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Clean And Green: 1969 Chevelle SS 396

This “true original barn find” (to quote the seller) checks a lot of boxes for late 1960’s Chevrolet fans! It has a remarkably solid body shell and some desirable features — read on to find out more. The car is listed for sale here on eBay where bidding is approaching $10,000 but hasn’t met the reserve yet and is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Apart from what might be just a shopping cart dent in the rear panel trim, this car seems to be free from any accident damage, and that sure looks like original paint to me. The seller tells us that they have not tried to turn the engine over so we have no idea of the mechanical condition.

It does seem to list a little to the left–perhaps a broken spring? Regardless, you don’t find many cars looking this sweet to start with, and based on the Camaro in the garage you would be buying it from a Chevy enthusiast as well.

I didn’t see any overspray when looking at these pictures closely, so again I’m hoping for original paint. The interior wear corresponds well with the claimed 101,354 miles. Thankfully anything you would need to make this car pristine again is available from many suppliers.

Aside from highlighting some previous owners outstanding exhaust hanging engineering efforts, this picture also shows that the underside is remarkably clean and only shows a little surface rust.

I wish we got to see more detail of the engine, but this is it. The seller tells us it is a numbers-matching 325 horsepower car with air conditioning, making it a pretty wanted combination today although there was a 375 horsepower version of the 396 available in the day. You can also see that the grille and bumper are missing, although they are readily available here and here for a lot less money than I would have expected. Overall I think this is a great way to pick up an easily restorable and popular classic — what do you think? And would you leave the paint or go for the full shebang?

Comments

  1. Avatar Dave Mika Member

    And it still has the Rochester on it, as far as I can see. Wonderful carbs.

    Like 13
  2. Avatar Mark

    It’s an A/C car too!

    Like 4
  3. Avatar JamestownMike

    WOW! Now that’s a find! This one has a laser straight, original and rust free body! Very nice! Worth every penny of the almost $10k current high bid. Wonder what the reserve price is and if there’s anything major wrong with the engine?

    Like 4
  4. Avatar leiniedude Member

    One of my favorite style of wheels. As a side note, I know there a ton of Hot Wheel fans out here and you might like these. The USPS is celebrating 50 years of Hot Wheels. https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/hot-wheels-S_569004

    Like 1
  5. Avatar XMA0891

    Would this a three-on-the-tree or an automatic? The shift lever does not appear to be in a “Park” position. Very, very nice car, but even better if it had a manual transmission.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Fred

      If you zoom in, you can see PRNDL

      Like 6
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      No clutch pedal, so it’s an automatic (most likely turbo 400) and the shift lever is in neutral. He probably pushed it out of the garage to take pics. I don’t think they offered the three-on-the-tree on a 69 SS. Agreed, a 4 speed manual would be better!

      Like 6
      • Avatar XMA0891

        Thanks Guys:
        Just don’t seem to have that kind of resolution on my computer. After ’67. this is the year Chevelle for me – But I am going to hold out for a manual if the deed is ever done.

        Like 5
    • Avatar Brian l Sutton

      The Ebay ad says turbo 400

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Bish

    Listed as an SS Car but vin shows it to be a “136” not a “138” car.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Steve R

      The last year “138” was used for SS’s was in 1968. Neither the VIN or trim tag will not verify a 1969 as being an SS.

      The only way to verify a non-Canadian SS is through unaltered engine stampings and with paperwork such as the Protecto Plate, build sheet or other original sales documentation.

      Steve R

      Like 9
      • Avatar Bish

        Thanks, I thought I recalled that change but was thinking of 1971 for some reason? Looks like a decent car but again the pics are dark and lacking details. I’d put a 6L80 auto or Tremec in it, redo interior mess and drive it if the engine is still okay.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Michael Lambert

        69 didn’t have to have 138 to be true SS

        Like 0
  7. Avatar Steve A

    I miss the one I had just like this one, right down to the color combo, back in the very early 80’s. Back then nobody really wanted a gas hog. Think i sold it for $1,800.00! I’d love to get another one, but not at the prices their bringing now.
    Coulda, woulda, shoulda….

