I'm a Mopar guy first but if I was buying a brand new GM product in 1968 it would be a Chevelle SS 396/375- 4 speed with the L89 aluminum head option. The L78 396 is definitely one of Chevy's best regular production big blocks. Only the LS6 454 and L72 427 are better in my opinion. Really the baddest Chevy big blocks are the ZL1 and L88 427's but they are both full race engines with 12:1 compression or higher. Always liked the different solid lifter versions of the 409 too. And Chevy built better small blocks than anybody in my opinion even though I love the Mopar 340...particularly the 1970 LT1 350, the Z28 302, the L79 327, and the dual quad and fuel injected 283's of the late 50s-early 60s
My oldest brother had a 68 ss396 when I was 7, I will forget him taking me and Mom for a ride when he got that car. I couldn’t lift my head from the back seat when he took off, Mom didn’t want anymore rides in that car, I couldn’t wait for the next ride. Only thing I didn’t like about the car was the pee green paint. His was a stick shift. Awesome car thanks for sharing the video 😊
@@samspace81 what cam is that?sounds like more duration and overlap than a factory 375 solid lift cam....or a hydraulic with close to same specs as the factory solid lift cam...sounds great...looks great...i had a 68 as...miss it bad.
No matter what car makers do to pipe engine sounds into the cabs of their trucks, nothing beats these old muscle cars....don't care what manufacturer back then these were the cars everyone wants now LOL.
This is the car, ('relatively highly modified'), that my friend Steve street raced at every opportunity for 2 years without losing a race. These were great muscle cars with outlandish potential. Parts for big blocks were already long in development and the pace was increasing exponentially with the aftermarket high performance parts industry. This is a gorgeous illustration of American drag racing mentality. It was great. Peace & Psilocybin
My oldest living cousin has had a few cars over her lifetime.To this day she talks about that old Chevelle SS 396 she owned new off the showroom.The era of American muscle sure meant so much to those who lived it.Too much qualudes and horsepower sent a lot of them to the scrap yard.Now you gotta be a millionare to find a matching#'s.I know they sure had the best of times though.
Such a great original looking car. I'm glad to see that it retains the right time period rims and tires and not some god awful 20" rims with tires that have no sidewall. I put a lot of miles on one nearly like this the only difference was it had a white vinyl roof which I didn't care for and a pinstripe. I think these 375 hp engines were under rated. I believe they were more like 425 hp. I remember that you best have a hold of it when it shifted to second gear because it would go sideways. Pure muscle for sure.
+snyder feller - Oh no. It was from 1976 to 1980. Back in those days you could get relatively good deals on pony and muscle cars. In 1981 I almost bought a 69 Roadrunner with a 383 Magnum for under $2000. I was 19 years old at the time, with very little money so I would have had to borrow part of the money to get it. Later in life I owned a Chevelle, Trans Am, 2 Supras and a Corvette, but I really regret not getting that Roadrunner.
Sweet ride! I've owned 69 roadrunner and cudas. I like chevys too. Currently own 2016 challenger 392 go mango orange. My friend had 69 chevelle roller cammed 427.500+hp.4.11 rear. Frame off resto. Very fun car!
I took a 30 second capture of this video as motivation, particularly when you're getting into the gas :) This thing rips! haha. I have a daily driver 1968 el camino with a mild 350. Needs some more oomph.. so I just bough a '66 cast 396/heads/crank/etc. and I'm hoping to rebuild that with a solid cam ~ at least something like .520/.520 lift, maybe more but don't want it too choppy needs to be drivable. Will need to get pistons, carb, odds and ends as well. The 396, for me, is plenty to have a ton of fun with. I would rather keep my '68 more authentic with a closer to correct 396 than assemble a smogger 454 from the later 70s+. Would probably cost me more to get better heads and stuff for it.. and don't really need the power capabilities. Anyways wish me luck!
What a beast. My '68 made do with a 327-275 and Powerglide, and had 4bbl and dual exhaust from the factory. It didn't have either the low or top end of the 396, but from about 50-80 it was amazingly strong. The car got 17 mpg, 20 on the open road, and other than carb issues, was reliable and cheap to fix. Sad to say, rust took it's toll by about 1984. Sold it to a friend who got a few last fun years with it. If I ever win the lottery, I'll try to find a 1970 with a healthy 454.
My brother had 2 of these. One was a stock 375 horse and the other one had even more horses. Don't remember the details except for headers. I always loved the sound the 396 made.
