Many enthusiasts spend their lives on the seemingly unending quest to locate the perfect classic, and some eventually strike gold courtesy of dogged persistence. If a 1960s muscle car has been your focus, this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 deserves a close look. Its stunning presentation suggests it received a refresh at some point, but that isn’t the case. This SS is claimed to be a 100% original survivor with 26,000 genuine miles on its odometer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting an undeniably jaw-dropping classic.
Chevrolet marketed its Second Generation Chevelle range from 1968 until 1972. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1969, and it immediately caused me frustration. The seller describes its positive attributes, of which there are many, without providing an overarching history to explain this extraordinary classic’s story. What is abundantly clear is that the photos and the car’s overall condition appear to support every claim. This SS is a dry-climate survivor that has been garage-kept throughout its life. That sort of treatment and a lack of prolonged exposure to UV rays and the elements help explain why its original Code 67 Burgundy is virtually flawless. It shines like glass, with no evidence of significant flaws. It cloaks panels that are as straight as an arrow, and, unsurprisingly, this Chevelle is rust-free. The Black vinyl top looks crisp and clean. I can’t spot any patchiness or signs of distress, and no bubbles that might hint at unwelcome nasty surprises. The trim is in as-new condition, and the glass is crystal clear.
Any classic is inherently more valuable and desirable if it is numbers-matching, and this Chevelle ticks that box. The first owner ordered the SS with the L34 version of the 396ci big-block, sending 350hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. Is the SS fast? With a ¼-mile ET of 14.3 seconds, I think the answer to that question is a resounding “yes!” The seller claims that not only is the drivetrain original but that this SS has a genuine 26,000 miles showing on its odometer. They don’t mention verifying evidence, and sighting some is crucial when determining whether this classic is worth the price of admission. However, I have a sneaking feeling that a car of this caliber won’t disappoint. They don’t provide specific information on how well this Chevelle runs or drives, but with everything that we know, my expectations would be pretty high.
I was waiting for one aspect of this SS to disappoint, but this classic appears to have no genuine weaknesses. The interior graphically demonstrates this, because it is as clean as you could hope to find. The Black vinyl trim and carpet are free from wear and marks, while the dash and pad are spotless. There is no wheel wear, and I can’t spot aftermarket additions. The first owner limited creature comforts to a pushbutton radio, obviously focusing on outright performance with this classic.
The seller listed this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 here on Craigslist in the Rohnert Park region in sunny California. They set their price at $82,000, which is some serious cash for a car with fifty-five years under its belt. However, the indications are that it has led a sheltered existence, and has never been abused or modified. The seller describes the SS as the nicest you will ever see, and the photos seem to support the claim. I wouldn’t describe ownership as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but unrestored cars of this caliber don’t hit the market every day. Will they score a successful sale for a classic priced above the current market average? That’s a tough call, but I won’t be surprised if they do. After all, someone might be prepared to pay above the market average for a muscle car that is anything but average.
This 69 has been for sale off an on for a good while, probably the better part of the last two years or so. Personally, my wife and I think that the 69 model year is the best iteration of the Chevelle, and this burgundy stunner checks a lot of boxes for either of us. Sharp car albeit perhaps a bit optimistic price-wise.
OK, first of all its on CRAIGLIST and you all know what they say; “If its on Craiglist, it ain’t no good! Seems nobody takes my advise so here’s something else. These odometers are manually operated. When you get to 100k, they turn to zero. Also they can easily be manipulative and replaced. Look for service records to tell the true story. 82k is nuts… especially for a Craiglist Jalopy. But live and learn the hard way, anyone buying a classic car sight unseen is also nuts. I say run away fast. Probably a fake bid as well. jv smashpalace
Craigslist is no different from any other selling platform. You are going to get scammers and dishonest people everywhere you go. Do your homework when you purchase a vehicle and you won’t get burned.
Craigslist, like any platform is designed to get information out. Cars like this, with a strong following will have their ads shared and passed around. That’s why we are seeing it here and likely isn’t the only enthusiast website.
Steve R
I’ll keep your bogus Craigslist advice in mind the next time I successfully sell a car on it with a $5 ad.
I never knew that you could “bid” on anything listed on Craigslist.
Please explain how this is possible.
All the other stuff aside this is one beautiful car. Bit steep on the price but there’s money out there to buy it with.
