1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

Description

One of the great things about the muscle car era is that there's almost an infinite variety of cars, colors, options, and styles. Now, for purists, that can be a nightmare, but if you're looking for a clean big block Chevelle that drives well, looks great, and has a reasonable price, this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 has a few invisible upgrades that make it a truly entertaining ride.

There were about a half-dozen different engines, two dozen colors, and a wide variety of interiors available in the Chevelle, ensuring that you could get one any way you wanted it. But the one thing that doesn't change is that the A-body makes for a ferocious street car when you stuff a big block under the hood. This appears to be a real SS 396 (all the physical evidence is there, but alas, no elusive build sheet to fully confirm) car and it has been neatly restored in pretty Butternut Yellow livery, which gives it a bright disposition that we like a lot. Bright colors always work well on these cars, giving them a grown-up look that isn't too extroverted, and with a black vinyl tape stripe slashing down the side, there's still no question that there's serious horsepower on tap. Finish quality is quite good, with a deep shine on the paint and no real deviations from stock, including a factory hood and correct 'SS 396' emblems as needed. The chrome bumpers have a nice shine and the stainless wheel well moldings provide a nice contrast against the soft yellow paint. And that black vinyl top works beautifully to ensure that this pastel Chevelle isn't too soft-looking.

Chevelle interiors are always well-dressed, and the fellows who restored this car did a fine job putting it together. Bucket seats and a console are important features when you're driving a SS396, and with that cool horseshoe shifter in the center, it definitely has a hi-performance vibe. The seat covers are in excellent condition, the carpets were replaced when the car was restored, and the door panels are nicely detailed with correct emblems. Round gauges are part of the SS package and this car includes a full complement, including a factory tach. The only possible demerit is some minor wrinkling of the headliner in the tricky quarter panel area, but if that's all you have to worry about, you've got an excellent car. A modern AM/FM/cassette stereo slots neatly into the dash and has a vintage look augmented by a faux dial that looks like an old AM unit. Neat! The trunk is tidy and clean with a reproduction mat and there's full-sized spare, just in case.

The powerplant is a 1972 vintage 396 (actually a 402 if you're really counting) that still delivers the big hit of torque for which big block Chevys are famous. Dressed to look fairly stock, it has traditional chrome valve covers, an open-element air cleaner with 396 decals to keep a low profile, and Chevy Orange paint on the block. A big Rochester carburetor on top of a Weiand intake manifold, HEI ignition system, and long-tube headers with a fresh Flowmaster dual exhaust system gives the big engine plenty of punch. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission shrugs off the power churning through it and is always happy to drop down a gear when you need it. The underside is quite neat, with floors that are the perfect background for the new exhaust system and the heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end, which appears to be original to the car. Handsome SS wheels look right and wear 205/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown redline radials all around.

Just a nice cruiser with a big block punch, this is an awesome opportunity to pick up a very clean SS with no stories and a reasonable price. Call today!