Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Wagon

Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Wagon

The 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Wagon represents one of the most intriguing and unusual offerings from the golden age of American muscle cars. While the Chevelle SS 396 is well known in coupe and convertible form as one of the most potent muscle cars of the 1960s, the application of the Super Sport package to a station wagon body created a vehicle that defied easy categorization. It was, in essence, a wolf in sheep's clothing -- a family hauler that could embarrass most sports cars at a traffic light.

The 1966 Chevelle was the second year of the redesigned A-body platform, and the SS 396 package was now a full model designation rather than just an option package. The 396 cubic-inch big-block V8 was available in several states of tune, with the base L35 producing 325 horsepower and the optional L34 delivering 360 horsepower. Both engines produced prodigious torque, with the L35 making 410 lb-ft at just 3200 rpm -- exactly the kind of low-end grunt that makes a station wagon genuinely quick.

The SS 396 package included specific badging, a blacked-out grille, simulated hood scoops, red-stripe tires, and a heavy-duty suspension with stiffer springs and shocks plus a thicker front anti-roll bar. Applied to the wagon body, these visual cues were subtle enough that many observers would not immediately recognize the wagon's performance capabilities. The effect was a station wagon that could carry a family of six, tow a boat, and still lay rubber at will.

The interior was standard Chevelle wagon fare with SS-specific additions. The bench seat (buckets were not available in the wagon) could accommodate six passengers, and the cargo area behind the rear seat was spacious enough for family road trips. The column-shifted manual transmission or optional Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic completed the practical side of the equation.

Driving a 396-powered Chevelle wagon is a surprisingly entertaining experience. The big-block provides effortless acceleration regardless of load, and the heavy-duty suspension prevents the body roll that afflicts standard wagons during spirited cornering. The extra weight of the wagon body actually helps traction, meaning the SS 396 wagon could often outlaunch its lighter coupe counterpart from a standing start.

Production numbers for the SS 396 wagon were extremely low -- most sources suggest fewer than a few hundred were built, making it one of the rarest factory performance wagons ever produced. Today, documented SS 396 wagons are highly sought after by collectors who appreciate their rarity, practicality, and the inherent appeal of a performance car that nobody expects. Values have risen dramatically as the collector car market has expanded its appreciation beyond traditional two-door muscle cars.