Beautiful Classic. Thats EXACTLY how I want my 68 Chevelle to look. My 68 is about %70-%75 done. Its 350/350 and driveable which i rarely do. It has a column shift, bench seat which Im not a big fan of, but the horseshoe shifter, bucket seats AND its an SS 396 is what Im diggin the most.
I have a 68 El camino, and I just "finished" it to be a driver last year same 350/350. I just bought a 396, you know what's happening next :) Still got your rig? Looks nice in your pic.
My uncle restored a 68 Chevelle SS with the 396 motor. He is the second owner of the car. It came from the factory with a black vinyl roof and with black paint below the side chrome strip along each side. During the restoration, he had the seats re upholstered. He put the seats in a shed while working on the car. Over winter time rats got in the shed and ate holes in the vinyl and foam of the seats. He went straight to the farm store and got all of the rat poison they had and baited the rats. The rats ate the poison and in the spring he took the seats back and had them re, re upholster the seats again. This time the seats were installed in the car. He has won several awards for the finished car.
a friend i worked with in 1980 bought a 68 SS396 from South Carolina with a manual stick for 1000 dollars. looked like it just rolled off the show room floor same color.
375 hp, was a lot more fun back then with metal dashes, drum brakes, traction control? That’s called the clutch. We may have cars with 700 today but they’re all nannied out
ok yea yea I know I'v commented before but this the best 68 Chevelle I have ever seen. The color ...perfect....the amount of trim ....perfect....the sound ....perfect.....the stance.....perfect...this car has no business having anything but corvette rallies on it...again bro ....perfect....nice job man ...if u ever want to sell it id buy it....drop me a line on my channel......Tony
I just started to restore my 68 Chevelle SS and promised my self that I would have it running by Christmas day 2017, then take it apart and do a frame off.
The car is painted incorrectly if it’s a real 138 car. It’s missing the black lower body treatment under the side molding, which was on all 138s in 1968.
I'm a Mopar guy first but if I was buying a brand new GM product in 1968 it would be a Chevelle SS 396/375- 4 speed with the L89 aluminum head option. The L78 396 is definitely one of Chevy's best regular production big blocks. Only the LS6 454 and L72 427 are better in my opinion. Really the baddest Chevy big blocks are the ZL1 and L88 427's but they are both full race engines with 12:1 compression or higher. Always liked the different solid lifter versions of the 409 too. And Chevy built better small blocks than anybody in my opinion even though I love the Mopar 340...particularly the 1970 LT1 350, the Z28 302, the L79 327, and the dual quad and fuel injected 283's of the late 50s-early 60s
i love most old muscle cars but the 1968 charger r/t 440 is my fav 2nd is the 68 chevelle ss396 375
I've filmed a pair of L78 Camaros over the years, thanks Jeremy so much for following Samspace81!
Love this setup. Nice and simple but that rumble coming out the rear is a sweet sound.
Timeless. Forever cool
I love the half-sneeze at the end.
+Lion Celica You can't script things like that lol that was me
samspace81
True, it gave me a good chuckle.
Lol
@@samspace81 Sounds like you were revvin up
LMAO!
The 396 motor was a beast. But so is the buick grand national v6.
My oldest brother had a 68 ss396 when I was 7, I will forget him taking me and Mom for a ride when he got that car. I couldn’t lift my head from the back seat when he took off, Mom didn’t want anymore rides in that car, I couldn’t wait for the next ride. Only thing I didn’t like about the car was the pee green paint. His was a stick shift. Awesome car thanks for sharing the video 😊
What a car and what a sound! The movie Jack Reacher brought me here and I believe it was a 396 they used in the movie to.
Cool movie 🎬
Sam you're Did it again you put me in the nostalgia mode, What beautiful beautiful memories thank you sir🚀🚀🚀⚙️⚙️⚙️🔥🔥🔥
My pleasure! Guy got sideways nearly lost it lol I was marketing classic cars when i made this video to help sell it, good times
God I LOVE how this car sounds....
Oh 👍 yes!
@@samspace81 what cam is that?sounds like more duration and overlap than a factory 375 solid lift cam....or a hydraulic with close to same specs as the factory solid lift cam...sounds great...looks great...i had a 68 as...miss it bad.
That thing is clean...sounds healthy too.
We almost lost it in the inside scene. Yeah, it's a real hoss! The owner also has that sweet '70 I just posted.
I can not get enough of this car!! What a beaut!
Definately a memorable car! Thanks Justin for commenting
Sweet sounds. ANY chevelle will do 😎
No matter what car makers do to pipe engine sounds into the cabs of their trucks, nothing beats these old muscle cars....don't care what manufacturer back then these were the cars everyone wants now LOL.
