Muscle car sales were at their peak in 1969, and yet Chevrolet made an interesting move with their powerhouse, the Chevelle SS 396. Having been a series of its own from 1966 through 1968, it reverted to option status in 1969. Sales were still brisk and perhaps the reason was to open the SS 396 package to other body styles in the Chevelle lineup. We’re not sure why as the Pontiac GTO kept its series status until 1971. This change makes it harder for buyers today to identify a real ’69 SS 396 or a clone. This garage-kept project may or may not be authentic and the seller only provides a few photos to help make the decision (literally almost no written description). That may be why the opening bid of $25,000 has yet to be cast. This Chevy project is available here on eBay in San Antonio, Texas.
Buyers of a 1969 Chevelle could transform their purchase into an SS 396 by selecting RPO Z25 on the order form. That got you a 396 cubic inch V8 with an output of 325 hp. It also included a heavy-duty suspension, power front disc brakes, wider tires and wheels, and a few more goodies. And just $347 was added to the sales price, which today adds tremendously to the resale of these autos. Two upgrades to the 396 V8 were available, boosting horsepower to either 350 or 375. Estimates suggest that out of 455,000 Chevelles built in 1969, some 86,000 2-door models had the Z25 package. Not too shabby for an option.
You have to wonder why someone would take some not-so-great photos and pay for an online auction listing to provide zero details. Okay, we’re told in the sub-headline that the car has been in no accidents and has a 12-volt electrical system, but that’s it. Given the amount of dust and dirt we see, this Chevrolet has been held captive somewhere for a long time. We have no clue if any of this is original or if the car is even close to being a running machine, even if only in the driveway.
The color of the car under the dust looks dark blue, but black is more likely given the photo we see of the cowl tag. That confirms this car started as a Malibu Sport Coupe (13637) with a V8 powerplant. But that could just as easily have been a 307 as a 396. The plug figure for the mileage is 12,000, so we’ll guess that means the odometer has turned over. If this car is genuine and complete, perhaps it’s worth the asking price. Hagerty says that one of these hot rods in “fair” condition is worth $29,000.
With this car featuring the rare 12 volt factory upgrade, an extremely reasonable opening price, and the concise seller description (who wants to have to read a bunch of words), I am SHOCKED that there are zero offers with over 2 days left in the auction!
Let’s see…
– a seller with a feedback history of “2”, both received as a buyer.
– a VIN listed in the auction description as only “EDR202”.
– no specific transmission or engine mentioned in the auction.
– no interior or undercarriage photos.
Hard pass, with prejudice. At best, this is a parody of a scam ad. At worst… just grab your ankles, Pilgram.
Let’s see.. car was not brought out to sunlight. Not washed no interior pictures .. Looks like big block valve covers. Lack of information on paper. Starting bid $25,000 really! I guess you are looking for a sucker to grab it. Sorry seen to many sales like this how sad! 🐻🇺🇸
it’s worth maybe 8grand where do these fools come up with their prices
Doesn’t appear to b a true SS. Headlight bezel aren’t correct, no black trim. Grill looks wrong. Tail light bezels wrong.
It might be an SS, or it might not be. But the grill is black, which is correct for SS. The extensions (outside the headlights) are black which is correct for SS and which almost never gets changed on a clone. and there is nothing wrong with the taillight bezels. Malibu and SS had the same taillight bezels, the black paint is just all rubbed off of them.
One pic of the engine deck stamp would have been nice. If it is the original engine with the partial VIN stamp (and if they had listed the car VIN) that could answer the question. Bad effort on the seller’s part!
As to the color mentioned in the article above, the trim tag clearly says 51 51, which is dusk blue. The black paint in the trim tag is the firewall blackout paint.
This car looks like it was sitting outside for a long time or a flood car with the rust I see on the hood. Pics are terrible as well as description. Looks like this was someo es early 80’s hotrod with that rattle can shiny black paint by the info tag attached to the rusty firewall. I’d pass on this one for sure.Car needs a ton of work.Find the build sheet and give block and trans #’s and a full vin at least for that kind of opener sheesh.Love the cinder block jack stands.
