Butternut Beauty: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 – SOLD!

May 20, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Once it’s own separate model line, for 1969 the SS396 became a $347.60 option on any two Chevelle/Malibu.  While the SS396 package came standard with a 325 horsepower version of the 396 cubic in big-block V8, complicating the issue was the optional availability of either 350- or 375 horsepower versions makes it tough to confirm whether a restored example is a real-deal car without excellent documentation.  The seller of this restored Butternut Yellow over black vinyl 1969 Chevelle SS396 originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Mitchell, South Dakota does not call out the specific motor their car is currently equipped with and the pictures of the engine bay do not provide any clues.  Beyond that easily-solved mystery, the seller reports their car is a “real SS 396 4 speed car from the factory” and honestly states, “although the car is not perfect it is a no excuse car.“

Currently offered for $11,900 or the best offer, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, reveals the ask is only slightly higher than this guide’s one-year average of $64,709 based on 44 sales ranging from $18,000 to $247,000.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $42,325 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $59,600.

Chevrolet launched the redesigned second-generation Chevelle/Malibu line for the 1968 model year.  One year later, Chevrolet marketers billed the 1969 Chevelles as “America’s most popular mid-size car.” They showed only minor changes for 1969, led by revised front-end styling. A single chrome bar connected quad headlights (which became a familiar Chevrolet trademark) with a revised front grille, now cast in ABS plastic, and a slotted bumper held the parking lights. Taillight lenses were larger and more vertical, flowing into the quarter panels. Smaller side marker lighting bezels were phased in (shared with the Camaro and using the lens assembly as the previous year). Front vent windows (hardtop and convertibles only) began to fade away now that Astro Ventilation (first introduced on the 1966 Buick Riviera which was used a year earlier on the Camaro and Caprice) was sending outside air into several Chevelle models. The Chevelle lineup slimmed down to Nomad, 300 Deluxe/Greenbrier, Malibu/Concours, and Concours Estate series, and the base 300 series was history. No longer a series of its own, the SS 396 turned into a $347.60 option package for any two-door model. That meant not just a convertible, sport coupe, or pickup, but even the pillared coupe and sport coupe in the 300 Deluxe series (except the base 300 Deluxe El Camino pickup). Fewer SS396-optioned 300 Deluxe coupes and sport coupes were built than their Malibu counterparts and they are solid gold for collectors. The Super Sport option included a 325-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V8 beneath a double-domed hood, along with a black-out grille displaying an SS emblem and a black rear panel. More potent editions of the 396 engine also made the options list, developing 350 or 375 horsepower (280 kW). SS396s produced from this point on shared the same VIN prefix with the Malibu sport coupe (136), with the exception of the 300 Deluxe based SS396s using (134), where the original buildsheet and/or Protect-O-Plate (which is an aluminum tag included with the original sales invoice from Chevrolet dealers) can ID a genuine SS (especially for a numbers-matching original which is unaltered); however, the VIN number alone cannot ID a genuine SS as in previous years.

New round instrument pods replaced the former linear layout. Chevelle options included headlight washers, power windows and locks, and a rear defroster. Chevy’s midsize production rose this year. About seven percent of all Malibus had a six-cylinder engine, while about 86,000 came with the SS 396 option. All 1969 Chevelles had a new locking steering column one year ahead of the Federal requirement, and headrests were required for all cars sold in the U.S. after January 1, 1969.

The Cars & Stripes YouTube Channel features this vintage Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 commercial:

The biggest decision you have to make about buying this 1954 Series 62 Cadillac convertible is whether you want to keep the vintage teardrop trailer offered for $12,500 with the car for an additional $12,500.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1969 Chevrolet Chevelle real SS 396 4 speed car from the factory in its original butternut yellow and black top. Factory power disc brakes and power steering. Approximately 6k since restoration which included NOS GM sheetmetal, not the Chinese stuff available today. Car was not a rust bucket like most, but still had the quarters replaced as a pair of GM quarters were found. Paint is base/clear on a straight rust free body. Engine is a 69 396 4 speed motor with a little over stock roller cam, but otherwise built to stock specks. 4 speed shifts nice with the Hurst shifter and the clutch is smooth. Car drives straight down the road and is a blast to drive. The Interior was redone with SS embroidered in the seats. Sony AM/FM radio that sound nice. Although the car is not perfect it is a no excuse car that will continue to exceed in value and is a good investment that you can have fun with. Car cover included also.”

Show or go: what would you do with this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS? Please comment below and let us know!