The Chevelle SS 396 was one of the most popular muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The model was promoted to series status between 1966 and 1968, reverting to an RPO option on the Malibu after that. This 1969 Sport Coupe has been sitting for ages, perhaps in the desert, and is said to have a bad original engine block. Baking in the sun out in Yucca Balley, California, this once-powerful car is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $20,000. Hats off to JP Blackhurst for the tip!
Why the SS 396 reverted to option status in 1969 isn’t known. Its GM cousin, the Pontiac GTO, which started the movement in 1964, was a separate series three years longer (to 1971). Demand was still high in ‘69, and three versions of the 396 cubic inch V8 were offered that year: the L46 (325 hp). L34 (350 hp) and L78 (425 hp), all adding up to 78,000 assemblies in the last year of the wild decade, the ‘60s. While it may be numbers matching, there’s no indication of which one of this trio is in the seller’s dormant Chevy.
The Super Sport wears baked blue paint and a worn interior with bucket seats. It has a manual transmission (still in the car?), which should be a Muncie 4-speed. The vehicle may not be complete, and the seller’s suggestion that it’s “perfect for a restoration project” is optimistic.
The cost of whipping this Chevrolet back into shape will not come cheaply and will take a lot of sweat and tears. But the title is said to be clean, and the seller encourages would-be buyers to make an offer. What’s your top dollar on this “opportunity”?
Knowing how to tie a good knot can always come in handy:-)
It’s not a parts car but it isn’t worth 20K either.
No sir. And I’m not fond of the way she squats. Tail Dragger!
Look out Chargers, the competition is catching up
She’s wrapped up like a present. I also dig the Breaking Bad set location.
Horrible ad, but worth a drive if you live in the LA area.
Steve R
A Chevelle that’s into bondage. Interesting. The Chevelle L78 had 375 HP. A 425 HP 427 was available via COPO only.
Close! In ‘65, the Corvette had a 396 L78 that was rated at 425hp. It wasn’t COPO, and the same engine was rerated next year at 375hp.
The 427 is a different story
No, correct. The only way to get 425 HP in a Chevelle was via COPO. The 425 HP L78 was 1965 only, and was available in the Corvette and full-sized Chevrolets.
Need to see if them there Remington XT-120s will air up
A restoration project? Maybe for someone with a net worth of at least two commas.
Clicked on it to find out about the ropes. Still curious.
I see cars like that all the time here in Cleveland, only they’re being driven.
In 70 the brochure had a red ss with ropes over it holding it down. Had bars driven in the ground tieing it down. Was a cool pic
Exactly what I thought of when I saw this picture! LOL
Check out both back corners of the hood . Both sides are bent to almost a 45 degree angle . My guess is the hood has no latch and the rope is keeping the high winds from blowing the hood into the windshield,….again !
No mention in the listing of which engine this has, so the transmission may very well be a Saginaw. Pictures are of little value, no information in the listing text, so in less you live in the area, and are brave enough to have a look in person, it would be foolish to pay more than half the listing price, if that.
Could very well be a 3 speed. That was the base transmission in the 69 SS396.
Naahhhh.
Sorry not a 20g car no matter how the numbers match. The work that it will take with an initial 20g investment to make it prestine again!, you can find one already restored. This Chevelle will take a heck of a lot of sweat & tears.
LoL at these delusional people. It’s about a thousand dollar parts car. Period.
That’s ridiculous. The steering column and 12 bolt by themselves would bring that.
Steve R
To far away for me. I’d go 6k , probably no motor or just short block left in it. If original tranny it’s a Muncie 20 or 21.
3 spd manual was the standard trans
I wouldn’t go any higher than $10k, simply because running and driving examples of these can fetch $50k or more at auction, but I think it’s really worth about $6k.
The Good: Dry desert climate means only surface rust. The Bad: The engine looks like it’s MIA given how the car sits, no clue as to why the original engine is out of the car. The Ugly: The interior and the cost to restore could easily top $50k, more if you pay to have all of the work done by a shop.
To sum up: A good restomod candidate if the original motor can’t be repaired due to fatal damage (cracked block, seized pistons), but restomod or original restoration, it has the potential to be a big money pit!
The ad states that the original block is in “bad shape” and likely in the trunk adding to the sky high nose up. $20k car, I don’t think so, but a $1,000 parts car, not even close. If so, I’ll put in an order for 10 right now!
Subtle reference to Chevy’s 1970 Chevelle ads w/circus-elephant-ropes “tying down” the almighty LS6…….but that’s a “no cigar” here.
Nice….and gone daddy gone…..
Seems like someone made a trip out to the desert to see it in person, them made a deal.
Steve R
does any body know where one can get parts for these cars. I am in need of a lot of interior like seats and head liner among other things.thanks in advance
Google what you need
good start
Does the crankshaft turn? It has big tires so someone was punching it now and then, maybe racing from a traffic light or just having fun. I see it as an opportunity. Where do I make an offer?