We’ve recently seen a few low-mileage classics at Barn Finds, with some having more believable stories than others. The one for this 1969 Chevelle SS 396 sounds plausible, with the current owner rescuing it from years of garage hibernation. They went over the car with a fine-toothed comb, returning it to its stunning best. The time has come for it to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Cleveland, Ohio. Although the bidding has raced to $40,600, it is no surprise that it remains below the reserve.
I usually treat extraordinary mileage claims like the one being made about this Chevelle with a grain of salt. However, there is more to this car than meets the eye, and its history makes the claim worth examining. The original owner purchased the vehicle with the express purpose of using it in competition. The drag strip was to be its home, meaning it clocked its journeys a ¼-mile at a time. It competed regularly at a local strip in Cleveland until 1971 when the original owner parked it in their garage. The seller rescued it from that location in 2014, with its odometer showing 6,038 miles. They undertook a program to return it to a roadworthy state, although they didn’t plan a Concours restoration. It received a professional repaint in its original shade of Burnished Bronze, and although the seller indicates it isn’t perfect, the presentation is impressive. The paint shines beautifully, and the panels exhibit no significant bumps or bruises. The biggest issue facing these classics is rust, but this car is as solid as the day it rolled off the line in Baltimore, Maryland. The panels are clean, and the limited underside shots confirm the floors are solid. The chrome and glass look excellent, and the car rolls on a set of American Racing Torq Thrust wheels that suit its character perfectly.
The only confusing aspect of this Chevelle is its drivetrain, and this is due to its competition history. The original owner raced it for a while before it suffered an engine failure. They pulled the original big-block and slotted in a replacement. It continued competing until it repeated the “loud bang and lots of smoke” act in 1971, which is when they placed the car in storage. The engine bay still contains a 396ci V8, with the listing suggesting it may be the original motor rebuilt. They commenced the project by treating it to a .030″ overbore, lifting the capacity to 402ci. They filled it with high-performance parts, including a forged crank and pistons, new rods, a Competition Camshafts roller cam, and roller rockers. Externally, it inhales deeply through a Holley 850cfm carburetor, with spent gases exiting via headers and an exhaust made from stainless. The engine initially produced 375hp, but popping it on a dyno revealed it now churns out 478hp. The power feeds through a new TH400 transmission with a 2800/3200 Stall Converter to a 12-bolt rear end featuring an Auburn Posi unit and 3.23 Richmond gears. The suspension received further TLC, including upgraded brakes, tubular suspension arms, springs, shocks, and sway bars. This classic would have produced a 14.5-second ¼-mile ET in its glory days, but it should now blow that figure into the weeds. The seller states that it is fun to drive and, despite the upgrades, it works well on the street. It appears it is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
One aspect of this Chevelle which remains untouched is its interior. It is missing the factory radio but is otherwise complete. The Black vinyl on the driver’s seat is slightly stretched, but the lack of physical damage means it is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. The carpet is spotless, as are the dash and pad. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments beyond a factory console, but its owners have resisted the temptation to fill it to the brim with aftermarket additions. If the new owner can locate a factory radio, it will look as it did the day it drove off the showroom floor.
This 1969 Chevelle SS 396 is a superb vehicle with a fascinating backstory. However, such tales rarely add to a classic’s value. It does in this case because it accounts for the claimed odometer reading. It isn’t perfect, but it is a clean, rust-free driver with power to burn. It has attracted fifteen bids, but the action will need to intensify if it is to find a new home. History suggests it will probably need to surpass $50,000 before hitting the reserve, but do you think it will make it?
I know many like the 70-onwards better, but to me the ’69 is a much better, curvy shape than the sledgehammer look of the next gen. An exquisite example here!
Okay help me out here readers…
If the original block now resides under the dog house then why not show two pictures of the block and vin to prove original engine?
I looked up an example to validate 1969 would match..
Example online question using their details in question
“ I ran across a 1969 Chevelle, SS 396 w/VIN 136379b318331. It appears to be a legit numbers matching SS 396 car; 396/350 HP numbers on the block are T1015JE 19B318331, w/TH400 (C 69E 279 E W/8331 ON TRANS PLATE), the axel is 12 bolt (CF 1089/3:31 POSI).”
I hate to say sometimes people say “I think”
When they know…,on original block…
This affects the price of car big time..
Good luck with car that was driven like it was stolen on the track since new 😉
Its a sweet looking ride with a good body unrusted ✔️
The car is good for what it is, but this 8K miles crap, is just that, crap. Who cares? Not original, so don’t expect any extra value about that. Value should be that it is a rust free 69 with a period correct (somewhat) engine, and a more than presentable paint job that runs and drives well. People should be willing to pay for that, but not voodoo about anything else.
Looking at the brake pad and accelerater peddle i would say that car has a lot more miles on it. When I sold my 1971 Dodge Charger it looked like new. But it had 288 thousand miles on it.
Why does the brake booster look ratty…
Wow, Deja-vu from December 2nd…
Such a long time ago…
Answer to last question in the article: probably not. The seller is relisting this car after a failed sale earlier. It was bid to $45k then, so I bet that’s about what it takes. Sorely tempting, gorgeous car, love everything about it and if you could find photos of it drag racing that would be icing on the cake.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185674703946
A true restorer wouldnt offer over $20k for this body and non original engine and trans. Shouldnt be much of any wear on interior, except the accelerator and brake pedals!!!
