keys. 1983, with the promise to accomplish a "restoration", I blew it apart and took it to a friends garage. There it sat for almost 25 years while I was busy with business and family obligations, along with a few other Chevelle endeavors. About 2007 I retrieved it from "paint jail" and it went to another friends garage where the true 2-stall garage restoration began. The body was placed on a jig for minor metal repair and prep. leading to paint. while I brought the chassis home for restoration. In 2009 I rebuilt the born-with 396 and installed it in another Chevelle for 200 miles of break-in. By 2010 with the body was back on the chassis and the Madeira Maroon BC/CC applied to all panels it was back in my garage, where it sat for several more years. (One of my pix shows it during this time period). Over several years I was restoring various sub-assemblies, and sending things out for plating etc, bumpers, engine chrome, brake master cylinder, booster and calipers, bolts and hardware, top frame, etc. NOS aluminum trim was sent for polishing and re-anodizing. Beginning in the 1970s I had accumulated a stash of NOS '67 Chevelle trim and parts that I might need for future restorations. 2018, this car came to the top of my priority list with a goal of MCACN 2019. The front clip was installed and it went to another friends garage to install the top. We had very limited convertible top experience, so this was a bit of a challenge, as the framework had been blown apart for paint and detail, and all operation and adjustments including side glass gaps and fit began from scratch, prior to fabric install. The power top hydraulics were restored also and a final color sand and buff/wax was completed. Spring, summer, fall 2019, back in my shop, engine and trans installed and bringing all the restored original parts back together. Dash, seats and other interior restoration completed and installed. I duplicated original chassis, suspension, date stamps, stickers, tags and inspection marks referencing pics I had taken decades ago. Also I am fortunate enough to have a 12,000 mile unrestored SS that came off the same assembly line (Baltimore) 60 days after this car that was a constant reference. November 2019, wrapping up final details and three weeks of thorough cleaning began in earnest, completed the evening before the 4 hour trip for Rosemont, IL. (pic of loading). I included 3 pix of my youngest (age 5) grandson helping install the front tires. He is totally nuts over anything with wheels and a motor and dived in to help like he'd done it a hundred times. Also,please excuse me for bragging up my grandson, there’s also a picture of Bennett at age four with the book of his choice from the library. Whenever he comes he needs to sit in each car and sometimes go for a ride. Thanks so much for considering my car for Member's Rides, I am honored!! Bill Wente Maroon convert specs:
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Bruce Choose Life-Donate! |
#6
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And off to the Muscle Car And Corvette Nationals...
And inside and on display!
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Bruce Choose Life-Donate! |
#7
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The last shot, the storyboard...
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Bruce Choose Life-Donate! Last edited by Xplantdad; 03-09-2020 at 03:09 AM. |
#8
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Bill,
Stunning, just stunning.....I have owned my Chevelle since 1978, I only wish my Chevelle turns out as good as yours one day. Well done my friend. Dan
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69 300 Deluxe Post Sedan Frost Green 69 SS396 300 Deluxe Post Sedan Lemans Blue SOLD 70 Buick Skylark Post Sedan Gulfstream Blue 70 Buick Skylark Post Sedan Burnished Saddle http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PM3DE8qI2NY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn4xEmGypUw |
The Following User Says Thank You to Postsedan For This Useful Post: | ||
67since67 (03-10-2020) |
#10
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Bill, what a beautiful car. It appears you like all things '67. You made the most recent issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines, also. Congratulations.
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The Following User Says Thank You to TimG For This Useful Post: | ||
67since67 (03-10-2020) |
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