    Like 7
  8. Avatar darrun

    I had one that looked exactly like this, except it had buckets and a console. The 396 had been pulled and it had a 327 HP in it, but was not hooked up and running. That was in 1976, and as a 16 year old kid with out the ability or funds to do anything with it, I offered it up for sale. The body was nice, other than a dent in the rear quarter, in front of the rear wheel. I sold it for the grand total of $75. If only I had left it sitting in the barn where it was located.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar poseur Member

    My favorite Chevelle bodystyle.
    Sure looks legit.
    Love the color & ok with the lack of stipes…though the raised hood would be nice.
    And a console shifter for sure….preferably manual but that’s getting picky.
    Wonderful to see such a straight example.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Walt

    If it were a real SS car is well worth 10 K. I am not convinced as I have not read anything about documentation. Drivers armrest not looking original as color was thru and thru the plastic. This one looks to be beige originally. I would have to do a close inspection before I bid on the car. I just have a bad feeling about this one.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Mike

    It should be a coil over suspension. No broken leaf spring.

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Troy s

    Got a flat tire, maybe that’s why it leans? Nice low option model, mechanically speaking, not a street/strip machine like the 375 horse, also didn’t they offer a 350 horsepower version until 1970? There were three it seems.
    Probably why it’s not thrashed from abusive type of owners who beat these senseless being a column shift automatic with the lower horsepower engine, somehow it survived my generation (late ’70’s-80’s) who continued to beat them without mercy. Fun rides.

    Like 2
  13. Avatar Brian Scheel

    Looks like a legit vehicle!
    Vin does not show SS just V8 Coupe , 37 cpe, 13667 convertible, Kansas City car, should have plastic fender liners, closed air cleaner assy, TH400 yes coloum shift seems right, no stripes on hardly any unless late builds, arm rest bases were made of a strange plastic and with the age, you could take your fingernail and scrape it down to the base white stuff underneath, has correct hood, nice to see radiator cover tag, as well as trunk tags, jacking instructions and posi sticker? If original seller should pull back seat bottom out! Most KC cars had them!!! Good luck with price, imho 5grand, buyer beware, find more history, plenty of aftermarket parts, but even more hatefull CLONES then were ever made!
    PS love the Gilley’s bumper sticker!!

    Like 2
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Read the above post regarding the 138 SS vin, which stopped in 1968.
      Posi was optional on a 69 SS.

      Like 3
    • Avatar STM

      https://youtu.be/tb5rJ8WR_Bk?t=3m4s says KC had steel inners for this 70 ls6 rotter.

      Like 0
  14. Avatar JamestownMike

    Seller should inspect the seat backs and bottoms for a build sheet! Sometimes you can find them behind door panels, under carpet and on top of the fuel tank. I heard of people finding multiple build sheets in a car. I had a rust free 70 Chevelle Malibu 2 door and I found my build sheet on top of the fuel tank.

    Like 2
  15. Avatar Brian Scheel

    Yes I know posi was an option code G80 just like it is an RPO code today, but if it had one it would have the white/red lettering sticker affixed to the underside of the deck lid!
    Build sheet for most every 69 I have owned had under rear seat, and yes sometimes more than one!
    69 SS 396 L34 Convertible 2nd Owner, bought in 73, way before dumb###ts were trying to fake them! I’ve made a few men upset with me on telling them that thier car is a clone/fake, especially when they’ve switched from a coloum shift to console!

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Herbee

    I’m surprised it’s not getting bashed for being column shift and bench seat car.

    Like 1
    • Avatar JamestownMike

      Most SS’s had a column shift and a bench seat. A lot of people think the floor shift and buckets are an SS item, which their not.

      Like 1
      • Avatar STM

        Supposedly bench weighs less as well as being std.

        Like 1
  17. Avatar Tricky

    And sold, for $10,299!! A good buy and not a bad car!!

    Like 2

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