You must not know your car values on the Chevelle?If you can find me one that nice and SS I will pay you no less than 1,000 finders fee??
I love how people enjoy slamming others as if they even own a bicycle.. Best to just read and move on.. Beautiful car for sure..
108k. Fixed the mileage.
Had a friend in high school whose father bought a 71 fastback/sports roof Mustang and raced it the first 3 years of its life. 2 engines in that period, denied warranty and so on. From 1975 until my friends passing that car never saw the road again. Not sure where it went afterwards roughly 1 year and a half ago. Lots of cars took this path and weren’t well cared for rarely do they have the original engines. I personally had a 66 427 425 hp 4 speed impala that I bought from the original owner. That car saw much of the same early in its life. The original engine blew at 6 months old and was replaced with a warranty block. To me this car is just a nice old car. I would never pay that kind of money for these as they for me were miserable to drive( not much on the stop light gp thing). I never cared for big block Chevrolets had many and still have a few. Rod knockers unless tons of money are dumped into them and then there is the fuelishness. A nicely optioned 350 car is the way to go…
Go anywhere, motor along not having to visit every fuel station. Keep the bipitty bopitty 4:11 shift kit ladderbar hipe cause’ in this day and age that’s nothing more than a giant Hummel occupying garage space hoping for more car market value flip it frenzy to occur. Ofcourse back in the day that was most guys dream, saw dozens run to the ground and pressed into oblivion. Cars like this are feeding on the long lost dethroned parking lot kings to which every local car show now has rows of these.
There were two cars from my youth that I avoided and admired. One was a big block Roadrunner, the second was the 396 Chevelle. Both were very fast and had the cred to get people noticing them. I still recall talking abut ‘that” car when seeing them around town. A car like this reminds me of them. By todays standards, when a Corolla turns 13’s, they aren’t fast at all. But times were different. I like this car, I would like it alot more if I had it in the 70’s…
Lots of dreamers or people just trying to make money. Unless you have mileage documentation I wouldn’t believe it to be 8,000 miles. I have a 69 chevelle SS 4 speed that is a local car. It hasn’t been driven 1000 miles in 20 years. It looks as good as this car. I wouldn’t claim that mileage without proof. Someone always claiming this stuff, show me the documentation before I pay 40-50k
“Although the bidding has raced to $40,600, it is no surprise that it remains below the reserve.”
I’m sure the reserve must be a gazillion dollars.
Beautiful car, 1969 is my favorite year for the Chevelle. The car is perfect for “Cars-n-Coffee”, take home a few trophies at some local shows and not too perfect to be available for long weekend drives. $40K? Maybe not. It is a beautiful car though……
What are all those stickers on the back left window? Only a day left.
Typical seller’s story… claiming this was a nice original low mileage car, at least until they “restored” it. That brake pedal has seen a lot more wear than the mileage the seller is claiming. If it truly had such low mileage, then it was worth more unrestored than it is now.
I bought my ” 69 Chevelle Malibu 307 built in Canada ” Green with the Black Vinyl Roof, for $100 in 1983 , it’s an automatic transmission ( the wife can drive it ) these cars where considered old (back in the day) after 8 year’s mine was 14 year’s when I came across it , it is now 53 year’s old and to me it’s priceless to anyone else under $25000 is probably top’s for a car of this caliber . $40000, $50000, $60000, maybe if Foose put it together but not comfortable with that kind of investment for a everyday Chevelle
Too much MONEY !!!
I DON’T BELIEVE THE MILEAGE IS TRUE EITHER !!!
All one has to do is look at the brake peddle. The break pad looks worn. Theres your answer.
Class winner from Dragway 42 in West Salem, that and Norwalk were the place to race back in the day ! Norwalk , now Summit Motorsports Park , was a great fun, along with 42, toss in Lorain County Speedway circle track, lots of race cars and crowds, all close by , great times ! But can’t live in the past.
If the Chevelle were mine and the mileage is original I would sell it and if did I would not let it go for less than 80 k.
Always loved the horseshoe shifter in the Chevelle and early second generation Camaro. I wish the pricing and demand of these old cars never erupted like it did. Many more car lovers who were too young to experience the “muscle car” years have been permanently priced out of the possibility of experiencing ownership of these historic automobiles. When these cars were between 10 to 20 years old the classified section of the newspaper was FULL of nice examples that were priced anywhere from $500 up to around $5000 for a pristine SS.
Bought a 70 Ls6 4sp Chevelle SS for $2600 Canadian in Toronto
Canada back in 1980. At 18 yo insurance and gas were killing me. Sold it about a year later.
I’ve kicked myself many times over the years!! Pete S.
Paid 1800.00 for a1969 Camaro in 1980. Raced it at Avilla speedway in Indiana until it closed and they plowed it under. Miss those days.
Sold $46,600.
Had a 69 Chevelle in 1977 when I was 18 years old 2 gallons of body filler super sport clone I was probably the first one to ever do that…. 46 years later I still have one red black vinyl top true super sport non-original motor 632 cubic inch 5-speed transmission 4-wheel disc brakes I am now 63 years old and would never give it up. Have been offered $75,000.. Money cannot buy my car. So don’t even try! TG
although it appears a straight forward 69 bowtie, remember…… it was raced hard for awhile and even had a engine transplant.racing like that shakes, jars, stretches and tweaks every component in that car in someway. so to me 40000 us way beyond a reasonable price for this one.25000 is more in the ballpark.but someone out there with a big wallet will suck it up.well any way you have been warned.