1967 Chevelle SS 396
- Feb 19, 2015
Ron Coggin’s ’67 Chevelle SS 396 set aside his Model A Ford world
Owned by Ron Coggin, Jacksonville, FL
Story By Ellen Coggin, Photography by Colin Date
After Ron Coggin served in the USMC and did a tour in Viet Nam, his dad promised to match his savings. That’s how it all started.
After discharge in 1968, Ron stopped in Macon, Georgia to collect on the promise. He and his Dad visited several dealerships when Ron fell for a ’67 “Tahoe Turquoise” Chevelle 396 SS– bench seat and a 4-speed It was perfect! But four years later back in Jacksonville, Florida, economics, marriage and a new baby meant selling it to a co-worker. When last spotted, Ron noticed hunting dogs in the back seat! Ron just cringed and swore he’d own another one, someday…
Years later, Ron was introduced to the Model A Ford world– buying, restoring and showing cars, including his dad’s ’31 Roadster. But, that passion was transformed in April 1994, when at a show in Moultrie, Georgia he spotted a fella loading a black 396 SS Chevelle, FOR SALE! After a few phone calls, the deal was sealed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway show.
This beauty became a crowd pleaser, having won numerous awards, including Class Winner in 1998 at the Super Chevy Show and Super Sport “S/S” Pick at the Good Guys Rod and Custom Show in 2005. But there was more to be done to bring it up to Ron’s standards. He decided to add Vintage Air with an original dash upgrade, and to re-paint the car, black. But once work began, he concluded he had to stop and proceed with a complete frame-off restoration.
With the experience of long time friend, Eddie Nicely, who has owned and restored several Chevelles and Corvettes, they began the tedious tear down process. Everything on the frame was renewed including body bolts, brake lines and the rear end with 3.55 gears. They went through the engine and installed a new cam and lifters, a new flywheel and pressure plate, and they rebuilt the 4-speed with all new gears. Due to some recent problems, they just replaced an Edelbrock carb with a Holley 770 Street Avenger. Because there are virtually no patch panels or bondo on this body, the base coat/clear application was flawless by local shop owner, Danny Smith of Danny’s Creations.
Adding the power steering was a mandatory final touch. One ‘for sure’ feature was to keep the slick firewall, which gives this ride its unique personality!
Ron noted, “20 years of ownership and a four-year rebuild is a long time, but as most self-restorers know, that time and labor is immeasurable for us car lovers. You just keep doing what you need to do to get it right!
Ron Coggin – Black ’67 Chevelle 396 SS
6565 Lou Drive North
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 725 5282 /(904) 635 7950
