Buying a classic car that represents an older restoration can be an attractive proposition. If it still presents well, that can be a fair indication that the work was completed to the highest standard. That would appear to be the case with this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396. Its restoration was performed 30-years-ago, and it still presents superbly today. The owner has decided to part with this muscular classic, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Jamestown, New York, and while the BIN has been set at $39,900, there is the option to make an offer.
Some cars have the “wow” factor, while some don’t. This Fathom Green SS396 definitely has it, and it is hard to find much not to like about this beauty. For 30-year-old paint, it looks pretty impressive. The owner says that it does wear a few marks, but nothing shows in the supplied photos. The White vinyl top is equally impressive, while the panels are laser straight. The Chevelle received new rear quarter panels and new front fenders during the restoration, and they remain as laser-straight as the rest of the body. The big question with these older restorations is always going to revolve around rust. If the work has been slipshod in any way, that will reveal itself over the decades. That is not an issue here because not only are the panels clean, but there are no bubbles visible under the vinyl. Shifting the focus below deck, and the original floors and frame look clean enough to eat off. The chrome and SS wheels are flawless, while the same is true of the tinted glass.
If the Chevelle has a down-side, it is the fact that it is no longer numbers-matching. The engine block is a 1969 casting, but it isn’t original to this car. The cylinder heads are original, while the vehicle also features a 4-speed M21 transmission, a 4.11 12-bolt Posi rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. That big-block was recently pulled, resealed, and given a cosmetic refresh. In its heyday, it would have produced somewhere around 350hp, but the story is a bit different today. It has been treated to a few upgrades, including a hotter cam and headers, and now produces around 400hp. In its original form, this beast would have stormed to ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds. It would be a fair bet that it will now better that mark by a fair chunk. The car has recently received a new booster and master cylinder and a new dual stainless steel exhaust. I’m sure that you won’t be surprised to learn that the SS runs and drives well.
Along with the mechanical upgrades, the Chevelle’s interior has been subjected to a change or two. None of them destroy the character of the car, but purists might disagree with them. It was initially trimmed in Green, but this has been changed to Black. The original bench seat has made way for buckets, but everything else remains unchanged. The interior shares one other attribute with the exterior; There isn’t a lot to be critical of. There are no wear or damage issues with the upholstery or carpet, while the dash and headliner look perfect. The gauges are all said to work as they should, and the cluster features the factory tachometer. The dash features a factory AM/FM radio, while the original owner handed over the additional $105.35 for the power window option and $22.15 for the rear window defroster.
The owner of this 1969 Chevelle SS396 doesn’t believe that it is perfect, but its condition still remains stunning. I am always attracted to older restorations like this because they have managed to stand the test of time. This hasn’t been a 100% faithful restoration, but it is still a car that will stand out in a crowd. The upgrades to that mighty big-block will provide most buyers with all of the power they could possibly need and would make this an entertaining car to own and drive. It appears to have been treated with care and respect over the past three decades, and I hope that the next owner continues that trend.
The dealer who is selling the car is understating they modifications. It has an aftermarket intake, ignition and dual feed Holley. On the interior the Hurst shifter has the wrong handle, it should curve backwards, this may be hard to reach, plus under dash gauges and toggle switches. You can almost put money that at least one of the convenience options were added at the time if restoration, such as the power windows, rear defroster or upgraded factory radio, that’s what people did in the 80’s.
It’s a nice car, but far from stock, the next owner should be sure it’s what they really want before purchasing.
Steve R
Agree…
While I do agree not having the original engine hurts the value of this Chevelle, I don’t think it makes much difference due to the car having the 350 HP 396. If it had originally had a 375 HP version, then, yes, not having the original engine would make a big difference.
In fact, I see very little difference in prices for these Chevelles when they have had a 454 installed in place of the low-horsepower 396. I feel that is because the difference in power between the two makes up for the missing original engine. Let’s face it; low-horse 396s are nothing to write home about.
Another popular trend I see in these cars is to put in a 454 and then dress the engine and the car as a 427.
It seems like all the odd, undesirable color combo cars survive better than cool looking ones.
My favorite year Chevelle. I had a 1969 El Camino, long ago, which is probably the car (truck) I miss the most. Good looks, good handling, just an all around great ride.
To Steve R.’s comment on the shifter stick (not handle), I see it in the correct position, directed back toward to seat. ??
Nice looking machine, the only thing I dont like is the vinyl roof…on any car really. I favor the black bucket seat interior over what it had originally and the engine upgrades are just that. Upgrades. With cars like these it was always about unleashing more power where the factory left off.
Hit me strange that this car is presenting in restored condition longer than it did in original condition thirty years ago, and looks so clean.
My ” baby ” sister has a vaguely similar looking 70 Malibu in that it’s a dark green car with white vinyl roof and I think this combination is good looking. Her’s has a white vinyl, bench seat (IIRC) and unfortunately only a 307 and PowerGlide. But these Chevelle/Malibus of the late 60s to mid 70s will always look quite attractive to me…a near diehard Ford fan.
Oh boy does this being back memories ,when I was in 8th grade my dad brought home a new one just like this one same color same vinyl white top and a 4 speed. The only difference was it had white hood and trunk stripes I was crazy for this car, but he didn’t keep it more than a few days and traded it in for something forgettable, why dad why??
Only a few days? Talk about being teased! What did your dad not like about it…..I know these kind of cars weren’t nearly for everyone, maybe five percent of buyers, especially 4 speed models. That’s a painful story, Desert Rat.
I don’t know perhaps the 4speed because all his other cars were mostly autos, but who knows he was always trading cars.
Panful story number two, one day he brought home a new 1970 Torino GT 429 auto, white with red int. and had the yellow/orange stripe on the side with mag. 500s I think this came right after the Chevelle, prettiest car I’d every seen. He kept it about two weeks, said it rode too rough, traded it for a 70 Galaxy 500. You see why I need therapy…
Better Question is – “What did He NOT LIKE about His Son – Desert Rat”? LOL!!!