While the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 was certainly Chevy’s mid-size go-to muscle car in that august year, the L78 equipped version with its 375 HP engine was the holy grail. It seems that when one of these turns up it is either a number 1 condition, trailer queen specimen, as in completely restored to the hilt or a “youstabee” that has long since lost its original engine and a lot of other important stuff. This find appears to be rather intact, so let’s look at it closely. It is located in Kenwick, Washington and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $31,500.
The seller correctly states that this Chevelle is one of 9,486 L78 versions produced for the ’69 model year. That is about twice the number assembled in 1968 and an increasingly popular option in spite of the fact that it was not advertised, referenced or promoted. One big difference between ’68 and ’69 was the inclusion of a three-speed automatic transmission as an option in ’69; ’68s and earlier model years only utilized a manual transmission.
The seller states that this 56K mile Chevelle belonged to a friend who purchased it new and stopped driving it in the early ’80s – no reason given as to why. The finish is obviously shot but the body appears to be mostly rust-free (“hardly” any rust according to the seller), a major accomplishment for a GM “A” body of this generation, especially one, that based on its exterior appearance, has seen substantial outside time. He does reference two holes in the floor – both sound minor, and a cut-out in the firewall which appears to have been for a cowl-induction air feed. The included image of the trunk floor is not showing signs of anything more than surface rust – typical. Rounding out the exterior is the complete trim (the plastic grille has a minor problem), still bright chrome bumpers and the correct Magnum style wheels.
While there is no image of the engine’s number pad, the seller does state the ID as being T0327KF which translates into Tonawanda, New York (one of Chevrolet’s engine foundries) and March 27th as the casting date. KF is the correct alpha code for Regular Production Option (RPO) L78, a 375 HP, 396 CI motor attached to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. While an image of the engine’s number pad or a legitimate build sheet helps with the L78 authentication, knowing the code is beneficial and there is a correct Winters Foundry “snowflake” aluminum intake manifold attached to the top of the engine; the air cleaner, however, is not original or correct. Interestingly, the seller makes no mention if, or how, the engine runs but one image clearly shows the alternator spinning so at least the motor is in running condition. Of note is the referenced “chambered exhaust” system, a really neat, mufflerless, seldomly seen option. Noise standards killed it off after the ’69 model year.
The interior belies the exterior’s condition – it looks quite good. The black vinyl upholstery is showing only the slightest signs of wear, remember that 56K mile claim and the Rosewood steering wheel, headliner, dash and instrument panel are in very nice shape. The carpet, however, at least in the driver’s footwell, looks like it has seen water intrusion, an explanation for the two rust holes? The tachometer’s 6,000 RPM redline is another testament to the L78’s presence.
On the surface, it seems like a paint job could put this Chevelle back in tall cotton. It would be nice to know a bit more about this Chevy’s engine’s prowess, its underside integrity and the “hardly” any rust comment but this example appears to be a pretty good foundation for a restoration of a very coveted Chevrolet muscle car. The last thing to consider is the price, it’s a bit out there; what do you think, does it add up or is it too expensive for what this car is?
Drive now. Figure out your plan next spring. Winter is coming.
My brother had one that he bought from my dad. He worked for Chevrolet as a salesman, anyway the car ended up spinning a bearing. Chevrolet replaced the short block and a week later it did the same thing. He traded it in for a corvette.
Same thing happened to me in a 65 Vette with the same engine. I’ve said before and I’ll say it till the day I die, this engine is JUNK!
I’ve had at least 6 396 cars and every one ran as hard as you wanted them to.unless you tried 7000 rpm.they arent 327s.and if you treat them way they will explode.but I did run my 402 up to 7200.but it was made for it
yes spun bearing are a common issue with almost all muscle cars especially 4-sp cars, mis a gear and there they go.There was more problems with these cars when the rear gear got into the 4’s and even some guys put 5:13 gears in to help win the races. With the stock cam 6500 was pretty much the limit for power and chevy put the redline at either 6 or 6500 depending on the year.As MSD boxes came in the rev limiter chips saved a lot of motors from the junk heap.
“Me” tells the true story. The bottom ends of big blocks could not survive RPM. I ran the one I had very hard, but kept the RPM under 5800. Was a great motor. Had 2-bolt mains, and this one should have 4-bolt main caps.
Drove a friend’s 454 Vette at an autocross, and before my first run he said: “Remember, it is a Big Block.” I knew what he meant…. No need to wind it up tight, the power is plenty below 5500.
