need some opinions about price on a 65 SS

[oktunes]

I recently bought a 65 SS, 138 car with 12 bolt, 4 speed. Currently the car has a 325/396. I think the engine is a 1966. This is a nice looking car. Interior is near perfect black with console and correct SS guages and trim.

The bad part, I bought it over the net on the strength of the interior and being an original 4 speed SS. It had new 1/4's, but when I got home and did a really close inspection, the panels were installed over the orignal rusted quarters. The trunk floor had a pop rivet repair to the underside and tons of undercoating covering it up. Basically, though the car looks good, I know that I won't be satisfied till I have all the trunk and quarter panels replaced. I can do bodywork and painting, but actual replacing the panels is more then I want to do. I will end up hiring the metal work done, then do the body work and paint.

I would like to put a smallblock back in the car. Do some minor mechanical stuff, put power disc brakes on it and full exhaust. That would make it a nice driving, decent looking car.

I am wondering if I should sell the car and wait for a better bodied car or bite the bullet and be prepared for expensive metal work in a year or two. Is the 1966 396 motor, which runs strong, worth enough to pay for a small block crate motor. I have the money to do all this, but hate to put more in the car then it would be worth. Or more then I could buy a nice car for. All opinions are welcome.
matt

[mdcamaro]

When you have a 40 year old car that is what you expect. I have a 65 Malibu SS. I'm replacing 1/4s and floor pans. I bought the left side floor pan and replaced chunks as needed. Don't do that replace the whole section it is a lot easier in the long run and looks better.

A 327 came in your car originally. I replaced mine with a 96 LT1. The 396 is a lot heavier so new springs and front disk brakes are a no brain-er. The other issue is frame mounts are off so some brands of headers will not fit.

I started my rebuild from the frame up. Go before show!

Good luck! Remember this was the 2nd year for the Malibu and the number that are around is getting smaller not larger.

[highlandlake]

I agree with mdcamaro.

I bought a '65 SS that had some concealed issues. But I got over it - and went to work fixing up the areas I wasn't happy with. Now I feel I have more pride equity in the car.
Your '66 motor might be worth a fair amount of money. Have you confirmed the cast date and engine codes?
Anything else you've done to the car since your original post?