Larry D found this gem located in Stillman Valley, Illinois. Despite being a northern car, the body and undercarriage appear to be pristine and rust free. The car is a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. The cowl tag indicates that it is a L code car and it has front power disc brakes, sway bars and 3/8 inch fuel line which all indicate that it is the real deal. The car is listed for sale here on eBay with 5 days remaining in the auction. The Chevelle is currently bid to $21,100.
The 396 cubic inch V8 sitting under the hood has lots of aftermarket dress up items including gold valve covers and an aftermarket high flow air cleaner. The car was originally a 4 speed but a prior owner converted it to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. A unique option that was ordered on this car is the speed warning device. The driver can set the max speed indicator and if the car exceeds that mph, a buzzer goes off.
The interior is very nice and includes a bench seat with aftermarket gauges under the dash. I am not sure what the gauges are for since the pictures in the eBay ad indicate that the car was originally equipped with factory gauges. The explanation on the heater and the heater core is a little confusing but it sounds as if it is disconnected. The automatic transmission shifter can be seen protruding through the black carpet in the center console hump.
The seller states that the car needs new tires but the undercarriage is immaculate and well taken care of. The car is said to run excellent and drive straight. The chrome on the car is original and the floor pans are original and solid. The paint on the hood is checkered and overall looks good in the pictures but you never know until you see it in person. I hope this car finds a good home and it is converted back to a 4 speed!
With values roughly 25% higher for 4 speeds? Bet this person regrets making the switch lol
That mistake can be remedied for about $1,500 give or take.
The L on the cowl tag isn’t proof the car is an SS. The Chevelle forum says there are documented non-SS cars with it.
If it were mine, I’d ditch the air cleaner and any other current day performance parts and replace them with 70’s-80’s parts. That will bring continuity to this car and help it stand out in a crowd.
Steve R
Real deal Kansas-Built SS with the “L” code in the trim tag. Appears only the KAN assembly plant did that (sorta like the X code on NOR Camaros).
Very nice condition otherwise. A few stock pieces replaced but appears straight forward to replace.
Cool cloth interior!
I’m assuming this is not the original engine or he would have said that. He leaves out a lot of pertinent info on it’s history
Can you believe that under-carriage?? CLEAN!!! This car will save the next owner thousands in rust repair, this is one of the nicest Chevelles that I’ve seen recently. So ditch the slush box, install a Tremec, Happy Motoring!
IDK… too much ‘black’ paint/undercoating for my liking. Buyer Beware.
put it back to a 4 speed and get rid of those UGLY valve covers
Would have been king of the burger stand with those valve covers – in 1982!
Only if he had the matching air cleaner and gold T-bar tie downs. Real vintage performance parts have been in demand for years. These valve covers sell on eBay in the $150 range, gold Moroso air cleaners for the same, they may not be everyone’s taste, but they stand out when lined up in a row of restored cars or cars with cookie cutter generic modifications.
Steve R
Beautiful Chevelle. Too bad about the trans. It must have never been on the road during the winter – the seller says “THIS CAR WAS BUILT IN ST LOUIS SO IT NEVER SEEN THE SNOW” I don’t know where Stillman Valley, IL is, but I live in St. Louis, and roads get salted here, and they are salted in Illinois, across the river. Bid to $22,500 so far, a bargain.
I dont know, JoeBob, there’s plenty of snow in the sellers pictures. The big capital letters MAKE IT KIND OF HARD TO READ but I like this big bad blue machine here,,,, automatic and all. Underhood dress up items, ahhh, it runs strong. Went to find out if the Turbo400 was built up, no luck but you still have to press in the clutch pedal to start it. Like the ’69 Chevelles.
That heater is particular to a big block car, he has explained how, shown pics, tested it, and it works, and he took the hoses back off, but will re-install for the new owner. Is there a Kansas plant in St Louis, or vice versa? I cannot see one speck of snow on the car: I will bet it is homed within a very short distance of the pictured location. Folks should remember that other folks sometimes have vision problems, and they cannot read small print. Count your blessings. The car is 52 years old, and has averaged about 1,000 miles per year. Someone is going to get a VERY nice car, but it would have been a huge plus to have the original tranny with the car.
Beautiful but I’d have to have a 4 spd for my money. Very nicely done though..
With the 3/8″ fuel line could it possibly be an L78?