The 2-bolt big blocks were not ever going to make it to 6k and not blow up but any 4 bolt motor had the good parts in it forged crank, rods and pistons.. I bet I have built over a hundred big blocks and never had one spin a bearing but did have one drop a valve when the guy missed a shift. I think it is still a coffee table.I have a 427 Biscayne right now that runs like a scalded rabbit. All the good parts in it and a 4-bolt block
Optioned out nicely. Good colors. A bit high but if the motor checks out to be the original, you don’t find that every day. Yes it will cost money to restore, but if you can get him to slice just a little off the price it is worth every penny, plus what you are going to stick in to it. That’s why it pays to buy the top dog motor of any year….you can if you need to, get your money back.
If there was any way at all, I’d be all over this.
The SOLD sign would already be up.
That is, unless it is a rust-bucket underneath. Bad rust on the bottom side would slow me down…
well boys. it sure is grate to here all your story’s of your old cars. and your old barn finds. But just to give all of you a little story!!
I bought me a 1969 SS 396 L 78 big block in 1972. It had less than 12,000. miles on it. the car was pretty much just like it was off the show room floor. the only issue it had was the tail pipes going over the dif. were bad. I got the original MSD sheet on the car. It was built with every performance option that that could be ordered. Except power seats power windows and Air.
and the one thing different then your story’s .Is I Still have mine. It has 57015. miles on it now. I’ve keep it stored in mi garage for the last Third years. I’v just resonantly got it out and went through it all. Got it back running good. Its Realy cool to feel its old school power and sound.
Well gentlemen not quite sure how to start this. I’m the guy that purchased the car. It was everything that Tim said it was. The only thing missing was the carb. But I have located and installed it already. There was 2 small 50cent size holes in both front floor that I repaired. All in all the car runs and drives amazing all my buddies tell me to paint it. I tell them I just want to drive it and not worry.
Hoping to get some fresh pics with my other chevelles when the weather gets nicer. I’ll keep you all posted.
My brother bought a 68 Chevelle SS 396 375hp with M22. The car cost something like 3400 off the show room floor. Unfortunately the car got totaled in a head on collision. A friend bought the engine, ended up being junk the collision distorted the #8 cylinder. Broke all the ears off the Muncie! The car was lightning Fast! BTW brother got broken leg and stitches.(Lucky)
Big money car if all matching numbers. Even for an automatic.Would love to see better pictures though
Really nice car with the right look for barnfinds. Scruffy but it wears it well.
Spot on interior for a Chevelle like this, as far as I know the turbo 400 tranny in the L-78 cars had stiffer shifts, meaning higher under full throttle and firmer,,, I could be thinking of the wrong Chevy.
Well, the L78 is the top gun SS 396 Chevelle both then and now, for different reasons I guess, the former involving much abuse with the right foot and why not a lot of originals survived.
Not a lot of them survived because nearly every one blew up. Back in the 70’s I was reminiscing with Jack Douglas the owner of a big Chevy dealership in Hinsdale, Il, and he told me that nearly every one he sold spun bearings or threw rods. Chevy would give out a new short block the first time. Maybe fix it the second time, if you were lucky. After that it was easier to just throw a 427 into the car, and then they would just rust away.
Great car but too much money for too much work.
No thanks.
Is it just me or does 31k seem low for a genuine L78 in this market? It’s, um, patina wouldn’t be holding it back the way people have been spending money over the last few years. And it’s been for sale for over a week now, which is interesting.
Certainly looks like the real deal. There are a ton of clones out there, since 69 was the first year without a specific vin for the SS. But again, this looks legit to me.
I had a 69 el Camino for 20 years, and a 69 small block Malibu, that I would love to have back. I would tune and drive this hotrod as it is. The price is fine in my opinion
Numbers matching L-78 Chevelle’s are like hens teeth. Have to check the rust issue but it is still a little high for the looks it has now. My thoughts are in the 20 to 25 k range.Nice Wish I was closer to see it in person
I have a 1968 SS 396 that was bought from the original owner and it has a turbo 400 horse shoe shifter, I have also seen other 68s with the 400. I also have owned a 1969 375 with the aluminum heads, back in 1973 that was a four speed car.
Yes but is yours, and the others that you have seen, an L78 or are they the lesser L35 or L34?
JO
Im normally a big 4 speed advocate but this thing is pretty cool. Depending on rust price isn’t bad. L78’s bring good money when restored. An original chambered exhaust car makes it unique, very limited run. A friends brother had a bright red 69 Malibu with 350/auto combination and a set of rallye wheels. Real slick car then that we all liked, could only imagine this one done up.
You can buy a restored 375hp 69 for around 65 to 75 why would you spend this much on a car that would take every bit 0f 50k to bring back plus a auto car never brings the high end of the market..20k tops for this one.
