It is often said that they don’t make ’em like they used to. That is undoubtedly the case with this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. You could walk into a showroom today and slap down the cash on a modern vehicle that could match this classic’s performance, and that car would do so while offering greater refinement, equipment levels, and comfort. But there’s the rub. As good as it might be, a modern muscle car doesn’t provide its driver with the same raw-edged and engaging experience. This SS is a rust-free survivor with its original big-block under the hood. There is no evidence of prior repair or restoration work, and its overall condition means that many potential buyers would choose to preserve this Chevelle in its current form. It is listed here on eBay in Pepin, Wisconsin. Bidding sits below the reserve at $26,200, but plenty of time remains for enthusiasts keen on admitting a classic muscle car into their lives.
The Second Generation Chevelle, released in 1968, bore little resemblance to its predecessor. The styling gave the new model a greater sense of presence and proved to be a showroom success. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1969, with its new owner ordering it in Dover White. This was the most restrained shade offered by Chevrolet in that year and helped cars of this type not to attract undue or unwanted attention. With a set of steelies and factory hubcaps, this Chevelle would have been a sleeper whose potential was only suggested by a few subtle badges. The seller says this is an unrestored and original classic. There is no evidence of prior repairs or damage, with its steel welded and bolted together by the people on the production line. It is rust-free, with the panels looking clean and the underside shot revealing no evidence of problems. The paint has some chips and marks, but they are to be expected from any classic of this vintage. The chrome and glass show no signs of problems, while the Rally II wheels add the right level of attitude to a car of this caliber.
Chevrolet’s big-block V8 range has attained global legend status, and it is easy to understand why considering the specifications of the 396ci monster under this Chevelle’s hood. It may be the most conservative version offered in the SS 396 range, but it still churned out 325hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque. The original owner teamed it with a three-speed manual transmission and a 12-bolt 3.36 Posi rear end, although the three-speed has made way for a Muncie four-speed. Performance is all you might expect from a combination of this type. The trip down the ¼-mile would take 14.6 seconds, which remains very respectable more than five decades after this beast rolled off the line. The only non-original drivetrain component is the transmission, with the owner claiming it has a genuine 49,997 miles on its odometer. They don’t mention verifying evidence, but the winning bidder will receive documentation that includes the original Build Sheet. It seems the buyer won’t need to spend a dime on this classic beyond their purchase price because they assure us it runs and drives beautifully. If you’re searching for a car where you can fly in and drive it home, this SS could be a strong contender.
The seller’s interior shots aren’t the best I have seen, but piecing them together paints a positive picture. It features Black vinyl upholstery with a front bench seat. There is no evidence of severe wear or damage, with every surface suggesting it has been treated respectfully throughout its life. I can spot scratches where the keys have swung in the ignition and hit the column, but that is one of the few flaws worth mentioning. Otherwise, the interior needs nothing. Somebody fitted a retro-style stereo, but sourcing and installing a genuine radio should pose no challenges if the winning bidder wished for a more “factory” appearance.
Yes, they don’t make ’em like they used to. I don’t believe that is a bad thing because it is one of the reasons why enthusiasts are drawn to classic muscle cars like this 1969 Chevelle SS 396. They harken back to Detroit’s glory days when the American automotive industry let down its hair and produced relatively affordable vehicles with mind-bending performance. Many of these cars succumbed to the hard lives their designers envisaged, while others fell foul of rust problems. This SS has avoided those perils and stands proudly as a survivor worthy of preservation. It has attracted twenty-six bids at the time of writing, and the inherent desirability suggests it will receive many more before the hammer falls. Will yours be one of them?
The 396 was introduced in early-1965. I’d had one brush over the years with the 396 when my father and my uncle got their hands on a 1965 Chevrolet Impala pillarless hardtop while buying out an estate. This estate sale thing was a side-interest for the brothers then in ’72. I was asked to clean the car in preparation for resale. That ’65 Impala didn’t really need much TLC. The fabric seats were protected by thick vinyl see-through covers. I could see that the blue fabric covering the seats was immaculate underneath the slightly yellowing vinyl.
I cleaned that blue Impala up after school, homework and delivering my newspapers over the course of five weeks or so. I don’t remember the time frame I was given to prep the car but I didn’t feel rushed.
As a bizarre aside I got Dad’s permission to install a Cherry Bomb glasspack muffler on the car. Naturally I let that 396 roar a little bit while there wasn’t a muffler on it at all. Our nearest neighbor didn’t appreciate that and he told Dad and I caught some hell for it.
