Wrecked Drop-Top: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle

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The 1969 model year was another banner one for Chevrolet and its Chevelle mid-size offering. More than a half-million of them were built in a variety of body styles. But only 8,443 convertibles came with Malibu badging and a V8 engine. At a minimum, that includes the seller’s car, which may or may not be a Super Sport (it wears SS badging, but the seller doesn’t make mention of it). Whatever the case, this once-nice Chevy had the misfortune of getting involved in a nasty accident which may leave it no better off than as a parts car. Located in Elizabeth, New Jersey, it’s being sold here on eBay with no reserve and 10 bids have raised the ante to $2,700.

A real-deal Chevelle Super Sport is hard to identify after 1968 as it was relegated to option status rather than a series of its own. Since the seller doesn’t try to capitalize on this car being an SS, we should assume that it’s not. Since the VIN does tell us it came equipped with a V8 engine, this car may have once had a 307 or 350 cubic-inch V8 under the hood. But that was apparently pulled after the accident, as was the transmission, which we’re told was an automatic. So, the Chevy isn’t even a roller due to the considerable damage it received.

No mention is made of the frame being bent, but it would be a miracle if it wasn’t. Getting this car going again would involve a lot more than a new front clip and replacement powertrain. The interior looks to have been in decent shape prior to the accident, but the steering column is now a mess. But it may be safe to say that anything from the front bench seat back can be reused on another Chevelle project.

Since the forlorn car here has seen some bidding activity, what do you suppose the bidders’ motivation is? Would you attempt to do anything besides harvest parts from this automobile? Although a private seller lists the car, it feels like a dealer sale which would explain the total lack of information about the wreck other than it having a posi-traction rear-end. Would your opinion change if this turned out to be a real Super Sport?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Chris Cornetto

    Cowl appears not mortality damaged. lack of seat belt use hurt the dash and a few other items…ouch. Bummer I have no need for another project as I have a convertible chassis with disc brakes from a 70 that never was finished that soon will go to the shred,” don’t need to leave buildings full of stuff my wife has no clue what they are”. I can envision that now, he must have the rest of the car here someplace lol. With a frame this is an easy fix
    The body looks to be rather decent.

    Like 2
  2. Doone

    Not an SS….no bucket seats.

    Like 3
    • Danny Thompson

      I had a friend from back in my college days that had an ss 396 that had bench seat and column shift automatic.

      Like 13
    • Nick P

      I’ve seen documented LS6 cars with bench seat and column shift

      Like 13
    • Norman K Wrensch

      I had a 69 SS396 with 4speed and bench seat, so being an SS does not mean bucket seats.

      Like 2
    • 19sixty5Member

      Bench seat was standard equipment in an SS, buckets were an option, RPO A51. Console was also an option, RPO D55.

      Like 0
  3. Wendell S

    The first picture shows the frame horn bent over, nothing money can’t fix…lol

    Like 5
    • Mark

      Based on the condition of the windshield on the left side being intact vs the right side blow and the damage to the dash more on that same side it would appear that the poor driver may have made a quick right. Hope no lives were lost. Even when I drive my 70 Buick I always buckle up. You never know.

      Like 3
  4. Dan H

    That’ll buff out.

    Like 2
  5. Chuck Simons

    The frame is bent, the firewall is bent, probably the floorpan as well…Just like Wendell says “Nothing that money can’t fix”

    Like 1
  6. peter palmeri

    def not an SS wouldn’t say malibu on 1/4″s dead give away none ever said that ! also the back tail piece between tail lights wouldn’t be body color always black .bench seat n column shift is ok

    Like 6
  7. TED

    This is originally a 307ci Malibu Convertible with Chevelle SS 396 badges. Strange, if your going to clone a SS 396, why would you leave the 307 Malibu badges and bench seat???😵‍💫

    Like 2
  8. Kenneth Gaby

    Its a parts car. Serious frame damage that likely shows from front to back. Would be surprised if there weren’t buckles in the sheet metal and panel alignment issues.

    Like 0
  9. Kenneth Gaby

    Its a parts car. Serious frame damage that likely shows from front to back. Would be surprised if there weren’t buckles in the sheet metal and panel alignment issues.

    Like 1
  10. DA

    The pictures are pretty poor, but what can be seen doesn’t look good. The damage, and without engine and transmission make it a parts car.

    Like 1
  11. JoeBob

    Parts car, but interesting that it has a 12 bolt with an interesting cover and what appears to be a driveshaft loop.

    Like 1
    • 19sixty5Member

      The rear cover is a cast aluminum part with adjustable bearing cap supports. The thick cast construction adds rigidity to the rear axle center section.

      Like 0
  12. BS

    No motor or tranny..lol
    Send it the the junkyard then! Bhole..

    Like 1
    • John

      Like pulling the plug on grandma. Nobody likes to do it. But yank it like starting the lawnmower. … Crusher bait.
      2500$ wouldn’t even lol at you 2500 times

      Like 0
  13. dogwater

    Clean title ? looks like a total

    Like 1
  14. Bama

    Nothing there a good body man and a frame machine can’t fix. Look at the stuff Mark Workman’s crew bring back to life. Enough money and time and it can be new again.

    Like 0
  15. Pete

    I see a door, trunk lid, Top assy, interior parts if they pop back straight. Maybe some parts underneath. It sold for over 3K.

    Like 0

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