I her you! Thanks William
Absolutely beautiful. One car that demands respect!
You said it! A+
This is the car, ('relatively highly modified'), that my friend Steve street raced at every opportunity for 2 years without losing a race. These were great muscle cars with outlandish potential. Parts for big blocks were already long in development and the pace was increasing exponentially with the aftermarket high performance parts industry. This is a gorgeous illustration of American drag racing mentality. It was great. Peace & Psilocybin
Very cool thanks for sharing 👍
Badass Chevelle! Can't beat a big block sound!
Now thats what I'm talkin bout
Ahh. The rumble of a big block Chevrolet music to my ears!!!
You and me both
My oldest living cousin has had a few cars over her lifetime.To this day she talks about that old Chevelle SS 396 she owned new off the showroom.The era of American muscle sure meant so much to those who lived it.Too much qualudes and horsepower sent a lot of them to the scrap yard.Now you gotta be a millionare to find a matching#'s.I know they sure had the best of times though.
Well said 👏
Such a great original looking car. I'm glad to see that it retains the right time period rims and tires and not some god awful 20" rims with tires that have no sidewall. I put a lot of miles on one nearly like this the only difference was it had a white vinyl roof which I didn't care for and a pinstripe. I think these 375 hp engines were under rated. I believe they were more like 425 hp. I remember that you best have a hold of it when it shifted to second gear because it would go sideways. Pure muscle for sure.
Great comment, appreciate that!!
The chevelle is gorgeous the 1968 and the 1970 are my favorites
Me too! 68, 9 are more streamlined, but 70 is top dog I think. Hard to choose
samspace81
yes!! I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been going back and forth for years on which one I like better.
Everytime I see one of these cars I am 7 years old again.
+Jp Wallace Great comment! Thanks for checking it out
Me2
That... is how a car should sound! Perfect exhaust note .🤓
Couldn't agree more!
This 396 engine is one of my favorites! Very strong durable muscle car engine!!! And sounds awesome love that cam loping!!!
Me too, great RPM big blocks
Love the 65 - 70 Chevelles .... rear coil springs, full length frame. This one is especially nice.
Right on
I liked the taillights from 71-72 also
Now that my friends is a TRUE muscle car. Not some glorified 4 cylinder vacuum cleaner with a turbo on it.
My step father had the 60 something Nova SS...same engine as this one and it was a manual. That thing was as mean as a Jack Rabbit on steroids.
+Mike “Sugarhitman” My brother had the following list of cars before he turned twenty; 65 Impala, 65 Malibu, 72 Challenger, 69 Chevelle, 67 Chevelle.
During what era did he have all all those cars? Was this recently?
+snyder feller - Oh no. It was from 1976 to 1980. Back in those days you could get relatively good deals on pony and muscle cars. In 1981 I almost bought a 69 Roadrunner with a 383 Magnum for under $2000. I was 19 years old at the time, with very little money so I would have had to borrow part of the money to get it. Later in life I owned a Chevelle, Trans Am, 2 Supras and a Corvette, but I really regret not getting that Roadrunner.
That is awesome, I envy the older generation so much for that reason alone lol.
Now THAT is how an L78 car is supposed to sound
Real deal
samspace81 absolutely
That is 1 Awesome sound for sure! I miss having my 69 Chevelle 396 SS! There’s nothing like that sound! One day I’ll have another one! ❤️😊👍
I love it, get you one. None of us getting out of this thing alive, may as well bang some gears
I am a mopar guy but that my friend is a beautiful car!
Thanks for watching
Sweet ride! I've owned 69 roadrunner and cudas. I like chevys too. Currently own 2016 challenger 392 go mango orange. My friend had 69 chevelle roller cammed 427.500+hp.4.11 rear. Frame off resto. Very fun car!
Very cool
I took a 30 second capture of this video as motivation, particularly when you're getting into the gas :) This thing rips! haha. I have a daily driver 1968 el camino with a mild 350. Needs some more oomph.. so I just bough a '66 cast 396/heads/crank/etc. and I'm hoping to rebuild that with a solid cam ~ at least something like .520/.520 lift, maybe more but don't want it too choppy needs to be drivable. Will need to get pistons, carb, odds and ends as well. The 396, for me, is plenty to have a ton of fun with. I would rather keep my '68 more authentic with a closer to correct 396 than assemble a smogger 454 from the later 70s+. Would probably cost me more to get better heads and stuff for it.. and don't really need the power capabilities. Anyways wish me luck!
