Bill Wente's 1967 Chevelle SS396 Convertible
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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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Bill's youngest grandson Bennett-a gearhead already!
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And off to the Muscle Car And Corvette Nationals...
Attachment 160139 And inside and on display! Attachment 160140 Attachment 160141 |
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The last shot, the storyboard...
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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 |
Great story - thanks for sharing. I enjoyed seeing it at MCACN.
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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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That is a spectacular '67, congrats on keeping it that long and persevering to get it done.
A lot of people probably would have given up on it. Love the MM paint as well. |
Very nice car! 3 speed too.. Congratulations..
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Saw it at MCACN in person. Beautiful car!!
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Bill, absolutely stunning restoration. Hope you bring this car to the Carolina Chevelle show this fall. Most likely the car never left NC tell you bought it. You can send to the NCDMV form MVR-605A and get copy's of the MSO and titles. Here is a link to the form.
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/downloads/...s/MVR-605A.pdf Let me know if I can help. Bob |
Believe it or not, the car is even more beautiful in person. Absolutely stunning! Great story! Great owner! Bill is a true gentlemen of the hobby!
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I would like to thank Bill for sharing his wonderful Chevelle with all of us-and the story that goes along with it.
You'd be hard pressed to find a nicer guy than Bill! :beers: |
Beautiful Chevelle. I saw it at MCACN last year and it is gorgeous! Bravo on the restoration.
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Always a pleasure to see you and Jane but this year even more special to see the 67 at MCACN! Beautiful restoration of a real deal SS convert, congrats!
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A Shout Out to Bruce, thank you for taking the time to do the spread on my 'ol rag top!!! Bruce, is there ANYONE in the world of musclecars that you don't know???
Thanks to all who posted or gave a "Thanks", all are very much appreciated!! :beers: In these uncertain times, stay safe everyone, and as I am doing, get out in the shop working on a future MCACN candidate! Bill W |
Thank you again Bill! Stay safe. Hope to see you in November (if this craziness is done by then!):youguysrock:
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I was one of your judges at MCACN - I was the youngest of the 4 man judging team so they sent me under the cars. The attention to detail was fantastic on the under carriage. Great Job. Sorry if I appeared a bit out of it during the judging, I was experiencing pain from a Kidney stone all weekend.
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Thanks Mark! I was aware that you were suffering, you weren't your usual self.
You will see this car again at NOCC '21. |
67 Chevelle
Bill great job on the Chevelle! I have a soft spot for the Madeira Maroon as thats what my first 67 was. Love the attention to detail on the Bellhousing. Thats just how mine was painted when I removed it for clutch replace in 1970. Tom
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Stunning !
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Very nice work. Love the painstaking attention to detail.
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Beautiful Chevelle Bill!
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Today (Thursday) was a good day! The maroon SS convert was delivered in February 1967 by Russell Bennett Chevrolet to Mr Robert D. Gathings of East Rockingham North Carolina.
As I was planning on taking the Chevelle to the Carolina Chevelle Association show at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, we left a day early and traveled on to Hamlet, a small community just east of Rockingham for some pix at the former location of Bennett Chevrolet, 32 Raleigh St. Hamlet. I have had intentions of doing this for quite a few years. The car has fared a bit better than the building, which is now a second hand thrift shop. Directly across the street is a mural of jazz musician John Coltrane who was born a couple blocks away. Credit is due to Jeff Helms for assisting me in locating the building and also tracking down history on the OO. Thank you Jeff!! Mr Gathings passed away in 1987 with no family. I was able to make contact with a nephew who gave me some interesting background on "Uncle Bobby". The original 1967 tag was on the front when I bought the car, now it is back on the rear where it belongs. Bill W |
Super cool Bill! Thanks for sharing and she looks great as always.
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That's a wonderful photo, Bill. The building looks great and so does your Chevelle.
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Well done, Bill. The history is priceless and love the car sitting in front of the building. Together again 55 years later!!!
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I envision the Chevelle sitting on this very spot when "Bobby" took delivery on February 3rd 1967.
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Awesome Bill, thanks for sharing, again! :headbang:
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Bill has an awesome display of cars at his place...I was fortunate to get a tour.
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Thanks for sharing the great pics Bill.Chevelle looks saweeet!
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That is really one helluva car and restoration Bill. In fact, all your cars car killer!
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That’s so neat! Thanks for sharing Bill. Just adds to the mystique of an already amazing car!
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Looks great Bill!!
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It was still looking great last Saturday!!
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Dustin (dustinm) was there! |
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