bad 1968 Chevy Chevelle SS 396/375HP Getting Down

Raising a little Cane in this hot 68 Chevy Chevelle SS 375 horse 396 big block. This car features the high winding solid lifter 396 along with 3.73 posi-track 12-bolt and a pair of factory bucket seats. Hang on and enjoy the ride. This one was filmed here at Samspace81 KZbin for Texas Motor Toys out of Terrell, Texas. This is a an American muscle car at its best. We burn a little rubber too.

[@jeremythompson9122]

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

[@knuckleberry4720]

i love most old muscle cars but the 1968 charger r/t 440 is my fav 2nd is the 68 chevelle ss396 375

[@samspace81]

I've filmed a pair of L78 Camaros over the years, thanks Jeremy so much for following Samspace81!

[@lioncelica5170]

I love the half-sneeze at the end.

[@samspace81]

+Lion Celica You can't script things like that lol that was me

[@lioncelica5170]

samspace81 True, it gave me a good chuckle.

[@stlhd4lyfe1]

Lol

[@mastertek383]

@@samspace81 Sounds like you were revvin up

[@albertwesker2283]

LMAO!

[@RamblinAround]

That thing is clean...sounds healthy too.

[@samspace81]

We almost lost it in the inside scene. Yeah, it's a real hoss! The owner also has that sweet '70 I just posted.

[@tomburns41]

Love this setup. Nice and simple but that rumble coming out the rear is a sweet sound.

[@samspace81]

Timeless. Forever cool

[@ShanesAutos]

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.

[@samspace81]

Cool movie 🎬

[@GTX1123]

Now that my friends is a TRUE muscle car. Not some glorified 4 cylinder vacuum cleaner with a turbo on it.

[@sugarhitman]

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.

[@GTX1123]

+Mike “Sugarhitman” My brother had the following list of cars before he turned twenty; 65 Impala, 65 Malibu, 72 Challenger, 69 Chevelle, 67 Chevelle.

[@durster27]

During what era did he have all all those cars? Was this recently?

[@GTX1123]

+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.

[@durster27]

That is awesome, I envy the older generation so much for that reason alone lol.

[@zacmesser4077]

Now THAT is how an L78 car is supposed to sound

[@samspace81]

Real deal

[@zacmesser4077]

samspace81 absolutely

[@jeremyb2108]

Absolutely beautiful. One car that demands respect!

[@samspace81]

You said it! A+

[@kathychmielewski7246]

God I LOVE how this car sounds....

[@samspace81]

Oh 👍 yes!

[@steverugerguy9606]

@@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.

[@adriantomlin2902]

Badass Chevelle! Can't beat a big block sound!

[@samspace81]

Now thats what I'm talkin bout

[@jpwallace8702]

Everytime I see one of these cars I am 7 years old again.

[@samspace81]

+Jp Wallace Great comment! Thanks for checking it out

[@thomastorain7475]

Me2

[@eliudcastro419]

The chevelle is gorgeous the 1968 and the 1970 are my favorites

[@samspace81]

Me too! 68, 9 are more streamlined, but 70 is top dog I think. Hard to choose

[@kathychmielewski7246]

samspace81 yes!! I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been going back and forth for years on which one I like better.

[@mattstankes-jb9os]

The 396 motor was a beast. But so is the buick grand national v6.

[@hbarends5483]

Ahh. The rumble of a big block Chevrolet music to my ears!!!

[@samspace81]

You and me both

[@justincase5847]

I can not get enough of this car!! What a beaut!

[@samspace81]

Definately a memorable car! Thanks Justin for commenting

[@JT-SE-OHIO]

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.

[@samspace81]

Great comment, appreciate that!!

[@tomkizis7014]

that was my first car i bought new only with a 4 speed

[@samspace81]

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

[@richdouche8253]

Love the 65 - 70 Chevelles .... rear coil springs, full length frame. This one is especially nice.

[@samspace81]

Right on

[@Trillioons]

I liked the taillights from 71-72 also

[@johnbautch]

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 😊

[@jenkemjones68]

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.

[@samspace81]

Well said 👏

[@wildbill23c]

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.