If the seller were serious, he’d have put more effort into it. Probably another, “no one wants it, honey, so I might as well keep it (and let it deteriorate in my garage until kingdom come)”.
This looks like a pass for anyone with any car knowledge at all!
We’re dealing with the laziest, dumbest generation ever. They can’t spell let alone create complete sentences. Lousy photos, no description to speak of. You would think the seller might educate themselves on how to properly advertise something for sale. This is typical of so many ads on Facebook but not surprising as they struggle to give you the correct amount of change from your dollar. Let’s all lower ourselves down to moron level instead of having any type of standards.
Lol . Art I seriously had that happen recently at a hot dog joint I’ve frequented for decades and the early 20’s gen z’er behind the counter couldn’t even count the change I gave her, I had to help her and it’s a cash only joint. Lololol.
This could be something like an estate sale. Someone who doesn’t knows cars was told or heard a 396 Chevelle should sell for $25k. Any car guy/gal worth their salt would know better.
We’ve seen this many times car guys/girls,,,,the only sure fire way to get out of this murky business is to actually see the car for yourself
The comments about lack of effort/knowledge/fortitude (I could go on) on the seller’s part are warranted. The odds of this not being a real SS are slim. There’s nothing in any of the supplied pics to suggest otherwise. The amount of time it has been sitting would bolster the argument of a real SS in that it would have been done so long ago that the reward of cloning would not have been significant. Were I closer, since I’m now retired and have time, and the ridiculous prices these things have been bringing, and the fact I’m a 69 SS alumni I’d for sure go check it out. The lack of info could easily be explained by the aforementioned lack of experience in selling.
One argument I could make is the lack of SS396 badging on the one pic of the one fender. If it’s a true SS that’s not an original fender. I do know from experience of living, owning, servicing, drag racing and modifying (ok, occasionally wrecking too) these vehicles that the replacement fenders which were OE only did not have the holes drilled for the emblems.
Probably the seller isnt serious. If they were there would be pictures of the interior, undercarriage & exterior.
I go by the adage if its too go tp be true it probably is. A friend of mine had one of these. It had black racing stripes on the hood, roof & trunk. Came from the factory like that. The basels were black. Would have to have the vin # to verify if its a true SS or not.
I say probably not! You can slap a badge on anything. Dont make it so.
this is what I keep saying about people now a days selling project cars on the internet with a ridiculous asking price of $25,000. crappy pictures and no information, and this guy has no real e bay history, he’s not really selling the car he’s ” dreaming ” of selling the car, everybody thinks that their garbage car is worth big money thanks to the internet and reality shows, I’m not saying that this car is complete garbage but I have seen some that are,
Some interior photos would help with making bid. The bid is not going to be the high $25,000, which tells me the seller really does not want to sell
IMO the best looking year Chevelle.
A big Pass on this one, maybe 5k if a complete car. And then start history/restoration process. IMHO,,
Probably the seller isnt serious. If they were there would be pictures of the interior, undercarriage & exterior.
I go by the adage if its too go tp be true it probably is. A friend of mine had one of these. It had black racing stripes on the hood, roof & trunk. Came from the factory like that. The basels were black. Would have to have the vin # to verify if its a true SS or not.
I say probably not! You can slap a badge on anything. Dont make it so.
25g without any verifying info., just might be a malibu with a 327 in it disguised as an SS.
Three months ago I was at a house on business. The husband had a 1969 SS Chevelle in the yard with a 427 badge on the front fenders. He tried to convince me it was a factory 427. Anyone? It may have been a 427 BADGE, but…. Yes, there were a few COPO 427’s and maybe I need to re-examine it. I’m just not convinced a COPO has ended up in my neck of the woods. What should I specifically see on the VIN to know it’s that rare COPO?
Some of the comments here are without merit. That’s a real SS that’s been baked in the Texas sun. Horrible presentation but someone with cash might get a steal on this outside of eBay.
How do you stand on your head to take pictures cool