We’ve featured a few cars in the past on Barn Finds with celebrity ties, and it’s always interesting to hear what our readers have to say about how much that aspect in itself adds to the value of the vehicle. In some cases, it seems like maybe not all that much, but if it’s the 1969 Chevelle SS owned for several years by The Boss himself, now that’s worth celebrating. Bruce Springsteen got the car back in ’81 and drove it frequently on the Jersey shore until 1987 when he gifted it to a recording engineer, who had worked on several of his albums. But now the Chevy’s looking for another home, so make your plans for May 20th to attend the Mecum Auction at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to place your bid. In the meantime, rock fans can drool over the Super Sport here on the Mecum website.
Roger, thanks for your great tip here! One of the things I’ve always admired about Bruce is he’s so into cars, and I recall having one of his LPs (yes, a vinyl record album) in the early eighties when I was around 15 that had a song with the lyrics something like, “She’s a hot hittin’ Hemi with a four on the floor, a Road Runner engine in a ’32 Ford”. Cool as it was, I also remember my young mind thinking back then I’d have rather have that engine still in the Road Runner, but envisioned perhaps the Plymouth was totaled from the rear and that’s why it was in the ’32. Had an active mind in my teen years. Wish I could remember the name of that tune.
However, that’s not the Springsteen song that has anything to do with the Chevelle. After the SS left his hands in 1987, restoration began in ’88, and went all the way through 2020 to get the car into the condition of his Racing In The Street lyrics. The car was painted black when Bruce was driving it but was returned to LeMans Blue during the reconstruction. It’s got a great stance from the side, and those Cragar S/S wheels and Radial T/A tires are looking right at home on there.
The black and white interior is a great color combo, and it’s looking almost immaculate inside. I’ve always thought it was kind of neat on some cars with Hurst shifters when there’s no center console present, to keep the attention on the stick, and I definitely feel that way here. The convertible top is made of white material, and we don’t get to see any pictures of the Chevy with the top up, but it’s probably going to be down most of the time with the next owner anyway.
Under the hood is a 396, with the engine compartment appearing as nice and detailed as the outside or inside. The big block is connected to a 4-Speed manual transmission, ensuring some happy motoring whether it’s on the Jersey shore or at a racetrack. You may be thinking this is all sounding good, but where’s the proof that this was actually Bruce’s car? No problem there, as The Boss has provided a signed letter stating that the car was his, and if that’s not the ultimate COA I’m not sure what is! What are your thoughts on this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS previously owned by Bruce Springsteen? Any idea how much it may exchange hands for come May?
That figures,,, what kind of car would someone as iconic and American as “The Boss” drive? As noted many times, I couldn’t care less who drove it, just another way of bilking someone for personal monetary gain. I think this is phoofery at it’s finest. Kind of funny in a way, our country today, I couldn’t care less, but someone will shell out the military budget for a 3rd world country thinking what they have is mighty keen, but future generations would give a dink about Mr. Springsteens alleged car. Who grandpa?
States “I couldn’t care less” twice but still writes a paragraph about it LOL. BTW people still care about Elvis’ cars and will for a looong time so why do you think it would be different for Bruces?
We’re lucky he wrote just a paragraph !!! He usually writes a book. 😂😂😂
In all fairness, Elvis was The King. This car does nothing for me unless the glove box door is signed.
thanks for sharing
Anyone remember what car Paul McCartney drove when he started that band “Wings”
Bruce Springsteen,you gotta be kidding,Arron Lewis wrote a song about him,called am I the only one.check it out.
anglia hot rodded I’ve seen it person.
Wasn’t it a Mini ?
The song is Ramrod, from the album The River.
No it’s not.
Yes it is.
It must have been early 1974, I along with friends were in a small-medium size club in Central Vermont (19th Green), dancing, listening to the okay cover band when someone in the audience started yelling “Play some Bruce Springsteen, Play some Springsteen”, over and over.
Didn’t take long for that to become annoying, especially since no one in the place including the band, as well as me had any idea who that was, only that the guy yelling was from “Jersey”. A short time later we all found out.
Cars with celebrity notoriety are almost always an iffy proposition based on that alone, but in this case yeah, some fan will buy this up, maybe solely for that reason.
Kinda depreciates the value to me
Someone may pony up for the notoriety of driving the car the Boss owned. Wouldn’t be me, but nice looking drop top SS Chevelle nevertheless.
Kinda figured “The Boss” would of drove a “Boss 302” or “Boss 9”
I’d have taken him for a Lada driver…maybe a Volga.
I was thinking a Trabant…
I would think Bruce could afford almost any original Boss 429 Mustang on the planet. No need for a clone with a Jon Kaase Racing Engine “Boss 9” build.
The song the author speaks of with the lyrjcs “shes a road runner engine in a 32 ford” is from The River track “Ramroddin’ “
Correction…i meant Ramrod. 42 yrs since i bought the album. The mind is growing weak. 😁
Actually, no it’s not.
Brian Carrier “actually” yes….it is. But you have to actually read the whole article
A roadrunner engine would have a front sump. It’d be a hassle putting it into a deuce. But hey, he’s the boss.
RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.