[@samspace81]

I her you! Thanks William

[@Amysmann]

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

[@samspace81]

Very cool thanks for sharing 👍

[@one7decimal2eight]

Never been a gm guy but the ss 396 is the best looking muscle car from that era imo

[@samspace81]

You know it

[@Rorona550]

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.

[@Bruningable]

Very nice car. But that Flowmaster sound... 😑

[@samspace81]

No flows?

[@traviskrause8509]

This 396 engine is one of my favorites! Very strong durable muscle car engine!!! And sounds awesome love that cam loping!!!

[@samspace81]

Me too, great RPM big blocks

[@bruceadams3687]

That... is how a car should sound! Perfect exhaust note .🤓

[@samspace81]

Couldn't agree more!

[@stlhd4lyfe1]

They don't sound much better then that!!

[@samspace81]

No sir

[@mattstankes-jb9os]

My cousin scared me in his 69 351 4 speed mustard. He he

[@Don-pq5gg]

Yeah that's cool - BUT - there should be flat black paint below the chrome strip below the doors. The 375 cam sounds great!

[@samspace81]

Good eye

[@DavesDrivesGarage]

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!

[@samspace81]

Love it David that gets me psyched up too

[@eroom2087]

Just don't drive it hard 396 can't take a lot plus I seen stock 1988 mustang 5 speed bust a 1967 chevelles 396 ass. 396 was never hiting on much would not stay together for some reason

[@samspace81]

John I've always heard that about a 396, they like to wind up, no doubt about it. Thanks for the comment and enjoy the channel.

[@knuckleberry4720]

are you on LSD or something these things were monster in the 60s well till the 454 up o 500hp the great then needs better rods crankshaft and such

[@cuisined]

You can immediately tell an American car, it's nothing like any other car, so pronounced..One thing about american cars, they don't mess around.

[@samspace81]

You're right, these old muscle cars will always be fast & cool. I appreciate you following Samspace81

[@antilaw9911]

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!

[@samspace81]

Very cool

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

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.

[@samspace81]

Yes it was and good eye! Great comment, appreciate it

[@mattstankes-jb9os]

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.!

[@samspace81]

love it. Good times. Thanks Matt for watching & sharing

[@ALABAMAHEADHUNTER]

Beautiful car , clean and very nice under the hood . Don't see many as close to original as that one . I drive a 66 SS Chevelle 375 h.p. , check out my videos of it .

[@samspace81]

Sweet OK

[@jackwatters9502]

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

[@samspace81]

Good stuff Jack, all power and driver. Thanks for watching the Samspace81 classic car channel sir

[@h1989w7373]

absolutely beautiful,my dream car,stunning

[@robertrockwell7581]

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.

[@samspace81]

Wow very cool, thanks for sharing, Robert

[@Gnif57]

Sweet sounds. ANY chevelle will do 😎

[@martin2560]

My favorite car in the world! This is the one. 1968 396 SS Chevelle.

[@samspace81]

Fine rides

[@bobbyhopkins1820]

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

[@samspace81]

You know whats good Bobby, appreciate you watching

[@Istayuplatedrivefast]

why did i have to be born in 1988 :(

[@samspace81]

Istayuplatedrivefast hahaha I'm an '81 model. I feel you!

[@jaggedsleepy1229]

Why does it matter I'm a 93 baby and I have a 67 Ford Fairlane 66 impala 65 rambler Marlin 78 f600 flat bed and a 89 ramcharger

[@prestondodd3166]

Gorgeous car! What's the wheel and tire size if you don't mind me asking?

[@samspace81]

So long ago no idea anymore sorry

[@garyredmond9532]

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 🦴.

[@samspace81]

Memorable Chevelle and day 💯 appreciate you watching 👀

[@bruceshepherd4655]

the steering wheel looks like Pontiac.

[@samspace81]

Nah

[@scottsmith1386]

1968 only Chevy steering wheel. My '68 Chevelle has it as do all the other '68 Chevelles I've picked parts from in the salvages. Impala, too.

[@whirlpool1978]

Has this got the Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor on it?

[@samspace81]

I believe it had a Holley

[@WildDiamond07]

The legendary Rat Motor! If it had those ultra rare L89 heads and a 4-speed, I would've immediately had it! Lmao

[@samspace81]

Hoss of a car

[@WildDiamond07]

Heck yeah! Even as a Ford guy, I love the performance GMs, Mopars and AMCs.

