Some cars provide no great surprise when an owner lists them for auction, and the bidding goes ballistic. Such is the case with this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. It may not be a numbers-matching classic, but it has already attracted an impressive forty-one bids since the seller listed it here on eBay. It is located in Hickory, North Carolina, and the intense action pushed the price to $30,100. However, that figure remains short of the reserve.
This Chevelle is a genuine mystery, beginning with its paint color. The seller admits it received prior panel and paint repairs, but the current shade doesn’t “gel” with any on the 1969 color palette, suggesting a previous owner performed a color change. The paint is presentable and holds a nice shine, although the seller states it requires some touch-ups to improve upon their condition assessment of 6.5/10. If the buyer wants to drive away in a completed product, the seller will organize the touch-up work at a cost, which is an option many may find tempting. They also note a couple of prior rust repairs, but the repairer used welded plates rather than gallons of Bondo. They supply this YouTube video that shows the underside. There is some light surface corrosion, but the lack of visible penetrating rust suggests this Chevelle is rock-solid. The glass is in good order, and the wheels and trim are acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle.
As with the exterior, this Chevelle’s interior condition is serviceable. However, there are notable shortcomings for potential buyers to consider. The headliner is damaged beyond repair, with the pad in a similar state. The carpet is faded, and at least one door trim sports damage on its upper edge. The Green vinyl seat upholstery looks excellent, as do the rear seat trims. The factory radio made way for a CD player with speakers in the rear parcel tray. There are removable aftermarket gauges, including a column-mounted tach. Sourcing the parts to address these flaws shouldn’t be challenging, and spending around $1,100 should leave it looking pretty nice.
For many purists, the sticking point with this Chevelle rests with what’s under the hood. The seller’s documentation confirms this is a genuine SS 396, but its original motor is long gone. In its place, we find a 402ci big-block of 1972 vintage. It has clocked less than 1,000 miles since a total rebuild and features a Flamethrower electronic ignition, headers, and a Holley 680 dual-line carburetor. The power output is pure speculation, but it would be safe to assume the figure remains north of 300hp. The 402 feeds its power through a new clutch and a rebuilt four-speed Muncie manual transmission to a 12-bolt 3.55 Posi rear end. The recent mechanical refurbishment includes a front-end rebuild, new shocks, a new box for the power steering, new springs, a new heavy-duty aluminum radiator, and new Cooper Cobra tires. The car runs and drives well and is a turnkey classic where the successful bidder could fly in and drive it home.
If this 1969 Chevelle SS 396 were 100% original and numbers-matching, even with its apparent shortcomings, I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest bidding would need to top $50,000 before passing the reserve. It is rock-solid, and its presentation is acceptable for a driver-quality classic. However, it isn’t original or numbers-matching and has some apparent paint and interior needs. Attending to its flaws would not be difficult, but there’s no way we can avoid the fact that its original big-block is a distant memory. That will negatively impact its investment potential, but I won’t be surprised if it tops $40,000 before the hammer falls. Do you agree?
I would bet by the green interior that the original paint color might be a green. Just my guess. Nice car but it sounds like the reserve is going to be higher than it’s worth. No it doesn’t need a ton but it needs enough to where it’s not going to be cheap.
Yes frost green. I owned a 1969 Chevelle 396 back in the year of 1969. Now I wish that I had kept it.
I agree with the prior comment-color of int. The gold looks really nice,but green int. doesn’t fit with my palate. white or black would fit. Green was a good bet on the original is green. I have a friend that I found a original 69 SS that is dark green outside and green inside- nice color combo. We got his chevelle back in the 80s and he managed to keep it all these years in his garage. O ya it has a green vinyl top. He has done a lot of work to in the last few years and it coming along nicely. Wayne also has kept the original engine,Cool!. This chevelle is so far from original go black with the int. and get the paint issues done and you got a nice SS Chevelle.
I love the color and having the 4spd as usual for me checksall the boxes. Weird color with the green but I’d take it.
Nice driver not so perfect that you can’t enjoy driving it too much money but a good by at half the reserve
No way is that 69 worth 50k. Not numbers matching, paint needs work, color combo is hideous, needs interior work, engine bay needs detailed and cleaned, etc.
I can find a lot nicer chevelle than this one for 50k.
Looks like a fun Chevrolet 🙌
am i the only fool that prefers the aggressive look of the ’69 to the ’70 SS?
No you’re not the only one. I think 70s are overrated, 69s are much more aggressive looking, guess that’s why I own one and it’s my 3rd one lol
Nope – me too!
Same here
The 69 body looks better than the 70. Front looks better and the rear looks better especially. I do not like the taillights in the bumper does not look as good as the 69. Too bad that the LS6 454 engine was not an option. We had two 69 Chevelles when I grew up one was the blue Malibu and the regular Cheverly did not have carpet but it had the same green seats as this car being bid on. The exterior was light green but later it was painted a Forest Green.
No! I see so many ’70’s on different sites that I even left a comment that I was beginning to believe that 1970 was the only year they made a Chevelle. Personally I love the ’69’s. I was going to leave a comment about the color of this one and state I had never seen one in this color. The write-up answered my thoughts. I do like the color though. The first this the buyer needs to do is change it to black. It’s a nice looking car but I question the price/value.
I like 2 chevelles 67and 69 both would make your heart beat fast .69 with the cowl induction , blue with those wide white straps and those Crome rectangle exhaust with resonators was about as bad as it gets 👍
Nope poseur your not I had a 69 L78/ 4sp car, had a lot of fun with that car still think it’s one of the best looking Chevelle models made
How do u post a car to sell on here I got a 57 chevy
https://barnfinds.com/sell/auction/
Something about those wheels that just makes it look bad*ss!
That motor has quite the patina on it for only 1k miles. Looks like orange overspray on the hoses.
Nice, I don’t even understand the numbers matching thing, Mecum is on this weeked, and there are more and more restromods, and a few with just new drivetrains. When I want to invest I want stocks or bonds, not cars. (watch this) if I want to drive I want a car. There was a time, long ago, that if you found a Tri-Five Chevy with a 327/350 you did a happy dance.
This is a classy car
https://www.mecum.com/lots/PJ0616-245286/1968-chevrolet-copo-nova-ss/
This famous, valuable Nova does not have matching numbers.
I wouldn’t touch it…north Carolina? forget it…keep looking for a Nevada new Mexico Arizona California car…all these southern states turn up terrible cars and the problem is you won’t really know how bad it is until you get into it and take a DA to it with some 60 grit… guaranteed to find problems everywhere ..live and learn…
Gold and green, some one is definitely color blind.it’s a shame some one screwed this car up hopefully someone will put it back in tune again