Wheels Galleries

There was a long gap between Ron Provines' first 1966 Chevelle and his current one, but this SS/396 4-speed fills the void nicely.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Ron and Debbie Provines rarely exhibit their 1966 SS/396 Chevelle at car shows, preferring to go for "joyrides" around town when the weather is nice.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Ron and Debbie Provines

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Mounted on a wide set of Cragar S/S wheels, the hefty Hoosier tires put about 12 inches of rubber down on each side of the rear end.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The crossed-flags fender badge identifies this as a 396 big block Chevelle; front wheels are also Cragar S/S, mounting 235x60x15 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Simulated hood scoops hint at the power that lies below.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Provines rebuilt the original 396 V-8 shortly after buying the car, which he thinks had been converted to drag race duty. It runs L-88 Corvette and a factory 375 horsepower aluminum intake, as well as tubular headers.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

One of the few upgrades made to the interior was the addition of a factory-style wood-rimmed wheel. The old AM radio was left intact, although music now flows from a glove box-mounted stereo system.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

That's a clock, not a tachometer, mounted in the console; the original `knee-knocker' tach is mounted to the lower edge of the dash. Accessory Auto Meter gauges have been added, with a Hurst T-handle shifter making the gear changes.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

The factory seats were treated to fresh upholstery stitched up by Scott Downey, to retain the original feel of the interior.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Using an aftermarket upholstery kit, Provines upgraded the door and rear interior panels with matching black vinyl.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Here's where the power meets the pavement: the rear ladder-bar suspension is equipped with adjustable coil-over shocks. The big Hoosiers ride in oversized tubs and the 12-bolt rear end houses a set of 3.42 gears.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

A 20-gallon fuel cell was installed to give the thirsty Chevelle a little more range on weekend cruises around the Wichita area.

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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle

Ron Provines on his high school graduation day with his original '66 Chevelle as a backdrop.

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Ron Provines / Courtesy