1969 CHEVELLE SS 396

OWNERS NAME: MANNY & MILLIE GARCIA

YEAR: 1969

MAKE: CHEVROLET

MODEL: CHEVELLE

SUB MODEL: SS 396

BRIEF MANUFACTURER DETAILS AND SIGNIFICANT HISTORY OF CAR:

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile that was produced by Chevrolet in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Part of the General Motors (GM) A-body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet’s most successful nameplates. Body styles included coupes, sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. The “Super Sport” versions were produced through the 1973 model year and Lagunas from 1973 through to 1976. The Malibu was the top-of-the-line model through 1972 ,and completely replaced the Chevelle nameplate starting with the redesigned, and downsized 1978 model year.

The 1969 model year Chevelle was marketed as “America’s most popular mid-size car.” They had 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.

No longer a series of its own, the SS 396 became 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. The Super Sport option included a 325-horsepower 396-cubic-inch V8 beneath a double-domed hood, a black-out grille displaying an SS emblem, and a black rear panel. More potent editions of the 396 engines 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), except for the 300 Deluxe-based SS396s using (134), where the original build sheet or Protect-O-Plate (aluminum tag included with the original sales invoice from Chevrolet dealers) can ID a genuine SS 

BRIEF STORY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE:

This car was restored and owned by country singer Randy Travis. The car was acquired in Nashville Tennessee, then taken to Georgia for the Hamby’s Automotive Inc in Cumming GA. It was later acquired by Manny & Millie Garcia at the Lake Mirror Classic auto fair in 2011. 

Here are some specs for the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396: 

  • Engine: 396 cubic inch V8 with a 1x4bbl fuel system, 11.0:1 compression ratio, and 375 horsepower at 5600 rpm
  • Transmission:
    • Muncie four-speed manual 
  • Differential: 3.55:1-ratio 12-bolt 
  • Brakes: Power disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear 
  • Wheelbase: 112 inches 
  • Weight: 3,700 lbs 
  • Performance:
    •  0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds
    • The quarter mile time – 14.5 seconds at 101 mph 

The 1969 Chevelle SS also came with:

  • Superlift air shock absorbers 
  • Strato-ease headrests 
  • Full instrumentation 
  • RPO Z25 Super Sport package, which included a domed hood, power front disc brakes, and specific emblems on the grille, front fenders, and taillamp panel 
  • F41 heavy-duty suspension with firm springs, a large stabilizer bar, and firm shocks in the front, and a four-link coil spring rear configuration with firm shocks