Featured is a beautiful 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS. The Chevelle model first came out in 1964 as a mid-sized car. The Chevy Chevelle was a success for General Motors and had a run that extended through the 1970’s. It’s interesting to note that the Chevelle was everything from an economical family car to a sporty convertible with powerful engine options.
General Motors, prior to 1970, had a corporate restriction on the size of engines that could be place in it’s mid-sized vehicles. The maximum displacement was 400 cubic inches.
Dealers however could special order (for “racing purposes”) a mid-sized with displacement over 400. This was during the 1968 and 1969 model years. This was called a control office production order. Starting in 1970 the displacement rule was discontinued. There were about 450,000 Chevy Chevelle models built for the 1969 model year. Out of this large number only 323 cars with a 427 V-8 were produced. These 323 were COPO ordered. As a side note regarding rare Chevelles’, the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 is the rarest with only twenty model produced. Not a lot of people were aware at the time of the COPO arrangement. The COPO Camaros, Chevelles, and Novas of the 1960s and early 1970s were GM’s ultimate high performance muscle cars.
Aside from the GM mid-size model engine displacement dictate, Chevrolet did manufacture powerful engines years earlier as the Chevrolet Impala SS came out in 1961 with it’s 409.
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Styling and Mechanics
There were several restylings and engine options for the Chevy Chevelle during it’s production run.
The Chevrolet Chevelle was redesigned for the 1968 model year. . The rear of the vehicle was shorter and the hood was longer. This gave the Chevelle a fastback appearance. Along with this, the wheelbase was shortened by three inches. Because of the recent 1968 redesign there were very few changes for 1969.
Chevrolet’s SS models represented their entry into the muscle car wars. The SS models had their own selection of powerful engines. The SS 396 cubic inch engine was an option for the 69 models and ended up a 402 before the model year was up. There was also a limited number of 427’s offered during the 1969 production run. What this represented was Chevy’s desire to better compete in the red hot muscle car market of the late 1960’s.
The 1969 model year was the heyday of the muscle car era and the Chevrolet 396’s sold a record 86,307 units.
1969 Chevy Chevelle SS Specifications
Available for the 1969 Chevelle were a 230 and 250 cubic inch six cylinder engines.Horsepower was 140 and 150. There was a 307 cubic inch V-8 that delivered 200 HP. Also, was a 350 that put out 255 and 300 HP depending on the configuration.
The SS 396 was made an option in 1969 for the price of an extra $348. As mentioned above, the Chevelle 396’s had a record year of sales.
Severall transmissions were available for 1969. These included a three and four speed manual and a three speed automatic. The four speed manual and three speed automatic were optional.
Dimensions included a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 196.9 inch overall length, 76.0 inch width.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
Reference material used for this article included…The Complete Book of Classic Chevrolet Muscle Cars: 1955-1974 by Mike Mueller…COPO Camaro, Chevelle & Nova: Chevrolet’s Ultimate Muscle Cars by Matt Avery.
The 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS Collector Car Popularity
The Chevrolet Chevelle’s were some of the most popular muscle cars during the late 1960’s. They are popular among collectors.
The 1972 model year was the last of the great Chevelle muscle cars. Federal environment and safety regulations threw a wet towel on what had been a muscle car war that produced ever greater horsepower. This is one of the reasons that cars such as as the 69 Chevy Chevelle and others from the late 1960’s are so popular today. They represent a very distinct era in automobile history.
As of this date, the 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS with an original 396 V-8 are listed with asking prices between $50,000 and $90,000. Some models with customization such as with the engine are priced below that range. To determine if you’re seeing an actual Super Sport model just check the Vehicle Identification Number located on a plate in the driver-side door jamb. Look for code 72 or 73 since these were the only 1969 colors used with the 69 SS models. One last detail for 69 SS models is that the grille should be painted black.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)