Photo from the CC Cohort by robadr.
Just a couple of days ago I posted a ’66 Chevelle Malibu find, looking more or less the way I used to see them around my high school grounds. As a counterpoint, this ’68 showed up at the Cohort, fixed up to the preferred looks of today. So, rather than a ‘used to be, a ‘what many wished it to be’ back in my high school days.
You see, there were many of these 1960s Chevrolets all the way to the late ’80s in my Puerto Rican hometown. One, a slightly worn ’68 or ’69 black Chevelle with mags, belonged to a young coworker of my Mom’s who lived in our street. And the low V8 rumble coming out of the car’s tailpipe as he returned home in the late afternoon was one of the highlights of living in that neighborhood.
And I have a strong feeling that he would approve of this ’68 one, as it probably was the Chevelle of his dreams.
Related CC reading:
The rumble is a delight. I was the happy owner of a 71 SS Chevelle Malibu for a few years in the late 90’s. Fender call out stated “396” but they never left the factory that way. Actually a 402, without any badging, only the “SS” tag on display. Same engine really. Cruising down the road in this black beauty was surreal.
Interesting tidbit about the 1971 Chevelle SS396 no longer having the engine call-out underneath the SS badges, particularly since the SS454 retained the call-out.
I can only surmise it was a nod to the relatively minor increase in size from 396 to 402 and the marketing guys didn’t want to create a whole new campaign for a very similar engine option when the take-rate was rapidly declining. Plus, it would only add to the confusion with the new, small-block 400.
Ah yes, the SB400….I almost bought a new 70 Monte Carlo with a SB400. Glad I didn’t.
These Chevelle coupes are just beautiful. I went to high school in the early ’70’s and remember that these cars were listed after, by almost every young guy I knew. A few lucky guys had them as four or five year old cars. The rest dreamed. I suppose that there are a lot of guys that decided to finally get one, set up the way that they dreamed about, for so long. I hope that they enjoy them.
Would one rather be in the backseat of this, or the ’66 Chevelle from a few days ago? I think the latter
66 for sure, the short wheelbase of the 68+ coupes made these besically plus sized pony cars
I loved and greatly miss my 1968 Chevelle four door ex S.P.D. Metro car .
It looked great and was the right size, easy to drive and park, cheap to operate .
-Nate