Way optimistic on the price, and the term “unmolested” doesn’t fit with a set of sticky Hoosier’s on the back. Nice car though!
Does that count for any change of tires, even reproductions, or just these? Tires are an easy swap, they a wear and tear item and effect safety.
Steve R
It was simply a comment that installing the Hoosiers with the giant sidewall lettered drag radials on an otherwise stock appearing car could suggest a certain type of driving. I have nothing against Hoosiers, I bought my first set of Dirt Bozz tires back in the very early 80’s, and have run them on numerous cars since.
The fat Hoosiers are for molesting cars in a stop light drag.
I’ve always been fond of the 396’s, especially the one year only Corvette edition, but unless he’s got original paperwork this should be a hard pass for anyone.
Hottest stick on the rock right now. The ’69, 396, 4 speed Chevelle is without question, the most desired classic at any auction today. Sometimes auctions, depending on the location, favor certain cars more than others, but you can’t go wrong with this car. Not sure why, I think the ’70, 454 was faster, maybe just the name? The year? If the GTO started the musclecar era off, the ’69, 396 Chevelle carried it through to the bitter end. I think there are nicer cars for this price, but none with the nostalgia of a ’69, 396, 4 speed Chevelle and will remain that way for years to come.
Just for fun, can you imagine in 25 years, when folks are scooting around in EV roller skates, getting grandpas ’69 Chevelle running, from that 5 gallons of gas we got off the internet, for $250, let’s go,,,OH MY GOD, what is this thing? ha,ha,ha,,THAT would be priceless,,
Something strange about this car, for an SS it has no dash mounted tach on right side. 138 vin ended in 1968, by 69 everything was an option. I have both years and my 69 has a tach that redlines at 6000rpm. Do your due diligence before spending a lot of $ on this.
Most SS’s didn’t come with a factory tach, only 24,852 ordered factory gauges across all 1969 Chevelle’s, not just SS’s. There are better ways to verify a car other than relying on the presence of a specific option.
Steve R
It’s not mine so it’s over priced! :)
Somethings not quite right with this one, 396/350, 4 speed, but no gauges? It is a bit overpriced. $60,000 sounds more reasonable, if it’s all it appears to be.
Most were purchased without the factory optional gauge packages, and adding aftermarket gauges was one of the first day-two mods performed.
Show me a Build Sheet and Protecto Plate and I’ll give you $60k for it … in cash.
Guages mean nothing on a 69 SS Chevelle. Look at all of the 69 COPO/427 Chevelles. Most, if not all of them had NO guages. Many or most of them did not have power steering either. The engine paint on this car looks about right for a low mileage, 55 year old car. If this car is worth 60 thou, 80 thou is not much more. If legit, it is worth at least 50 thou all day long. If someone were really interested in this car, they would probably be able to afford a plane ticket to Sunny California to check it out before shelling out that kind of cash. Just my professional opinion.
Every time I see a ’69 Chevelle 396 I’m reminded of the time that it hit me that I might be “driving too much in the fast lane of life”. I had a 1955 Chev convert in high school and one of my fellow FFA members got a new 1969 SS 396. We decided it was time for a race after our FFA meeting. So off we went. It was “door handle to door handle” with neither of us giving an inch. After we passed the local county cop shop while the guys in the back seats (our witnesses for the race) were passing beers back and forth between the cars, AND we started heading up a blind hill. I decided right then and there that I had passed over the line of sanity. I backed off the same time my buddy did, so I then hit the brakes to get back over to my side. Fun times, but I never see one of these without that memory. I personally prefer the 1966 and 1967 models. Maybe because I had a 1967 SS 396 4 speed car later in life.
Was an aluminum radiator stock in ’69? Picture #6 in the add definitely looks like one if you zoom in.
Good catch! Aluminum rad it IS. Should have a 4 core brass. Playing devils advocate, perhaps the owner put this in to help it run cooler in the California heat without having to add auxiliary electric fans. If that’s the case, I’m sure he’s retained the original radiator. If not? Easy enough to pick up a date code correct one.
JE you’re going to have to earn it. Maybe in time. First impression are hard to beat down.
with such low claimed miles why does it have those big fat meats in the back? looks to me as though it gets a shlacking at the stop light or why else would you have those tires on it. no mention of proof of miles. lot of money for this car. I don’t know.