Fan Friday: Anthony Rose’s 1966 Marina Blue Chevy Chevelle SS 396

This week’s ClassicAutoStoreOnline.com Fan Friday spotlight features a true muscle car icon — Anthony Rose’s stunning 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS 396 finished in beautiful Marina Blue. Powered by a 396 Big Block V8, backed by an automatic transmission and equipped with Posi Traction and 3.73 gears, this Chevelle represents everything enthusiasts love about mid-60s American performance. But what makes this one even more special is the story behind how it came home.

The 1966 model year marked the first major redesign of the Chevelle. Chevrolet gave the A-body a more sculpted, aggressive look with a wider grille, cleaner body lines, and a stance that hinted at the horsepower underneath. It was also the year the SS 396 truly stepped into the spotlight. While the SS badge had appeared before, 1966 cemented the Chevelle Super Sport as a serious performance contender in the rapidly escalating muscle car wars.

Under the hood, the 396 cubic inch Big Block was Chevrolet’s answer to growing demand for more torque and straight-line dominance. Depending on configuration, these engines were rated up to 375 horsepower — and more importantly, they delivered the kind of low-end torque that pinned drivers back in their seats. Pair that with Posi Traction and 3.73 gears, and you had a street machine built to launch hard and pull strong. Even with an automatic transmission, a 396 Chevelle was no joke at the stoplight.

Then there’s the color — Marina Blue. Introduced in the mid-1960s, this vibrant metallic blue became one of Chevrolet’s most iconic shades of the era. On a ’66 Chevelle, Marina Blue highlights every curve: the crisp body crease running the length of the car, the muscular rear quarters, and the aggressive SS badging. It’s a color that feels equally at home at a cruise night, a car show, or simply sitting in the garage — admired.

For Anthony, this Chevelle is more than just horsepower and sheet metal. Years ago, he owned a 1966 Chevelle convertible in San Diego, California. Like many of us, life moved forward — and the car moved on. But the regret never did.

Fast forward to New Year’s Day 2024. With some unexpected free time and an empty garage that once housed his beloved ’66, Anthony made a simple phone call to a local classic car dealer. He wasn’t expecting much — just hoping. In a twist that feels almost meant to be, he learned that a Marina Blue 1966 Chevelle had just been traded in and hadn’t even been listed yet. He was offered first crack at it.

A week later, that same garage wasn’t empty anymore.

Sometimes the right car finds its way back into your life when the timing is finally right. For Anthony, this 1966 Chevelle SS 396 wasn’t just a purchase — it was a second chance.

Thank you, Anthony, for sharing your story and your incredible Chevelle with the ClassicAutoStoreOnline.com community.

Have a classic car you’d like to share?

We’re always on the lookout for passionate classic car owners to highlight in our Fan Friday series!

If you’d like to see your car featured on ClassicAutoStoreOnline.com, email us at:

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Please include a few high-quality photos and as many details or stories about your vehicle as possible — we’d love to share what makes your classic special!