It’s not very often that turn-key vintage race cars show up for sale. Usually, you’ll find them with the drive train missing or some anemic power plant installed to get it running and driving. This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle seems to be the exception since it still has a big block high-performance engine under the hood. It can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid over $11,000. According to the ad, the seller was told this was an original L78 4-speed car although there is no build sheet to prove it. The car last ran 11.40s and was a multi-class winner at all the Northern Ohio drag strips. Still located in Ohio, Painesville to be exact, the car is ready for a new owner and some more racing. Check it out!
Here is a great shot of the car in action. You can see a bit of daylight under the front tire, which is fairly impressive for a car this heavy. The dozen-plus window stickers indicate at least some consistent racing history. Raced under several names, the last was “Rat Attack” where it featured fiberglass fenders.
As mentioned before, the current engine is a big block 454 that has 12.5:1 compression with an automatic transmission. The seller believes it is a turbo 400 but says it’s hard to tell due to the transmission shield. The car was last registered in 1989 and has been parked since. The seller put in a new gas tank, plugs, oil, and filter and says it “runs good”.
For a pretty serious racer, the interior is fairly pedestrian. No big roll cage, 5-point belt harness, quick-release steering wheel, or racing seats. Other than the aftermarket tach, you wouldn’t really be able to tell at first glance, this was a drag racer. The seller does say there was a roll cage that was removed and they have new carpet and rear door panels, which is a plus.
Overall, this is a neat car that has a real racing pedigree. It could serve well as a street-machine or go back to living life a 1/4 mile at a time. What do you think?
OK, pay attention here folks, if you want a great street or local strip runner.
The #1 thing about picking up an old racer like this is: NO RUST! Few drivers used these 1/4 warriors during the winter in Ohio, so it was warm weather weekend miles only.
Yes, the chassis has been put through a bit of a torture for half a minute at a time (burnout included, lol) but what I see from the underside is pretty much clean metal, and…. the stock/original style 12 bolt differential, without even a set of ladder bars. Note, the ’69 I had so many years ago hooked up extremely well with virtually no modifications on the factory suspension.
Modifications appear to have been limited to the engine compartment and the transmission, the addition of a driveshaft loop, and lifting-type rear shocks, maybe taller springs?
This car should bring strong bidding, IMO, as the savings over so many project cars is substantial in time and money. I’d love it. Is it too late to ask Santa for an advance on next December?
I’m still stuck on that blue 442 W30😎
Looks like a stick shift to me, and I see 3 pedals…
Yes, I see the clutch pedal too but it looks like it is touching the floor = not in use? Looks like a manual shifter but that doesn’t mean anything. I love 4 speed manuals BUT Automatics win at the track. In 1969 I would believe the manual trans was at the track but not in 2020.
My local track has a stick shift only class for their Wednesday night races, typically 25-30 cars turn out each week. Cars must run DOT tires, be no louder than 115db and run no quicker than 11.50.
Steve R
If I had the money laying around, I’d bid on this. It’s 10 minutes away from me, and I’ve always loved Chevelles. I’ve owned a 65 Malibu SS 327 4- speed and a 67 SS 427, I really wish I could put this back on the streets !
It will be likely be returned to the street. It’s a clean body, which is hard to find. If someone want a race car, turn key competitive bracket cars are cheap, often for just a few thousand dollars more than the current bid.
Steve R
😀great👍car😎
This car is a great buy!
If it was a real SS car, it should have rear control boxed arms. This would be a fun car to drive. Too bad they removed the cage.
Not in 1969.
Steve R
I would make it streetable…and drive the living snot out of it! Doesn’t look like its torque twisted and all the gaps look good. Probably won’t be too hard to go back to a 4 speed
As Steve R said, no boxed control arms as standard equipment in 1969, neither was the rear sway bar (F41 Equipment) with the SS package although almost every one I owned I upgraded with these parts if it didn’t have them. There were plenty of donor cars back in those days, virtually every other A-body had them… but the Chevrolets didn’t.. :( … now there is lots of aftermarket support. 70-72 it became fairly commonplace.
First order of business would be converting back to a stick shift. I’d go 5 speed so I could run a lower rear gear ratio such as 3:73s and still have 5th for the highway. Pedals and shifter are already there!
I wonder if it comes with the other hood, big scoop and all. Wonder if it had the same intake set up back then.
For track duty I’d say automatic transmission, full manual valve body though. Just more consistent and no missed gears. Sharp machine indeed!
Finished out at $16,101
Actually less than I thought it would bring. Shows what I know, lol!
Someone got a really clean start to a nice street muscle car.
This car is in really nice shape for being in Ohio and would make a great restoration cause the body is straight and clean!! I think them leaving the third pedal helps the sale as well just one less thing to do!!!