132629 / 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport

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Cars like this amazing 1966 Chevelle are so nice that they stand above the regular car show crowd. The details shine through, the level of workmanship makes even nice amateur cars look shabby, and, well, when you show up with this car you can pretty much expect to take home the big trophy. It's just that nice.

The silver bodywork is perfect for this low-profile rod, because it allows all the details to really shine through. That isn't to say the paint and sheet metal aren't exquisite, because they are, but it means that onlookers aren't blown away simply with color. This is a car that invites people to look closer and spend some time admiring everything it has to offer. Laser-straight panels, excellent and even gaps, and crisp detailing like the character line that runs through the quarter panels all make this a car that will stand out in a crowd no matter what color they're painted. Subtlety is an art, and the guy who built this car is a master of it. Note how there are no distortions in the reflections, no orange peel in the paint, and no breaks in the flow of the bodywork; that doesn't just happen by accident. It's the difference between assembling a car and crafting a car, and the two are miles apart in terms of time, money, and effort.

Under the hood, well, it's a different story, now featuring 502 cubic inches of big block Chevy as the star of the show. The inner fenders and firewall have been smoothed and finished to the same high standards as the body, providing the ideal canvas for the industrial-strength engine. Modern upgrades include a billet accessory drive system that uses a serpentine belt for reliability, along with power steering, power brakes and modern A/C. A massive aluminum radiator with a custom stainless shroud keeps all 502 cubic inches ice cold no matter what you're doing, and it rumbles through a set of beautifully crafted ceramic-coated headers.

Underneath, it's still a Chevelle, but there's a lot of new stuff, including a 6-speed manual transmission feeding a beautifully finished 12-bolt rear axle. The front suspension has been heavily reworked, now using coil-over shocks and polished A-arms, along with a massive sway bar. In back, it's largely stock, but boxed control arms, heavy-duty springs, another big sway bar, and a set of adjustable air shocks effectively put down the power without adversely affecting ride quality. Baer supplied a complete set of disc brakes fore and aft that look dazzling behind those gorgeous American Racing wheels with Goodyear RS-A radials that give it the perfect stance.

The interior is a superb blend of original, restored components and custom pieces that work like the exterior to create something new. The seats and door panels have been upholstered in reproduction covers, and the center console remains in place, albeit augmented by a 6-speed shifter. The controls for the Vintage Air A/C system replace the originals in the dash, and there's a powerful AM/FM/cassette stereo system in the original location. The trunk uses correct spatter finish paint and a new mat, and the battery has been relocated for better weight distribution. There's also a matching spare aluminum wheel and tire, necessary to clear the larger brake rotors in case worse comes to worst.

So I feel sorry for all the other guys with their nice cars that will show up next to this one at the next cruise night. Cars like this redefine the scale, and even a novice can see how nice this car really is. On the other hand, it will be you behind the wheel and going up to the podium to accept the trophy, because this is one killer Chevelle. Beautifully executed and wonderfully subtle (if a 502 big block can be such a thing), this is a great car for the guy who wants the best of both worlds. Call today!