1969 300 Deluxe Hardtop

[combinefixer]

chevelleheart,

Did you add the passenger side mirror or was it optioned that way? Also, no antenna? No radio?

Black with the white accent stripe really pops!

[Too Many Projects]

Over the years, it seems many of the post cars I have seen came with the L78 engines, probably for racing. They were a few hundred pounds less in weight with less body twist when launched.
Friend of mine from school bought a Silver 300 coupe with L78/TH400 right after graduation. I don't recall if it had 3.73 or 4.10 gears.

He installed one of the first shift kits to come out and they had steel detent balls, which hammered the valve body out in short order. He swapped the kit back out and took it to the dealer. GM replaced the trans, but said they would not warranty it again.

[mockingbird812]

Originally Posted by combinefixer

The 300 deluxe was its own separate series from the Malibu line. The 752 black bench seat interior had several variances. The main ones being the rubber floor mat, door panels and upholstery pattern.

300 hardtops still had the astro ventilation system.

Indeed! FWIW, some other (minor) differences included the 300 SS’s non-hidden windshield wipers and the center sun visor pivot points were not included (boy, that must have saved them a bunch of $$!! ). Also, not confirmed but, I believe that the 300 SS’s may not have had the trunk mat - anyone confirm this?

I believe that a lot of hardtop 300 SS’s went unnoticed because to the uninitiated they looked like a Malibu SS on the exterior. L78 engines were blown as these cars were known to be good for racing and documents like BS’s were rare in ‘69 to ID these cars for what they were.

I disagree that these cars were “a few hundred pounds” lighter. I think they were nominally lighter (IMO less than 100 lbs). The post cars would have less twist, but of course not true for the hardtops.

BTW, love, love, LOVE these rare sleepers!

[Woj]

Sam,

Grady and I have discussed the trunk mat issue with the 300s and I don't think we came to any solid conclusion. We thought maybe the SSs might have had them regardless since they came with most standard features. Maybe Dan knows. The 3 300s (non SSs) I have/had no trunk mats or remnants of trunk mats, but, that may have just been a coincidence?

It would be nice to know.

[Keith Tedford]

The 300 Deluxe SS396 got the SS emblem in the steering wheel and in the trim above the glove box door. The rest of the interior was regular 300 Deluxe including the base rubber floor mat. The exterior was all SS396 trim.

[L78M22Rag]

My 300 Deluxe Post Sedan SS still has it’s original trunk mat. It wasn’t listed on any of the documents that I can see?

[mockingbird812]

Cool data point. Nice docs. Tuff looking car. Did this have a 427 transplant? Cool that you have a build sheet. This must have been an Atlanta built car and I believe pretty rare to be found in ‘69. Thanks!!

[chevyman0429]

I own a 300 hardtop that I bought thinking it was just a SS chevelle but soon got schooled from Mr Vasic about what it really was!

Late 70’s early 80’s race car. That’s been stashed in the back corner of my shop for over 20 years. I’ll get to it sooner or later.

[napa68]

Great thread!

[Postsedan]

Originally Posted by combinefixer

They might have built less post cars back in the day, but the hardtop 300Â’s seem harder to find today.

The reason they are harder to find is because they are camouflaged by the owners that have no clue as to what they have....these owners need to be educated. Once they obtain these cars, (besides the engine)..... the first to go in these cars was then interiors and once they realize that there is no aftermarket interior parts available for these 300 Models.... they would simply order the Malibu Interior or worse upgrade to Bucket Seats (such a Sin)

You can spot one or two hardtops camouflaged on eBay on any given time. They are out there.... you just need to know what to
Look for

The 1969 300 Deluxe Post Sedan or Hardtop model is among my all time favorite Muscle Car of all....when you add the SS396 option they become iconic

Dan