Throughout the 1960s, the Chevy Impala was the GM division’s most popular automobile. Styling and practical, they sold in six figures every year during the “Flower Power” decade. This fourth-generation convertible was built in 1969 and retains its original 396 cubic inch V8, though the motor has been rebuilt and the rest of the car restored some years ago. This beauty was owned by the same party for many years and would only see weekend use. Located in Lakewood, California, this Chevy is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds and eBay where the current bidding hangs at $16,100 (no reserve).
In 1969, there was no such thing as a Chevy Impala SS 396. You could get an Impala, you could get a 396 engine, and you could get a Super Sport – but you couldn’t get them all together. The 1969 model year would be the last for the once-popular Impala SS, but it only came with a 427 motor and saw just 2,455 copies. The car’s elderly owner added the SS badging to this sharp Garnet Red convertible when it was restored about 20 years ago.
Chevrolet built 14,415 full-size convertibles in 1969. Since you couldn’t get one as a Bel Air or Biscayne, that number covered both the Impala and Caprice with more of them being the former. This one has the desirable 396 V8, but it is the least powerful version at “only” 265 hp. The car is numbers matching and comes with a stack of paperwork that will attest to some of the vehicle’s history. That includes being passed down from one family member across several decades. In recent years, it’s seen limited use, living in a garage hanger and venturing out for car shows at 66,000 miles.
As you would expect, the automobile is said to run and drive great. Though it looks spectacular, the seller calls it to be in “nice driver quality condition” due to a few little nicks and dings here and there. The older restoration included the matching interior and convertible top. The 15-inch Rally wheels are complimented by Firestone Redline Coker tires. This is a beautiful machine that hasn’t seen crazy money bidding – yet.
Ahhh…it seems as I grow older, I have mellowed out on pointing out wrong items, or non-stock items on any ’69 full size Chevy. I think this has to with seeing a picture of a lady with a big smile on her face and pants to match the color of her car. Check out those wide white walls!
The 396 this year (full size only) had a 2bbl. Lots of torque, close to matching the 335 hp 427 4bbl offered for one year only. This has some aftermarket pieces, probably making north of 300 horses. Looks good under that hood!
Anything that that may not be correct for the year should not effect the driveablity of this one. Any of those items can be addressed in time. I counted them up. I’ve owned over 11 ’69 full size Chevys. Hence the username Big_Fun!
I’m very sure the new owners smile from the sights and sounds of driving this Impala will override any negative comments from anyone. If there are any at all!
Funny how we think alike! I’ve owned four 69’s and can pick apart what’s not right on them too. The oddest thing with this particular one is the use of 68 SS door panels. It does present nicely though, and believe me, you could spend the current bid price and then some to restore one. I’m sure when I put my 69 Convertible up for sale, people will tell me what’s not right with it as well. I tried to make it what I would have wanted if buying it new. Of course I was only ten years old so that wasn’t a possibility. Mine has the Caprice hidden headlights, lower valance moldings, and clear parking light lenses. It wears a Bel air/Biscayne hood with the small Chevrolet script, caprice taillight lenses, and rear skirts with Rally Wheels.
Love it. Red on red. When GM was great. Not today.
Beautiful- slap a set of duals and Flowmaster 40’s and letter rip. Great story to go with it. Classy lady!! Good luck!
Cheers
GPC
Why do you want it to sound like a late model Ford Mustang? Everybody has their own opinion about what a car should should like. I think it needs is the right set of glass packs to give it that Harley Davidson rumble kind of sound. Can anybody tell me what kind of glass packs that was used on the General Lee? The Dukes of Hazzard was on TV from 1979 to 1985. All I know is the glasspacks were bullet shaped and they had a medium blue color. Who made blue glasspacks back then? Are they Blue Boys glass packs or did those come out later?
Perfect for a xmas 🎄 parade 🎅
Had a ’69 Caprice with a 396.
Don’t even talk to me about gas since the
Gas Crises began right after I got the car.
I never heard of a 396 with 265 hp it was always 325 350 375 hp is this true?
I had a 69 with a factory 265 hp 396…smaller cam and a 2 barrel. The car rode like a piece of junk, handled like a bus and performed live a Vega. I don’t recommend it.
In ’69 only, the full size 396 was 2-bbl 265 hp. If you wanted more, step up to one of the 427s. The other 396s were available in the Novas, Chevelles, Camaros and El Caminos.
AL, the L66 396 2 barrel was a one year only option, it was supposed to be more economical then a 4 barrel but they didn’t sell as well as they wanted so it was discontinued. However they are considered rare because they were only 6% of the total production. I had a 4 dr hardtop Caprice and I bought it from the original owner and it had a 140 mph speedometer from the factory but it never would have ever produced that kind of speed and I have never seen another one with that speedometer mot even a 427 SS. Wierd stuff happens on production lines sometimes and I think when they built it some line worker may have accidently grabbed a police speedometer who knows but everytime I see a big block 69 its the 1st thing I check.
I thought the HP rating sounded lower than than any number I’ve ever heard and if that is the correct rating then it would have to be due to a 2bbl carb or it’s a misprint. Idk just guessing
Amazing what a set of rallys and redlines can do!
Had a hard top in high school in 1976. It had a 350 with a 4bbl. Rode like a dream and handled well. Sorry to see it go as I was headed to Air Force basic and no where to keep it.
This is sharp! If you want to spend your time nitpicking the minutia out of it than you wouldn’t deserve owning it. So let it be and enjoy a nice car that you can have some fun driving. Love Barn Finds, but sometimes you keyboard experts really just suck the enjoyment out of a car with your alleged knowledge of EVERYTHING.
Amen T.S…
A lovely automobile. I’m happy that the owners felt free to enjoy their investment as they pleased!