Love it David that gets me psyched up too
What a beast. My '68 made do with a 327-275 and Powerglide, and had 4bbl and dual exhaust from the factory. It didn't have either the low or top end of the 396, but from about 50-80 it was amazingly strong. The car got 17 mpg, 20 on the open road, and other than carb issues, was reliable and cheap to fix. Sad to say, rust took it's toll by about 1984. Sold it to a friend who got a few last fun years with it. If I ever win the lottery, I'll try to find a 1970 with a healthy 454.
Did you find you a 70?
use to have one , only had a 307 , but looking at that dash &that body sure brings back memories
Cool Ron, thanks for sharing!
WOW!! What a beautiful '68 and it's so clean. I love how it looks coming down the road at the end of the video. 👍
***** Thanks man! We almost lost it in the fishtailing scene lol
That's why you where close to the curb. My buddy has a '68 also and I love it. What a great year for chevy muscle cars.
I'm an old Mopar guy, and this is one bad mama jama. Beautiful.
I appreciate your comment & would be honored if you would subscribe to the Samspace81 Classic Car channel, George.
absolutely beautiful,my dream car,stunning
Sounds like mine when it idles. Love the big block sound. If I had all the money in the world I’d fill a shop full of muscle cars.
Me too! Tell my wife same
Never been a gm guy but the ss 396 is the best looking muscle car from that era imo
You know it
My brother had 2 of these. One was a stock 375 horse and the other one had even more horses. Don't remember the details except for headers. I always loved the sound the 396 made.
Had cast Iron headers shaped like steel headers, remember the cable holding the engine to the frame because of the torque.
Beautiful ride.I'm a 68 guy myself.
My favorite car in the world! This is the one. 1968 396 SS Chevelle.
Fine rides
I need one of these, the Chevelle is one of the most bad ass Chevys there is
lolol that sneeze at the end. awesome ride!!!! l78 chevelle ftw!!!
I've seen a 396 in a57 Chevy with a mild cam chop take off and the posi got squarllie. Took off like a shot.!
love it. Good times. Thanks Matt for watching & sharing
Something possessed me to watch a vid on a 90s civic hatchback.... Almost puked from it.... This is deff gonna cure me from what I saw.
Beautiful Classic. Thats EXACTLY how I want my 68 Chevelle to look. My 68 is about %70-%75 done. Its 350/350 and driveable which i rarely do. It has a column shift, bench seat which Im not a big fan of, but the horseshoe shifter, bucket seats AND its an SS 396 is what Im diggin the most.
+MnCalapati415 Sweet! Thanks for checking it out, glad it could inspire your build!
I have a 68 El camino, and I just "finished" it to be a driver last year same 350/350. I just bought a 396, you know what's happening next :)
Still got your rig? Looks nice in your pic.
Wow my car very beautiful look beautiful colour thanks Nick
Real deal American muscle ;)
My uncle restored a 68 Chevelle SS with the 396 motor. He is the second owner of the car. It came from the factory with a black vinyl roof and with black paint below the side chrome strip along each side. During the restoration, he had the seats re upholstered. He put the seats in a shed while working on the car. Over winter time rats got in the shed and ate holes in the vinyl and foam of the seats. He went straight to the farm store and got all of the rat poison they had and baited the rats. The rats ate the poison and in the spring he took the seats back and had them re, re upholster the seats again. This time the seats were installed in the car. He has won several awards for the finished car.
This is a bucket list item for me to drive, to own, to rev at a stoplight
Definately a dream machine muscle car, appreciate you watching
There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a big block chevy
I remember my 68 Chevelle SS 396. 8 miles a gallon but wish I kept it. That was back in 1975.
+Lindenbum I'm with ya , it was too much fun , didn't get mine till 77 .
A correct running SS 396 got 18 mpg
Newton Washinton I doubt it lmao
Jaret, i was there in 1968 i do know.
Newton Washinton never heard of a 396 gettin 18mpg no matter how good it’s running. But alright
Outstanding ride!!. I was 10 when it hit the streets.
Love it
My dad had one. Sold it when I was 6. I never forgot it.
Wow thanks for sharing 👍 ❤️
Things beautiful nice video man. The sneeze at the very end made me laugh lol
I miss mine. Looked identical to this one. Sold it in the 90's. It's the one that got away.
The legendary Rat Motor! If it had those ultra rare L89 heads and a 4-speed, I would've immediately had it! Lmao
Hoss of a car
Heck yeah! Even as a Ford guy, I love the performance GMs, Mopars and AMCs.
that was my first car i bought new only with a 4 speed
awesome, the 375HP? Thanks for sharing Tom! Tell me more please :) What colors? Did you spec it out or buy it off the showroom floor? - SAM
I'm a Ford guy, but come on man. Look at this car!
