The seller identifies this car as a Malibu SS 454. But in 1969, it was called the Chevelle SS (based on the upscale Malibu) and the 396 cubic inch V8 was the top engine. The new 454 powerplant didn’t come along until the 1970 model year. The seller’s grandfather bought this Chevy new in San Jose, California, but the motor has no doubt been replaced and we’re not sure if it’s a real SS or a clone. Located now in Las Vegas, Nevada, this sharp Chevy is available here on craigslist for $26,000 (firm).
Chevy’s Chevelle SS 396 was so hot that it was a series of its own from 1966 to 1968. After that, it reverted to option status. That doesn’t mean it had become less popular as more than 86,000 copies were produced in 1969, most being Sport Coupes from the Malibu Series. If you assume this is a real deal SS, there were plenty of them out there back in the day, and they’re not exactly rare today, either. The seller has put this car on the market not because he/she is looking for something else, but because medical bills have added presented the need for cash instead.
Grandpa no doubt thought a lot of this car and it has stayed in the family forever until now. The Chevy has 44,000 miles, but we don’t know how many of those may be associated with the 454 engine. An automatic transmission is part of the occasion, likely a TH-400, but was it changed to go along with the V8? We’re told the Malibu runs well, thanks in part to a rebuilt carburetor and a tune-up. When not in use, this car lived in a temp-controlled environment.
We wish the seller had provided better photos as the ones provided may not do the car justice. The exterior shots show more asphalt than car. But if the automobile is what the seller says it is, the asking price doesn’t sound like crazy money, even if not numbers-matching. Thanks for the interesting Bow-Tie tip, T.J.!
Grandpa 👴 got the groceries in a hurry.
Yes… And poor Grandma clutched the dashboard in horror yelling,”SLOW DOWN CHARLIE!!!)
Nice.
Ad is already gone.
Whether or not it’s a real SS if it was built well you could easily justify the asking price. It would have been nice to see all if the pictures in the ad as well as read the description. The console is not from a Chevelle but is from a late-60’s Impala.
Steve R
Wow, had I’d viewed this last night I would’ve thrown down asking price. Always wanted one of these. Who cares original or not for that price? Color, engine, wheel setup…checks all the basic boxes. I would make the correct interior changes with new carpet, console and cover the seats in black vinyl. This is a beautiful machine and you’d never have to worry about one just like it at your cars n coffee!
Chevelle, not a Malibu. I worked at a Chevy Dealership back then, and my job was to prep new cars for the showroom floor after they came off the “portable parking lot” transport truck. A little CB lingo for you car buffs. Malibu was a trim designation, meaning it was top of the line in accoutrements.
No doubt you know your stuff, Thomas. However we need to be forgiven for the Malibu SS reference as Chevrolet did call them Malibus from year to year. It was typically offered with Malibu trim although for a couple years could be optioned on a 300 series. Pretty rare those were. They later begat the Heavy Chevy.
I’ve got a 1969 rectangle port cyl head 396 BB core that would be perfect for this car.
Always my favorite year. This is a cool car especially if the story holds true. The idea of an original owner going all day two, or year two, on a car is exactly what we read in these comments every day. Nice ride.
Agree. Those are not Chevelle seats either. I owned a bone stock 69 SS396, 350hp, 4spd, black interior, Olympic Gold ext. ’69 & ’70 seats were identical and were more “high-back” buckets. My guess is this is an attempt at a clone. Still my favorite year Chevelle and I had 4 different ones over the years.
Grandma was probably a hot looking girl in her 20s when she bought the car.🤔
Equation not “occasion” sorry to be the grammar police….
Airplane shifters make me quiver.