One of the kickers to my rambling story is that my father and uncle only wanted $800 for the ’65 Impala. I was a full-time student with a paper route and 800 bucks looked like all the money in the world to me. I couldn’t swing that amount and I don’t think my father was interested in my negotiating terms to buy it.
Right before Dad and Uncle D showed the car for sale they cut-off the vinyl seat covers. I remember those fabric seats showing like new; which, basically, they were. I’d done a good job cleaning/waxing it and I was permitted to take it for one last ride. That 396 made that heavy car go like the wind.
Adam, this is very well written. It does harken back to a very special time when competition was fierce between car makers. Nostalgia is very powerful.
This is a nice Chevelle. Do not know a lot about GMs but to some the trans swap may be OK because this classic shows overall care not many received -for over 50 years.
This deserves another caring owner and special Home. And to be driven.
Wisconsin? Isn’t that snow country?
Yes it is, but that does not mean that the car lived its life in WI. People move, cars get sold. I was in the military, cars move with a PCS all the time. Years ago, this was a concern, but it isn’t as much as it used to be. I’ve moved 13 times. Still an in-person inspection or a qualified appraisal is recommended.
@ $27k it’s a realistic price.
Indeed I saw one for sale through a dealer. Now mind you this is through a dealer so he’s making a pretty good Buck too and the price wasn’t much higher than I think 27000 ish $27,000ish
figmo
I’m in… probably end up too rich for me though.
With 50,000 miles on it I don’t think you have to worry about driven in the winter
I grew up in Chicago, and got my license in 1968. There were many guys that put their cars up for the winter and bought a “winter beater” for the season.
Same in Pa. The old “winter beater!”. One of my favorite winter cars was 76 Oldsmobile Omega with a 455 transplant. Dogleg burnouts for miles!
Where is the Muncie 22 that came with the car????
The ad says it was originally a 3 speed manual and now it has a 4 speed.
Pardon my butting in but, i can’t leave wrong for being right
Unless special ordered, The true 1969 Chevelle super sport
Had a 325h/396/ or a Spec Hi Perf.fuel injected 375h/396 Muncie =M-21 4sd Transmission/11’clutch… 69″ Was the year of options by Gen. Motors. they didn’t hold back , great year for hotroder’s
Kerry, there was no such thing as a “Spec Hi Perf.fuel injected 375h/396”, the 375 HP was equipped with a 780 CFM Holley carb. 1965 was the last year for the with fuel injection, only available on the Corvette.
The 3 speed manual trans was the standard, 4 speed was an option, also they never had fuel injection.
Nice write up and car, but wouldn’t this be the third generation?
To the 69 Chevelle guy , I’v owned> Red 64′ malibu 2d 283 auto / Red 65′ chevelle SS 327 4spd /Blue 67′ Chevelle SS 327 4spd 373 posi./ Blue 68′ Chevelle Malibu 327 turbo400 And my pride and joy>>>A TRUE FACTORY Cannery Yellow 69′ Chevelle SS Fact.375H 396 M-21 4SPD 373 posi Headers & 21/4″ pipes Walker Mufflers Pwr Disc Brks Std Steering Blk vinyl top Blk pin strip Blk SS Interior gauge pkg Blk Velour Seat’s Chrome SS Hood Inserts Deep Dish Polished American Slotted Mags G60’s x4 Front Performance springs Rear overloads.(Going by your description),I have to ask ,SO…HOW MUCH DO YA WANT FOR THAT WANNABE SS ????, I Don’t talk out of a paper ahole…HOW MUCH????
Kerry C..this comment reads like a late night drunken rant! Lol
Harry, LOL… I scrolled up to see who he was ranting at… have no idea.
Hi Harry,
Well to tell ya the truth , i don’t know why this ended up on this sight as it was meant for a guy on another sight that thought i wasn’t showing enough interested in his Chevelle for him to shoot me a price and so i decided to prove how real i was, as for my post reading like a drunken rant????,
Iv been called some things that would make a street walker blush and i’v been accused of a lot more things in my time (some even true) but a drunken rant isn’t one of them until now so i will remove my drunken rant and i’l see ya in the funny pg’s…
All good Kerry lol Good negotiating approach if that’s what you’re saying lol
Nice car
SHPE was designated for the FI 327 engines(Super High Performance Engine).
Good friend had a white 1969 Chevelle with a 307 auto trans on the tree. While not a performance vehicle, it was nicely styled, a cool ride to highschool, supplied by his dad.
It actually is a very nice car. It was originally from Georgia not an original wisconsin car. Needs some fine tuning and a little TLC but its a really clean car. It did cost me more than 27K but it was well worth the price i paid for an all original numbers matching low mileage car.