While most people tend to utilize smaller and relatively efficient vehicles as daily drivers, the seller felt that this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 was the perfect weapon to tackle the commuting grind. It presents extremely well and is ready for whatever its new owner wants to throw at it. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the SS listed here on Craigslist in Spokane, Washington. The seller set their price at $54,000, but it appears that there might be some trade options available for interested parties.
Chevrolet introduced its Second Generation Chevelle range for the 1968 model year, adopting more sculpted but aggressive styling compared to its predecessor. It proved a hit with buyers, leading the company to make only minor cosmetic changes for 1969 when this SS rolled off the line. The updates were subtle, but they helped to easily differentiate Chevrolet’s latest offering. This Chevelle looks stunning in LeMans Blue with a Black vinyl top and Rally II wheels. The car presents exceptionally well for a daily driver. The paint, which is the result of a single refresh at some point, possesses a shine that looks deep enough to sink into, with the seller using the word “perfect” to describe the vinyl. Rust can be a problem with these classics, but the underside is solid, and the SS retains its original quarter panels that show no evidence of problems. The sparkling trim stands out against the Blue paint, and the glass is clear.
We should probably get one fact out of the way fairly quickly for those considering the investment potential of this SS, because the seller confirms that the 396ci V8 occupying the engine bay isn’t numbers-matching. However, the rest of the mechanical components appear to be original, and the combination is mouth-watering. It includes a four-speed manual transmission, a 12-bolt 3.73 Posi rear end, and power assistance for the steering and the front disc brakes. If the air cleaner decal is accurate, this is the L34 version of the big-block that should produce 350hp and 415 ft/lbs of torque. What many potential buyers will find reassuring is that the seller treats this Chevelle as a daily driver. Therefore, it is in excellent mechanical health, raising the prospect that the buyer could fly in and drive it home.
The theme of impressive performance continues inside this Chevelle, which is trimmed in Black vinyl. It features a factory gauge cluster with an integrated tachometer, a console, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio. Those items increase the car’s inherent desirability, and a gauge mounted by the driver’s left knee seems to be the only aftermarket addition. There are no cosmetic issues beyond what appears to be some slight warping of the driver’s side door card. The upholstered surfaces are excellent, there is no significant carpet wear, and no evidence of broken plastic. As with the exterior, it presents well for a driver-grade classic.
While it would prove mighty tempting, I’m not sure whether I would utilize this 1969 Chevelle SS 396 as a daily driver. That has nothing to do with fuel efficiency or user-friendliness. I just couldn’t bear the thought that it might suffer some form of damage in a parking lot while I was off earning a living. I would keep it safely stored in my garage during the week, anticipating the joy that it would provide when the weekly grind was complete and the weekend beckoned. Do you agree?
Oh my. Bowtie street fighter right hereš š
While this is a beautiful vehicle, and obviously not a trailer queen, I find it hard to believe this is currently a daily driver. Its condition is not consistent with a vehicle that is driven more than an occasional weekend cruise.
If I am wrong, kudos to the owner.
Great write up Adam. I wouldnāt be able to daily this car either. I would buy almost any car that came in Lemans blue but this car is a knockout. All the right options and in beautiful condition.
I have what might be the worst luck of anyone in the nation when it comes to parking lots. My 2018 Mustang is basically ready for a repaint due to other people’s carelessness.
No, I would not daily drive it.
Walter most city parking spots are so small and close together door dings are inevitable. I saw a guy with a mint mid90s Landcruiser in the parking lot of a golf course one time. I’d never seen so many dings on a door, I asked him what happened he replied ” I work in downtown Vancouver ” šāāļø
A bucket list vehicle for meā¦ A stick to boot! $54K seems a little low; is it?Just wondering Chevy experts: What would be a fair ask if this car were numbers matching?
Itās probably a bit under market, but this time of year and the location make a sale for ātop dollarā difficult. Spokane is pretty remote, itās 279 miles east of Seattle, Boise is farther. Drop this car in LA or much of the east coast and the seller would likely get a higher price.
Steve R
You have to consider the original engine is missing and there is no way of telling if this is a clone or a real SS without documentation. The document shown appears to be a remake. If that doesn’t bother you, it’s a great looking car! If it doesn’t have the build sheet, there is always that chance that it is a clone. You can’t beat Lemans Blue!
Most of our readers have already said it, but like the others, I also couldn’t bear the idea of this being my daily commuter. Way too nice for that! What a beautiful ride, and great write-up, Adam, thanks for sharing this one with us!
Very nice Chevelle being a 1971 Chevelle owner myself. Perfect drivetrain and clean. For me it would be a weekend driver and I agree with other comments.
Great looking car with the “proper” options. Every blue car that I have ever owned was totaled! I didn’t even have to be in the car. Rear ended, t’boned, side swiped and sitting at a,curb. No blue cars for me.
Wow! 396, 4spd, 3.73 . . . This car must have owned the neighborhood streets when new!
Very nice 69. Little steep on the numbers.
Super nice example of a ’69 SS 396, but in my opinion the ’68 and ’69 Chevelle’s were the least attractive of all Chevelle’s and I can fully understand why the seller would be open to a ’65 or ’67 Chevelle or a ’67 or ’70 El Camino. Still, as mick pointed out, 350 horse 396 w/ a 4 speed and 3.73s would be super fun to drive. Plus, given its condition, I don’t really think that the price is too far off base.
I had a 1967 SS396 4 speed with 4.10 posi. But I prefer the body style of the ’68s and ’69s. I SOLD MY ’67 TO a buddy who made it a much ucer car than when I had it. He never lost a drag (street) race with that car.
A drunk pulled out in front of him and totalled the car. It was gold with a black vinyl top and gold interior.
Spend that kind of $ and daily drive it? Not in your right mind, you wouldn’t! Nice car, a driver for sure, but too nice to take chances with! One I shoulda kept…69 SS 396 L78 4 speed 4.10s…but who knew!
Wow. I owned this exact vehicle. Didnāt have power steering, had Rocket SS wheels and was jacked up like most at the time to fit the big rear tires. By the end was cammed (Crane Fireball 500) Holley 800 double pump on an Edlebrock āhi riseā intake, Mallory dual point distributor, Hooker headers and 4:10s. I showed this to my wife she asked you gonna buy it? We had our 1st date in it. I could argue Iād enjoy looking at the car Iām my garage more than watching the interest grow on the $$$. Not to mention driving it. But alas, I just canāt justify that much money for a car I paid $1300 for when it was only 4 yrs. old. So, Iāll just open up my stock account and look at it. With that kind of $$ Iād buy a C7 and probably will.
You owned this exact vehicle? Or one similar?
One similar. I sold mine to a friend who sold it to his brother who rolled it over. This was not a popular color option. Iāve never seen another in person. See pics like this pop up occasionally.
Also, were it the same car Iād probably plop down the $$$ for it. Maybe not but would be hard not to. Bad use of the word āexactā there on my part.
find it hard to believe that it’s a daily driver. no way in hell i would drive it daily in today’s i don’t pay attention while driving world and a stick shift to boot. i would be happy just taking a spin around the block. this a nice looking Chevelle but i would prefer it if the roof was painted black instead of vinyl
If that tac is factory to that car it came with the L78 375 horse solid lifter engine. The gauge package could be ordered with any engine but would not have had the 6000 RPM redline without the L 78 option or super rare COPO 427. Also the cluster couldāve been changed sometime in the vehicles past obviously. If the VIN supports the 350 horse engine from the factory, that cluster did not come in that car.