Vehicle Description
While this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 has yet to see the inside
of a restoration shop, it remains in very solid condition, and it
would almost be a disservice to call it a "survivor" as it hasn't
merely survived, it's thrived. As a genuine top tier Chevelle - no
rebadging sleight of hand involved here - you can only imagine the
looks it drew as it first hit the asphalt with its
aggressively-colored exterior and big block power under the hood,
and nearly a half century later, its magnetism is still
undeniable.
The black shade this SS wears is not just the same color it left
the factory with, but literally the same paint. It's seen some
slight touching up here and there and while you can see a few
slight signs of aging - a little fading on the headlight buckets
and a grille that might not quite sport the deep black color it
once did, for example - the years have been unusually kind to this
classic Chevy. Make no mistake - it cuts quite an impressive
appearance just as it is, although a freshening up of its paint and
some attention to its array of trim and chrome exterior fittings
would take things up a few notches. Should you decide to embark on
that course, you'll be starting with a very solid foundation. This
Chevelle is one of a select group of cars from its era still
sporting its original sheet metal and, even upon close inspection,
you won't find any serious issues that would complicate the
restoration process.
The vinyl upholstery inside the doors is also original and as such
you can see a reasonable amount of wear on the bucket seats in
front and markedly less so on the bench seat in back, though both
appear structurally sound. Even though the 80,000 miles this
vintage Chevy has travelled constitutes unusually light usage for a
car of this age, it's not uncommon to find the stresses of real
world use, but it is evident time has been kind to this one. The
black carpeting lining the floor is looking solid, as is the snugly
fitted headliner looming above. A trio of aftermarket gauges join
their factory counterparts on the dash and while some of the dash
trim could stand to be spruced up a little, there's still plenty to
like here and the dash pad running across the top is in good
condition, as is the center console housing the signature Chevy
"staple" shifter and all air conditioning components are in
place.
There's big block power residing under the hood that's ready to hit
the pavement just soon as you get this car home. The non-numbers
matching 396 V8 is a 1965 block and carries the heads and crank
from the original engine. With about 20,000 miles on the engine
build, it sounds great and pulls strong with the assistance of a
4-barrel carb, Edelbrock intake, Mallory distributor, and a Crane
cam. The engine teams with a 3-speed automatic TH400 transmission
that's shifting with slip-free precision and options like power
steering and power front disc brakes provide low-effort navigation
and dependable stops as this sharp looking Chevelle cruises on its
set of 15" factory Super Sport wheels outfitted with Futura Super
Sport GLS tires. As you might expect from such a sturdy street
machine, a look underneath reveals a solid undercarriage, with some
patina acquired from decades of service but all components looking
straight and strong.
Whether the aim is to get behind the wheel and enjoy its automotive
magic just as it is, or to restore it to a whole new level of
vintage cool, this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 definite must see.
Call today!