[@bikerider5296]

I'm a Ford guy, but come on man. Look at this car!

[@samspace81]

I agree some cars turn anyone on

[@christ510]

Nobody noticed the cop following em at the end ?

[@joecebu2791]

Lol.. Youre right!

[@samspace81]

No I didn't either lol

[@Saltysailor83]

Rolling Piece of “AMERICANA”!!

[@samspace81]

For sure!

[@billdedrick1914]

What mufflers used here? 3" exhaust? Headers? 2"?

[@samspace81]

Wish I remembered

[@erickort1987]

move over peasant cars..make way for the big block chevelle

[@samspace81]

Yes haha big block exhaust will blow them off the road

[@Adam666...]

68' 69' have the best front end

[@samspace81]

Can't argue with that

[@ronaldlewis4032]

Always wanted a 69 so I'm building me one now! Frame off and just got the body painted! Still lots of work to go! BBC of course no LS here!

[@d65-m1x]

I am a mopar guy but that my friend is a beautiful car!

[@samspace81]

Thanks for watching

[@Lindenbum]

I remember my 68 Chevelle SS 396. 8 miles a gallon but wish I kept it. That was back in 1975.

[@Beach5289]

+Lindenbum I'm with ya , it was too much fun , didn't get mine till 77 .

[@NewtonWashinton]

A correct running SS 396 got 18 mpg

[@jaretboston20]

Newton Washinton I doubt it lmao

[@NewtonWashinton]

Jaret, i was there in 1968 i do know.

[@jaretboston20]

Newton Washinton never heard of a 396 gettin 18mpg no matter how good it’s running. But alright

[@abramsmm1]

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.

[@samspace81]

Did you find you a 70?

[@randydudenhoffer9245]

had a 68 396 375 El Camino this is exactly how it sounded other cars beware

[@samspace81]

yes almost got away from my friend there

[@randydudenhoffer9245]

@@samspace81 mine was 4 speed with 4.88 gears, hard to beat , not many idiots had 4.88s

[@5BobbyDavis]

Beautiful ride.I'm a 68 guy myself.

[@jmsjms296]

Burnin' dough has never been sweeter...

[@samspace81]

Truth

[@dltafrc17]

lolol that sneeze at the end. awesome ride!!!! l78 chevelle ftw!!!

[@MrJubbey]

Beautiful car, but not the original set up . 375 hp 396's didn't come from the factory with automatic transmissions. Either it's a clone of some kind, or not the original engine.

[@samspace81]

You're partially correct. In 1968 yes you are right, but in 1969 an automatic was offered with the 375HP engine L78. I don't remember a lot about this car. Thanks for the great comment, appreciate your viewership and knowledge on the Samspace81 classic car channel - SAM

[@MrJubbey]

@@samspace81 I Stand corrected .... LOL Although it is hard for me to think of GM offering an automatic with the 375/396 set up especially considering the automatics that were made by GM at the time ....

[@samspace81]

I educated myself when I read it, thanks 😊

[@maxhennequin5953]

😍 what is the exhaust? Flowmaster?

[@samspace81]

Yes I think

[@ekitching]

Awesome f*cking car! Sounds great. Big blocks are the best

[@samspace81]

Yes! It kinda got away from him too ha Thanks so much for following Samspace81, Edward

[@wilhinson421]

What's the paint color code? I'm restoring one right now and I love this color!

[@samspace81]

The car was wearing the factory red for that year if I remember right

[@wilhinson421]

Thanks. I think it's the 974 rally red. I've got the original paint schemes from the manual and the rally red is what I wanted to go with but I wanted to see what it looked like on a car and this color is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks again.

[@tint661]

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.

[@dadstoygarage1878]

Sounds healthy!

[@samspace81]

It was, nearly got sideways on us

[@thewindowsxp32]

I need one of these, the Chevelle is one of the most bad ass Chevys there is

[@lawyers9]

No speed limits were harmed in the making of this video! LOL

[@samspace81]

😆 he almost spun out too

[@patriciabeechler6472]

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! ❤️😊👍

[@samspace81]

I love it, get you one. None of us getting out of this thing alive, may as well bang some gears

[@VoteWithABullet]

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. 👍

[@samspace81]

***** Thanks man! We almost lost it in the fishtailing scene lol

[@VoteWithABullet]

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.

