Vehicle 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 tribute
is 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. While we can't say
this is a real SS since 1969 cars are very hard to identify without
original documentation, it has been neatly restored to look right
and they were sweating the detail. Wearing bright red livery, which
gives it a bright disposition that we like a lot, it certainly has
the right performance attitude. Bright colors always work well on
these cars and with a black vinyl tape stripe slashing down the
side, there's no question that there's serious horsepower on tap.
Finish quality is quite good, with a nice 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 bright red 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
are important features when you're driving a SS396, and with Hurst
4-speed 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 were part of the SS
package and this car includes a full complement, including a
factory tach, along with some auxiliary gauges under the dash. The
only possible demerit is that the aftermarket Sony AM/FM/ CD stereo
isn't working, but we doubt you'll miss it. The trunk is tidy and
clean with a reproduction mat and a full-sized spare, just in
case.
The powerplant is a burly 396 cubic inch V8 that still delivers the
big hit of torque for which big block Chevys are famous. Dressed to
look fairly stock, it has chrome valve covers, an open-element air
cleaner with 396 decals to help the illusion, and Chevy Orange
paint on the block. A big 4-barrel carburetor on top of an aluminum
intake manifold, MSD ignition system, and long-tube headers with a
recent Flowmaster dual exhaust system gives the big engine plenty
of punch. The 4-speed manual transmission shrugs off the power
churning through it and you'll never get tired of slamming the
shifter through the gates with the engine at full song. The
underside is reasonably tidy, with floors that show some patches
that were done well, as well as a 10-bolt rear end, which appears
to be original to the car. New shocks were installed and handsome
Rally wheels look right and wear 235/60/15 front and 255/60/15 rear
BFGoodrich T/A radials.
Just a nice cruiser with a big block punch, this is an awesome
opportunity to pick up a very clean Chevelle with no surprises and
a reasonable price. Call today!