Perhaps some reading comprehension courses are in order…
Just my luck another “Matt” comes along and posts a derogatory comment under both of mine.
Could this be the 396 he said has fuelie heads??
Yes. “I got a 69 chevy with a 396,fuelly heads and a hurst on the floor” from the song racin in the streets.
Thank god that 20 zillion other people worldwide consider him to be more than qualified to deserve that accolade…he sold his music catalog to Sony for $500 million. That’s probably enough to purchase every car that’s ever been featured in the entirety of Barn Finds’ existance.
I imagine that it must be tough to wrap one’s head around that if you’ve never been a “boss”.
Not a big fan of the Steen anymore, but it would seem to me that someone gifted a car that significant would have at least a) PUT THE STINKING VIN IN THE NOTE, and b) HAD BRUCE DATE HIS SIGNATURE.
Sorry, this supposed “documentation” is so sad and lacking that it could refer to ANY MALIBU on the planet. Think about it – that letter does not tie to THIS CAR in any way. I’d want to see copies of previous titles to start, then MAYBE you’re on to something.
But relying on this “letter” is just plain silly.
I wouldn’t walk across the street to see Springsteen, much less buy a car he owned.
Amen autoworker….won’t listen to his music anymore either……..Bruce who????
This just in: “Bruce Springsteen distraught over comments posted to Barn Finds.”
Film at eleven…
Sounds like his next hit!
Get those strong drinks ready.
Say what you want, love the stance of that car!
I think the car being owned by the”BOSS” makes it worth less. Almost worthless.
The song was not Ramrod. This song was an alternate version, “Racing in the Street ’78”, on The Promise, his 2010 double CD and triple LP of outtakes from Darkness on the Edge of Town. Recorded in late November-Early December 1977, almost three months after the Darkness version had been released.
Youve gotta read the article to actually understand that Ramrod IS the answer to the question the author poses
Somebody didnt read the article
When he’s not on his bike (a Harley) he has been seen driving something like a 52/53 survivor Ford pickup around Monmouth County.
Nice very nice car. I went to school with Bruce we played music in different bands together. Bruce and I shared some moments together. If no one wants the car I will buy it. He really needs to display it at his new museum in Freehold.
Any haters are going to hate. I followed Bruce most of his life and like to think helped push his career. But 60 years later he doesn’t remember me at all.
HAPPY Trails
Allen who ?? Seriously ….. I’d like to know.
Well, it’s a good thing that this wasn’t controversial. Can you imagine if it was a FOX Mustang (even though they knew internally all along that it was really a Camaro) or a TUCKER? Whew…
Well if the “MAN” Did actually own this car don’t you think it would be worth the way it was Back when HE Drove it ?? THINK.
ALSO WOULDN’T YOU HAVE SAVED THE REGISTRATION TO THE CAR SHOWING BRUCE AS LEAGLE OWNER !
SO IF YOU DROVE UP TO Sir.Bruce in this Rotisserie, Completely Redone to Factory specifics Blue Car, Oh Yhea HE will recognize it as once “HIS” Immediately!!
*legal, lol! Oy vey.
This have the nonexistent big-block Fuelie heads like the car in the song?
Thanks Howard, great commentary as usual. Keep it up. 🇺🇸 you’re the Boss of Barnfinds brother. 🎤 🎸 🎶
To me, 1969 was the stellar stand-out year for Chevy designs. The Impala, Chevelle, Camaro and Corvette never looked better. Maybe it’s because I was 15 and could smell my driver license coming. Just an opinion…
“I got a sixty-nine Chevy with a three-ninety-six,
Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor
She’s waiting tonight down in the parking lot
Outside the Seven-Eleven store
Racing In the Streets had to be written about this car
I am glad they returned it to it’s original color plus a frame off restoration. If Don Yenko owned it that would be another story and a whole Lotta Cash. Not a Bruce fan but I’ll take it LOL.
I have the same chevelle, lemans blue convt parchment interior… they didn’t come factory white interior. Mine is L78 engine, never heard of fuelie heads on a big block, and have rock crusher M22 4spd. I guess I should hone my guitar skills?
Geez, is there some kinda rule that says a songwriter can only write the total, accurate truth? They can’t make anything up? What the heck do they do if it doesn’t rhyme? Thank god he didn’t write fiction: what would he do then? I’m with Howard on the previous owner opinion.
Half Off, Because it belonged to springsteen, I’d rather have the HENRY J in the Bon Jovi video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o
This from the guy who is “embarrassed to be an American”. He can keep his car and shove it in his carport.
amen!!!!!!
You must mean “American Exceptionalism”! Give me a break already!
There is an exact duplicate of this car in Lillington NC listed at 72K 6 months ago. I am not a Bruce fan so it wouldn’t interest me for that reason. If you gave me front row seats to his next show. I would sell them to someone else. But I know someone who loves Bruce will throw some serious money at this car. It probably won’t even be a car guy. Probably a European. LMAO
All I can say is, just , GO AHEAD AND JUMP ” !
Nice car why was it painted black ? Just for Brucey ?
Bruce is irrelevant. A commie. Not that popular in nj
Surprisingly, so many singers and actor/esses are. What makes it worth is if it’s an original SS . Which is not.