Muscle Cars 1960-1970s, 1964-1968 Chevelle SS 396

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was introduced in 1964. It was produced from 1964 thru 1977 and was one GMs most successful cars. Chevelle models ranged from economical family cars to powerful coupes and convertibles. The Malibu was at first the top trim level of the Chevelle line, and it replaced the Chevelle name entirely after 1977. The Chevelle chassis (reengineered on the GM A platform) provided the platform for the Monte Carlo, another of GMs success’s.

The Chevelle SS was Chevrolet’s entry into the muscle car battle. Early 1964 & 1965 Chevelle’s had a Malibu SS emblem on the rear quarter panel (the Z16 opotion had the emblem on the front fender, where 201 Malibu SS 396s were produced); after 1965, the Malibu SS emblem disappeared with the exception of cars sold in Canada. In 1966 the Chevelle SS, became a series of its own called the SS 396, it was the high performance version and had a separate line of engines and performance options. Performance engines included 396 – rated at 325, 350 and 375 hp (the mid hp 396 was rated at 360hp for 1966 only and 350hp thereafter). The SS 396 series lasted only three years, 1966 thru 1968.

For Chevelle lovers that wanted the high-performance mid-sized car with a hot small-block V8, the regular Chevelle and Malibu models were available with a 350-horsepower 327 cid V8(Coded L-79) in 1965 and 1966. The same engine was offered in 1967-68 models, only downrated (“on paper”) to 325 horsepower, the same as the standard 396
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