I agree some cars turn anyone on
A real beauty,thanks for the ride.
Best Cast iron Muscle car engine ever.
Now here is a car .to me the 68 Chevelle is the best looking Chevy that they made.this ride is bad to the bone 🦴.
Memorable Chevelle and day 💯 appreciate you watching 👀
Yeah that's cool - BUT - there should be flat black paint below the chrome strip below the doors. The 375 cam sounds great!
Good eye
I'm 18 years old and my friends all want BMWs Nissans supras Bugattis crap like that me I like the old American classics this car especially
You know whats good Bobby, appreciate you watching
Best sounds coming from that awesome engine! :)
Yes indeed!
Music for my ears!! I love it!!
The driver almost lost it when I was filming inside too! This 396 was a solid-lifter high winding engine for sure. Thanks for checking it out!
+samspace81 you got it! One day I'm gonna be checking you out at Daytona!
How sweet the sound.
Amen
That is one awsome classic hands down👌🏻
a friend i worked with in 1980 bought a 68 SS396 from South Carolina with a manual stick for 1000 dollars. looked like it just rolled off the show room floor same color.
Wow very cool, thanks for sharing, Robert
Wow, simply awsome. Im so jealous.
Memorable muscle
Yes beautiful a legend for sure .
Love Muscle, thanks for checking it out Craig
The sweet sound of Chevy power!
That is one sweet 68
Thanks Michael, I'm posting a Chevelle only video soon. Thanks for watching Samspace81
Awesome f*cking car! Sounds great. Big blocks are the best
Yes! It kinda got away from him too ha Thanks so much for following Samspace81, Edward
Super nice 68 wow
It was for sure, that guy almost wrecked it too taking me for a ride LOL
Dream car right here
Man I love Chevelles. I'd like a big block 4 speed 66 to 70
Has some crazy power.
For sure a handful
Gorgeous car! What's the wheel and tire size if you don't mind me asking?
So long ago no idea anymore sorry
375 hp, was a lot more fun back then with metal dashes, drum brakes, traction control? That’s called the clutch. We may have cars with 700 today but they’re all nannied out
Good stuff Jack, all power and driver. Thanks for watching the Samspace81 classic car channel sir
This is my dream car
Sweet Dreams
Beautiful Chevelle
That was a nice musclecar
Beautiful car, I want it.
Great Chevelle
Looks great,sounds like a beer can for mufflers,
lol my speaker didn't do it justice! Hey enjoy the channel.
My dream car one day !
You need it, thanks for watching
ok yea yea I know I'v commented before but this the best 68 Chevelle I have ever seen. The color ...perfect....the amount of trim ....perfect....the sound ....perfect.....the stance.....perfect...this car has no business having anything but corvette rallies on it...again bro ....perfect....nice job man ...if u ever want to sell it id buy it....drop me a line on my channel......Tony
That was a great car
Sounds healthy!
It was, nearly got sideways on us
No speed limits were harmed in the making of this video! LOL
😆 he almost spun out too
I just started to restore my 68 Chevelle SS and promised my self that I would have it running by Christmas day 2017, then take it apart and do a frame off.
Sounds nice and fresh
Monster
That's such a nice car
Really was, thanks PumpkinHead
Rolling Piece of “AMERICANA”!!
For sure!
The car is painted incorrectly if it’s a real 138 car. It’s missing the black lower body treatment under the side molding, which was on all 138s in 1968.
Yes it was and good eye! Great comment, appreciate it
Those were the good old days when you can get away with it and it didn't cost a lot to fix one of those up and get it going
💯
Bad ass chevelle. American muscle
You know whats good Barefoot Guy. I know rode with a barefoot guy in a Hemi Superbird
@@samspace81 I drive barefoot all the time.
It's sweet! Curious as to why it doesn't have the factory tach? Mine is unmolested with original paint ( cept for the crap hanging out the hood ).
Do you still have your L78, I have a 68 matching numbers with the factory tach as well.
I love the sound of that cam. Is it a stock one for the 396-375hp ?
Yes twas
Sounds like the power steering pump or belt had a howl. Sweet Chevy though.
Good ear
My cousin scared me in his 69 351 4 speed mustard. He he
Burnin' dough has never been sweeter...
Truth
so badass. old school rules.
now that's a real car. nice
Top end king
Yes a running car loves RPMs
Beautiful car...I had one n was to young to realized what I had n was con out of it by blue eyed Greg Crandle.
Appreciate you Wayne!