Chevrolet Chevelle production numbers were stout in 1969, including more than 86,300 copies built with the Z25 Super Sport option. The seller’s car is likely rare as only 900 or so of them were produced in Canada (per the cowl tag). The seller began restoring this Canadian ’69 Malibu Z25 Sport Coupe by pulling the engine but has since lost interest and the car is collecting dust and debris in the garage. Located in Salem, Oregon, this project could be yours here on craigslist for $6,000 OBO. Thanks for the Bow-tie tip, T.J.!
The Chevelle SS 396 was one of the best-selling muscle cars of the 1960s. It was so popular that it was a series of its own from 1966 to 1968. Though back to option status in 1969, a record number are thought to have been sold at north of 86,000 hardtops, convertibles, and pickups (the El Camino). A small number were produced “north of the border”, and the seller’s car somehow found its way from Ottawa to Oregon in the past 56 years. More than one version of the 396 cubic inch V8 was offered, but there’s no mention of the rated horsepower of the one formerly residing in the seller’s car.
We’re told the engine and 4-speed associated with this Chevy came from the factory, so they should be numbers matching. Though the odometer reads just 36,000 miles, the V8 was pulled for a rebuild and then work came to a halt. Given the level of dust and things stored in or around the Chevelle, that was probably some time ago.
It seems as though this SS was painted silver and has a red interior, a once attractive combination. The interior is dirty and there are some imperfections, but it might be cleaned up well enough for a daily driver. Standard equipment on the Chevelle SS 396 was power front disc brakes, free-flow exhaust, and an F41 sport suspension. We assume all of that is still in place and the rest of the car is complete, it might be a nice and rare SS 396 to get back on the road – someday.
Well this definitely needs some work and I’d like to see more of it, but at least it has all of the important #’s matching parts. Might not be a bad deal if it’s body and frame are solid.
THIS is how to buy a car, do a rebuild / refresh, and drive it.
If the underside looks as good as the rest, definitely deal (steal) of the day!
Unless the frame is rotted along with every body panel it’s a steal at the asking price. Even if the engine is pulled and is not the original it won’t make a difference at this price point.
There is one caveat, last week a friend sent me a copy of a CL listing from that area warning of a scammer posting fake ads in order to get people to send him deposits. One of the ads the scammer posted was for the same red 1970 Chevelle SS featured on this site a week or two ago.
Steve R
Never send a deposit. Hallmark of a scam. No car is work risking throwing away money. I always try the test – I’m not far I can come see tonight and pay deposit in person. If excuses start as to why this can’t happen, it’s a scam.
Steve, you’re probably right.
I emailed a very polite inquiry yesterday morning and have not received any response, a shame that people have resorted to such scams.
If it’s too good to be true…
Without a Protecto plate or Canadian GM build sheet there is no way to determine if the engine/drivetrain is numbers matching. When it sound to good to be true it usually is. I agree with Steve R, this is very likely a scam!!
The intake manifold on the engine pictured is from a 66 or 67.
Steve R
Steve, good observation. A 69 should have a Q-Jet manifold.
It IS possible to tell if the drivetrain matches the car. The last 6, maybe 8 positions of the VIN are on the pad in front of the passenger side head, and ALSO on the transmission case. Yes, those numbers can be doctored, but generally a person can see the legitimacy of the stampings.
Not always.
I always loved the 69 SS.
My cousin had one in the early 70’s 4spd.
396 ,325hp.
I really think Chevy under rated the horse power because it really put you back in the seat when he punched it.
It was orange with black stripes.
I really loved that car.
I see the picture of the odometer reading 36,000 and the pedals below it screaming 136,000.
Why would someone have added Malibu emblems to the quarter panels ??? There were Canadian built big block cars in 66 and the first half of 67 that were badged as a “Malibu SS”, but not after that.
Disappointingly, you’re the first person to catch this detail. I guess some people want to believe.
Ya, makes no sense. The Malibu SS was only produced in Canada from 1964 till 1967. I actually didn’t know that big block Chevelle’s were called Malibu SS in Canada till I saw one a couple years ago.
I think someone just slapped a SS396 badge on the back as it’s not painted black as a true SS would have been in 69
I have seen 3 or 4 of the 66/67 Malibu SS cars. The ones I saw were SS small block cars with the odd emblems (MalibuSS). I can’t remember if 6 or 7, but they were legit. Canada cars. I have read an article or two saying that some 69’s from Canada had the Malibu emblem. These articles were from people who should know, not from Volkswagen quarterly magazine. Not 100% on the 69, but 99.9 % on the small block 6 or 7 cars. I don’t know who you are, but with your monniker, you should know as much or more than I know. ????
The cowl tag calls out L34M40. That’s a 350 hp 396 paired with a TH400 automatic. So either the 4 speed was swapped in or the cowl tag was.
The block casting number and suffix code show it to be a 350hp chevelle 4 speed block. Which now points the question at the cowl tag showing the M40 auto
Are you referring to picture number 5 of 11 in the CL ad? What I’m reading on the tail end of the last line is L34M20. Where do you see L34M40?
Steve R
Wow! Sorry Steve! You are correct. I don’t know what the hell I was looking at. My eyes must’ve been crossed and saw a 4 instead of a 2. Lol. Thanks for correcting me on that. Then yes, all codes line up as correct.
The author states it came from Ottawa. Ottawa being home town I looked at the add. Don’t see anywhere indicating it came from there. GM’s Canadian plants are all in the greater Toronto area (Oshawa etc).
Please,the body,trans,interior,wheels and trim are worth more than six grand without any engine. It’s been listed for 6 days and still available? I call total BS
It’s worth asking the price if it’s not a true SS.
That Intake has a Holley bore and bolt pattern. It’s an oval port the 69 oval port used a Q-jet. It looks like the intake we pulled off my friends 66 SS with a Holley.
Most definitely a scam!
My brother’s wife had one, her father bought it for her. And wow could she shift that thing. Lol
All SS Chevrolet….. Impala, Nova, Chevelle, all had black panel between the taillights. It’s already been said, but the Malibu emblem is a big red flag
The listing was flagged and removed. The punched trunk lock was a major warning.
This was 100% a scam. The car is actually in BC Canada. There is a scammer that has a particular affinity for Salem, Oregon Craigslist. There have been numerous “too good to be true” scammer ads posted there.