1966 Chevelle Super Sport

We recently linked up with a Facebook friend, Mark Bernhardt and discussed his incredible Resto project: his amazing 1966 Chevelle SS.

RM: So Mark, why was the Chevelle SS your pick over other American classics?

MB: “The 66 Chevelle has always been my favorite body style. The fall 2003 issue of Super Chevys Chevelle magazine had a red 66 in it with a Viper motor & a T56 six speed that is what made me finally start looking to buy one.”

RM: So how did you find the Chevelle?

MB: “I found the car in Hemmings motor news, got on the guy’s website and emailed him a couple times. He sent me pics of the car and the vin tag/stamped numbers on the block, heads, tranny ect. Found a carrier and had it shipped from Georgia to Cali. It’s a true 138 Super Sport. I bought in 05′ and started a full frame off restoration/build on her. The passenger fender and door skin is all that’s left, it was pretty routed out. I’m just finishing it up, got about 500 miles on it now.”

RM: Wait, you bought it on 05′ and you’re just now finishing it up?

MB: “Yeah, It took me 10 years but I pretty much built a new car from the ground up. I’m the 3rd owner, the previous 2 owners lived right by the original dealership Welborn Chevrolet in Rome Georgia. The car hadn’t been on the road since 1986 and just sat there and rusted through.”

RM: That’s a long time!

MB: “You’re telling me! I bought the car in Jan 05′ and started it for the first time in April of 2015. It then took a few more months until I finally drove it in August 15′. I only have a couple things left to finish, I need: stereo / windshield wiper motor / tail pipes out of mufflers / upholster trunk Wants: Billet hood hinges / clear heat & uv reducing window tint “air80” or “air90″ / maybe some day vintage air.”

RM: How was the engine?
MB: “It had the original block, heads and Muncie 4sp so I had them all cleaned up. Bored it out to a 402 and put a big Erson cam in it. Port & polished the heads, roller rockers, hyd lifters, roller cam. The block had a crack in it and a spun bearing. All the lines were seized so I pushed it up in the garage and started tearing it apart.”

RM: It must feel amazing to drive it after all that time?

MB: “Indeed it does.”

RM: Who did all the work?

MB: “This was my first restoration/build. I did everything myself at home in the garage with the exception of the bodywork and paint. Also Dave’s Performance in Fresno did the machining on the motor. Dave is a great guy, I got to go down and watch him bore it out and help put one of the heads back together.”

RM: What tips or recommendations do You have for other guys wanting to do a similar build?

MB: “Tip 1: Have an idea/goal or drawing of the finished product & work towards that.

Tip 2: Buy your parts as you need them and after researching they’ll work with your existing parts.

Tip 3: measure twice cut once & if all else fails read the directions or watch youtube lol! No seriously though, building a car is a big project and it can get overwhelming quick. Break it into small projects and set goals for those.

To see more of this incredible car check out it’s social media pages on Facebook: Bernhardt Super Sport 66 and Instagram: Super_Sport_66

More Images from the Resto: