This Chevelle might be an amazing find. Or it might not… The seller doesn’t really give us enough information to be sure. 1969 was the first year you could add the SS 396 package to any two-door Chevelle so it was possible to turn a base post coupe into a firebreathing beast. That fact makes this particular project even more interesting than most SS 396 cars out there.
The SS package came with a bench seat as standard so there are no hints in here. Personally, I’d pick the bench seat over a pair of buckets in my muscle car anyway. There’s just something cool about going bare bones when you have a big block. Then the focus is more on the go than the show. The door panels are missing and the rest of the interior needs attention but black is the easiest to redo.
And here’s the heart of the beast. There were four 396 power levels available in ’69 ranging from 325 to 375 horsepower so any option would be potent. The more power though, the more valuable so it would be nice to know which one is fitted here. The cut hoses and missing auxiliaries do make me worry that this engine might have been dropped in there recently though.
Some black steel rims with dog dish hubcaps would complete the stripper muscle car vibe here. As long as the floors are solid, my main focus would be on getting that engine running and those brakes stopping. Let’s just hope this is a legitimate SS 396. It’s listed here on eBay with no reserve so it might be worth the gamble. Take a closer look and let us know what you think in the comments below.
This one has a number of questions. Its definetely built on the base model 300 Chevelle. However nothing shown in this ad identifies the vehicle as a legit SS 396 Chevelle built on the 300 model. You would think the base model would have had the manual trans. This car has a auto trans with options like A/C and power brakes. The A/C hardware is missing. The interior door panels are missing another question mark? No real good pictures of the interior or dash? Plenty questions with this car.
Have to agree with Scott, this is a really rough car all around. Fresh spray can undercoating and dash is really beat up without a good look at the instruments. Disaster under the hood. If it’s real there aren’t too many, don’t know if it’s worth going after without a though inspection and a fat wallet.
I’m guessing this a built up car. The engine’s not original. The “323” block is a 396 that was used in 68 only, and the “XH” suffix code is a 68 trunk engine. It appears to have a 68 Chevelle steering wheel, not 69. Big blocks used a different steering coupler, but the pictures don’t show a clear view of this car’s coupler. A 10 bolt rear would be a good indicator of a conversion too, SS’s came with a 12 bolt, though a 4 bbl 350 came with one too.
While AC wasn’t uncommon in southern cars, even on base models, I’m not sure this is an AC car. All 69 Chevelle’s came with lower outer dash vents, as part of the Astro-Ventilation system, but an AC car would also have an upper, center dash AC vent. This car doesn’t have the center vent. Either the dash cluster has been changed, or someone was adding the AC.
Lets not forget, the VIN listed is not correct for a 89 Chevelle SS.
It’s on FB Marketplace for $20k located in Chattanooga TN, the ebay ad says it is located in Valley Head AL. The distance is less than 1 hour.
if this car was legit it would be 325 or 350 hp with the ac …..also there was only 3 big blocks for ss…..325, 350, or 375 hp
Yeah you’re right only 3 big blocks don’t know where he got 4 from unless he meant the 265 HP 2bbl 396 but I’m pretty sure that wasn’t available in 69 and i think it was a truck motor only i had a 69 SS L78/4sp still miss that car
265hp was available in 69 but only in caprices I believe and then one year only……
My grandpa bought a new Impala in 69, and it came with a 396 2bbl; I remember being disappointed that it wasn’t a 4bbl. Beautiful car – white steel top over medium blue.
You can see the A/C evaporator.
I had a silver 69 Chevelle post 2 door. it had the base V8, automatic, air (I think), dog dish hupcaps, power brakes, but no power steering. Around 74, upgraded to a VW camper and nobody seemed to want it. I added power steering and still no buyers. Ended up selling it to a friend for $700. His wife said it was the best car they’d ever had. It had black vinyl upholstery with white stripes. I thought the stripes looked stupid and dyed them black. It’s at the beginning of a movie about a concert at Big Sur in 69.
Needs a white stripe down the side along with a lot of work. Currently at $13,200 no reserve seems to be a good price.
For a guy that calls himself “chevelle-dude1969, there is an alarming lack of information regarding this car.
I don’t know about 1969 being the first year for the 396. My cousin had a1966 ss396 he special ordered from Chevy with a holly 650 double pumper from the factory
1965 was the first year of the 396 in a Chevelle, the infamous Z16. They only made 200 of them.
201 Super Sports to be exact. And a grand total of 1 documented black two door 300 post with the Z-16 drivetrain. Featured at MCACN last fall. Probably seven figure car
My recollection is the 375 hp 396 had an aluminum high riser manifold. Anybody agree?
I ended up with this car, crazy to see the conversation around it. I snatched it up the day before I left for a big trip so I didn’t get the chance to really dig into it. Here is what I know…
-The cowl tag has it as a 69′
69 13427 KAN102747
760 50 50
09A 03253 XZ
-The 396 is numbers matching. I only checked the block(3916323) not the heads.
-The previoius owner put a 4 speed in it
-An old man in Alabam was in the middle of “restoring” it, got sick and couldn’t finish the project. I bought it from the guy who listed it on Ebay
-It has a 12-bolt in it.
-The steering wheel does not seem to be original.
-Ole dude had several 70/71 Chevelle. He was in fact a Chevelle-Dude.
The car is pretty rough but has good bones. Good enought to drive for a while before stripping it down for the big redo. I am in contact with Dan Vasick and will dive deep with him when I get back from my trip.
Lookig for soem door panels and door glass if anyone is holding.