Celebrate Chevrolet’s wildly successful 1969 Chevelle SS 396 with this comprehensive publication that covers options for the engine, transmission, paint, aesthetics, and more!
Chevrolet’s marketing campaign for the '69 Chevelle changed the SS 396 to an option instead of its own series. For this year only, the SS 396 Equipment option was offered on four different bodystyles (coupe, sport coupe, convertible, and sedan pickup) and in two series (300 Deluxe and Malibu). The clean styling and extended production year saw sales at 86,307 units sold with the SS 396 Equipment option, the all-time high watermark.
The SS 396 equipment option offered three engine packages: those with 325, 350, and 375 hp--the latter being available with an aluminum-head option (L89). Two SS 396-specific paint colors (Daytona Yellow and Hugger Orange) were available at a $42.15 charge adding a splash of brightness to the color chart palette.The year 1969 was also the first time that an SS 396 Chevelle came with its own special wheels.
Contents: Chapter 1: Introducing the Chevelle Malibu SS: 1964–1965 SS 396: 1966–1968 SS Equipment Option: 1969 The Competition
Chapter 2: Design and Concept Astro Ventilation Hideaway Windshield Wipers El Camino SS 396 Clay and Prototype Mock-Ups Exterior SS 396 Identification SS 396 Equipment Option
Chapter 3: Marketing and Promotion The Muscle Car Era Advertising Dealership Trinkets Racing (or Lack Thereof) High-Performance Dealers and the COPO Chevelle Racing Heritage Paint End of the COPO Era Safety Features
Chapter 4: Hardware, Driveline, and Interior Options General Motors Production Numbers Plant Production Numbers Vehicle Identification Numbers Engine Codes Wheels and Tires Transmissions Rear-Axle Identification, Codes, and Ratios Interior Trim Codes Exterior Paint Codes Exterior/Interior Color Combinations Sport Striping Colors (RPO D96) Fisher Body Number Plates Warranty Card (Protect-O-Plate) Regular Production Options by Applicability Not-so-Common Options
Chapter 5: Lasting Legacy Chevelle Clubs and Shows Day 2 Chevelles The 1970s Slump Chris Toth: SS 396 Sam Griffith: L78 SS 396 Rick Nelson: 427 Yenko Roger Day (Original Owner): 427 COPO/Dick Harrell Chevelle Robert Killingsworth: L78 SS 396 Donnie Edmond: Big Bertha Bob Terry: 496-ci Big-Block Dustin Herbison: Oshawa SS 396 Looking to the Future
Appendix: Paint Charts, Options, VIN and Trim Tag Decoder, and Production Numbers Production Numbers by Series/Bodystyle Production Numbers by Plant Decode Your VIN Engine Suffix Codes Special Paint (RPO ZP3) Paint Codes and Sales Names Convertible/Vinyl Top Colors Options SS Emblems SS 396 Equipment–Option Tires Interior Quirks How Many?
Leading Chevelle specialists contributed data to this book, certifying that the information presented is accurate and ensuring that 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396: Muscle Cars In Detail No. 12 will be a valued resource guide for years to come.
