November 2009 Feature Car

[Chevy454]

<u>Grady Burch's 1969 COPO 427 Chevelle!</u>


In the early part of 1987 I started looking for a 1969 Chevelle SS396. I was looking to find one similar to what I had after I had graduated from high school in 1969. I happened to stop into an acquaintance store who sold Corvette parts and mentioned what I was looking for. As we talked he said he had a friend who had a 69 Chevelle but it was not a 396 it was a 427. He was not sure if the car was for sale but would contact the party and find out. I don't remember how long it was, maybe a day or two and he got back to me and confirmed that the car was for sale. At this point he told me what the asking price was, which for the time was pretty hefty, and asked if I was still interested. I did not hesitate and said yes I would like to see the car. at this point the contact info was given to me.

I called the party who owned the car and made arrangements to see it, turns out that the car was less than three miles from my home.

At some point before I went to look at the car I contacted a few people to help me identify what this car was. The parts I was told to check were carb, block, distributor, rearend, trans and more. In looking at the car everything checked out except the car had headers and an aftermarket distributor in it. The original distributor however was in a box and included with the car. Exhaust manifolds and smog system were missing though. The car at that time had 28,155 miles and the majority of the paint appeared to be original as well as the interior. The complete drivetrain also was what had been installed when the car was new.


After looking over everything and being satisfied with what I saw I then made an offer to purchase the car. The owner told me he would have to think about the offer and get back to me. I am not positive but I think he called me the very next day and accepted my offer. This took place On April 2, 1987.After purchasing the car I eventually replaced the headers with the correct exhaust manifolds and smog system, installed the original distributor, and removed the radial tires that were on the car. Other than that the car is today pretty much as it was when I got it in 1987.

I took the car to Super Chevy a few times in the late 80's and early 90's and also a couple of Chevelle shows. After that I just parked it and did not do much with the car until the summer of 2007. I am now finally starting to enjoy it.

Grady