Kennewick Wa. is bone dry country. Not exactly like Arizona but you don’t see rust in cars if they lived their life there. All the rubber is usually dried out though. :-) Terry J
If a guy bought it and put a TKO600 5 speed in it, would that be a sin?
A good reason is because the lower price is affordable, then you do the repair work at your leisure instead of just dropping a big chunk of money all at once. The term is driving while restoring.
Good luck doing that. Once you start taking it apart to fix rust you have a car that is not drivable. Body man can make some repairs but you are not going to be driving this thing to work and back anyway. Mechanically if it needs something rebuilt you are back to a car that you are not driving.I have restored a lot of cars and once you start it just a matter of how much over how long you want to do it. The last car I did I drove it the first year then it took two years before it saw the road again. Just might be my last frame off car. Getting older and the friends are getting weaker to help.
I’m a Pontiac GTO guy what is a chambered exhaust and the benefit?
No mufflers just a series of chambers in the exhaust pipes, less restriction theoretically more power but also very much louder cops couldn’t bust you for an illegal exhaust system but you’d get a ticket for excessive noise every time i don’t recall ever seeing back to back road test with standard exhaust so don’t really know how much if any power it added
Thank you I hadn’t heard of that before but anything that would reduce going through the mufflers would improve performance.
I remember reading a great article about big block Chevy Malibu’s That did away with the need of positraction by adjusting the rear anti sway bar and the springs. I was always skeptical of that.
Holy Grail?
I thought that was the 427 equipped COPO cars. Those are rare. This is special but still several thousand produced.
OK, y’all might think this is a BS story, but when I lived in Colorado back in the late 70’s I bought a 69 chevelle so, with no windshield, front buckets and missing a few other parts, plus the right rear 1/4 panel was smashed in.
I paid a whole $75 dollars, here comes the real good part, it had the orig.wheels and found out later it had a dealer installed 427. It was green on green with a green vinyl top. Fixed it all up, drove it for about 6 years,sold it to buy a house.
Really miss that car.
I had a ‘69 El Camino SS 396 L78 back in the late seventies. It had torque for days!
With out the build sheet, you can’t prove its a legit L78 car.
In the early to mid 90’s my uncle had a ‘69 Chevelle L78/L89 with 4 spd and chambered exhaust- totally numbers matching and freshly restored. That chambered exhaust sounded fantastic! My goofy uncle ( who always had to be a big shot) bought the car but had no place to put it so he borrowed a buddies garage. He pulled the cover up to show me the car, and I asked “ what’s that dent in the rear quarter?” He thought I was joking, but his buddy’s kid had tipped their bicycle over and the handle bar put a nice little dent in it.
Later, he sold it on consignment. The consignment shop had it parked it on the lawn on a nice day right in front a boat on a trailer. Some guy who was interested fired it up, and upon getting out dumped the clutch while it was in reverse and creased the deck lid. Hopefully the person that owns it now can afford the car, and a nice place to store it!
Nice…..does look like it was cared for – sad there is a friend flipping it for most likely a lot more than he paid for it.
i bought a 69′ chevelle SS396/325hp 4 spd…i worked in the parts dept. at our local chevy dealership…i was 19 yrs.old at the time (i’m 70 yrs. old now)…anyway i bought it as a leftover in oct. of 69’…the story goes it was a leftover because the guy that ordered it wanted to cancel his order and to get his money back because when the car came in it didn’t have the raised white letter tires he ordered, it came with the pencil stripe white walls…after offering to get 5 new correct tires he refused…i bought it for $3100 w/tax and sold it for $1800 3 years later…and wish i never sold it…
Guessing those that think the BBC’s blew up at every turn, are likely FoMoCo people. Nothing wrong with that. I ran a big block el Camino for 20 years,on the street and bracket raced, never had any trouble, really never knew any friends with engine trouble. I did have a buddy that raced Small Block Fords, and he had some trouble with his 289 Falcon… mainly because the rod bolts were 5/16″ He sorted it out, and had an awesome car. Folks often make blanket statements from one experience. Regardless of opinions, this is an awesome Chevelle, that most any of us would love to have, warts and all
I would clean it up, fix whatever needs fixin mechanically, and drive it. You see done ones all the time and it is refreshing to see an original one again.
Ok all, I purchased the car!!! It is everything the gentleman said it was. Final price 29k. To small rust holes as stated by seller and both bottom front fenders. All numbers match and runs outstanding. Just ordered a new exhaust system from gardener (6-8weeks). Everything is correct except carb and air clean.
I have a NOS air cleaner
Congrats, looks like a really nice car. 99% of us are jealous