Sold 69 Chevelle SS396 Convertible

[Bill Pritchard]

1969 Chevelle SS396 convertible, 25K original miles, unrestored, a true three-owner car (I bought it in July 2002) whose complete history is known. Tuxedo black with black bucket seat & console interior, white convertible top, and white D96 sport striping. 80% original paint, 100% original interior, original top (power operated) w/ original glass rear window. L35 325hp 396 engine, Turbo Hydramatic 3 speed automatic transmission, 3.07 non-posi rear axle. 2 Body Broadcast sheets and original ProtectoPlate warranty card with original selling dealer imprint. Photos of original owner with the car shortly after original purchase, and just prior to the sale to the second owner in 1978. Only normal wear items have been replaced; absolutely everything else on the car is the same as it came from the Kansas City, MO assembly plant in January of 1969. Unlike most L35 1969 Chevelles in existence today, this car still retains its original closed element air cleaner assembly, complete with the nearly impossible-to-find heat stove that surrounds the exhaust manifold and flexible ducting that connects the heat stove to the air cleaner snorkel. The in-line canister type fuel filter that is on the car is the same one as when it was brand new; it has never needed to be replaced. One of the original Uniroyal Tiger Paw F70-14 white stripe tires remains in the immaculate trunk compartment as the spare tire, mounted on its original, non-repainted ‘SS’ wheel. Car was undercoated by the second owner.

Other items of interest:

Photos taken in fall of 1978, just prior to sale to second owner, show very slight rust at bottoms of front fenders. Second owner had this repaired with filler and repainted soon after his purchase. Upon close scrutiny, these areas can be seen, but have not changed at all visually in the 19 years I have owned the car.

Drivers side rear quarter was key-scratched above the stripe when the car was still fairly new. That was repaired at the time, but after 50 years, the paint has shrunk enough that you can see evidence of the scratch in the right light and at a certain viewing angle.

Second owner’s kids spilled something on a corner of the trunk lid, which required that to be partially repainted. Again, with the right lighting and at a certain viewing angle, you can see where it was blended in.

Body Broadcast sheet found attached to inside of passenger side front fender has the letters ‘SS’ hand written on it in red grease pencil, which is a common find on Kansas City built 69 Chevelle SS396 cars.

Original foam rubber backed trunk mat is present and in very good condition.

All flexible brake lines were replaced a few years ago, along with one of the rear axle metal brake lines (fitting twisted off when removed from brass tee block). Complete evacuation of old brake fluid and refreshed with new. All original parts removed were kept.

All four original, non-leaking, dated spiral shocks were removed and stored away by me in 2002; replaced with black painted gas shocks for improved driveability.

Original pebble-grained rim steering wheel is in excellent condition. It was removed and stored away for safekeeping, replaced with a repro black steering wheel.

Mufflers and tail pipes were replaced by second owner; exhaust pipes from manifolds to mufflers are still the factory installed items.

All brake shoes, pads, drums, & rotors are still the factory installed items.

All removed original parts as detailed above will go with the car if the new owner so desires. I also have a second complete interior (bucket seats, rear seat, door panels, windlace, rear interior trim panels, and top boot) upholstered in reproduction Parchment upholstery that will go with the car if the new owner so desires.

A Microsoft Word document listing component part numbers, date codes, etc. as well as a Trim Tag breakdown is available to prospective buyers. Also available is an Excel spread sheet which breaks down all the items listed on the two Body Broadcast sheets.

If you are looking for an absolutely perfect, over-restored showpiece that wins trophies at every show entered, you really should look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a largely un-fluffed, well maintained vehicle that looks, runs, and drives like a 25,000 mile car should, then this is for you.

This vehicle is being offered for sale for $60,000 USD, and is located in suburban Phoenix AZ. Please contact Bill via PM, at [email protected], or call 520.391.0110.

Pictures were taken in 2002, shortly after I bought the car, but it looks no different today.