[@PaulHopper-q8d]

Too bad,It's not a four-speed , other than that it's OK

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

Just perfect, 375hp, what more can you need ? I see y'all almost fishtailed into the curb @ 1:50 :) And bless you, I think you sneezed at the very end :D Happy Easter btw !

[@wedge4hire]

Would swap a nice hydraulic with similar specs in place of the solid lifter cam in the car. No fun in periodic valve adjustments!

[@samspace81]

I hear you, apopreciate your viewership

[@wedge4hire]

@@samspace81 Back in the day I was always a Chevy fan, but never had one! Dodges always came my way. '71 340 Demon and now a '69 Coronet R/T! Always wanted an SS396, especially the 1966 model, but I'm not complaining!! All muscle cars are awesome!! All the best, my friend!!

[@christopherspiro9857]

O Man ! Yes ! I’m leaving my wife for her! Ha!

[@austinloomis4291]

The cam lope though

[@samspace81]

One of my favorites

[@c130comm]

Super nice 68 wow

[@samspace81]

It was for sure, that guy almost wrecked it too taking me for a ride LOL

[@matthewhankins729]

Dream car right here

[@samspace81]

Man I love Chevelles. I'd like a big block 4 speed 66 to 70

[@tonysC8]

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

[@samspace81]

That was a great car

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Best Cast iron Muscle car engine ever.

[@manwithnoname691]

YES please!!! lol

[@samspace81]

Gone ha

[@matrox]

That car is nothing to sneeze at, whats wrong with that guy??

[@J0DAH]

it was to sick

[@TheRichieRozay]

Things beautiful nice video man. The sneeze at the very end made me laugh lol

[@davidjones9518]

Top end king

[@samspace81]

Yes a running car loves RPMs

[@mandog1981]

Was this car for sale, I have one that I'm going to sell wondering to get a price?

[@nicolasmallet5060]

Wow, simply awsome. Im so jealous.

[@samspace81]

Memorable muscle

[@brianeighties4481]

Bitchin!

[@samspace81]

For sure

[@edwardbreen7823]

Very nice

[@samspace81]

👍 👍

[@Dc328]

Music for my ears!! I love it!!

[@samspace81]

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!

[@Dc328]

+samspace81 you got it! One day I'm gonna be checking you out at Daytona!

[@hotrod2321]

Bad ass chevelle. American muscle

[@samspace81]

You know whats good Barefoot Guy. I know rode with a barefoot guy in a Hemi Superbird

[@hotrod2321]

@@samspace81 I drive barefoot all the time.

[@olskol70]

GoDZillllA!!!!

[@samspace81]

Its bad for sure ha! Uhoh there goes Tokyo!

[@joshn938]

There is nothing sweeter than the sound of a big block chevy

[@flyingbob297]

How sweet the sound.

[@samspace81]

Amen

[@keithoneil6711]

Wow my car very beautiful look beautiful colour thanks Nick

[@samspace81]

Real deal American muscle ;)

[@sokodad]

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.

[@samspace81]

Me too! Tell my wife same

[@davidjones9518]

Bad ass😊

[@samspace81]

thanks David

[@anthonynelson9136]

Fix the vacuum leak.

[@HotRod64]

Always that one guy

[@samspace81]

Its all good EzRod1 ha

[@nojunkwork5735]

@@HotRod64 Always that one guy with a keen ear. You would have to be deaf not to hear the vacuum leak.

[@HotRod64]

@@nojunkwork5735 and now we have 2...

[@travoywashington7290]

@@HotRod64 Make that three. What do you think that hissing sound is, a leaky steam pipe?

[@ronbhrleu417]

use to have one , only had a 307 , but looking at that dash &that body sure brings back memories

[@samspace81]

Cool Ron, thanks for sharing!

[@deere3321]

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.

[@Lindenbum]

Had cast Iron headers shaped like steel headers, remember the cable holding the engine to the frame because of the torque.