1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Clone

Description

You really can't go wrong with a big block Chevelle, and this 1969 SS396 tribute gets the important parts right. Flashy paint, a thundering big block V8, and an interior that's ready for a road trip all make this car a perennial favorite among muscle car enthusiasts.

It's a neat take on Marina Blue, but the vivid electric hue on this slick hardtop is deeper and more vivid at the same time. Bright white stripes identify it as an SS, of course, but they also add contrast that makes the blue paint look extra deep. This is the kind of car that gets appreciative glances at the local cruise nights and when it's in your driveway, all your neighbors will wish they had held on to the one they owned years ago. It has rather nice fit and finish overall, even though it was finished a few years ago and driven a bit since then, but there's definitely nothing to be ashamed of here. Nice chrome bumpers, excellent glass, and lots of new rubber weather-stripping give it a nicely finished look and feel, while proper SS badges mean you'll have to check the paperwork to prove it's not legit.

The gleaming white interior looks flat-out awesome. It appears that the seat covers, carpets, and door panels were recently replaced and it's so white and clean that you'll want to be sure you brush yourself off before climbing in. Buckets and a console are the archetypal SS look, especially with the horseshoe shifter for the TH400 3-speed automatic. A billet steering wheel adds a custom look at a glance, and once you're behind the wheel you'll also discover a column-mounted Auto Gauge tach to augment the original gauges. Three auxiliary gauges under the dash fill in gaps where the factory didn't quite come through and there's a digital AM/FM stereo in the dash, replacing the original AM unit and powering a set of 6x9 speakers on the rear deck. The trunk is also in good order with correct-looking spatter finish paint and crisply rendered details on the trunk floor.

With 396 cubic inches under the hood, this Chevelle doesn't have much to fear on the street. However, upgrades like a .550 lift cam, MSD ignition, Edelbrock intake manifold, and a Holley 4-barrel carburetor certainly don't hurt. It snarls and cackles the way the best cars do, hinting at the performance that awaits, yet it's a rock-solid reliable combination that was perfected decades ago. It also looks great with Chevy Orange paint on the block, chrome big block valve covers, and an open-element air cleaner that helps build horsepower as well. Long-tube headers feed a new Flowmaster dual exhaust system for a brilliant sound, particularly at idle where it sounds especially potent. The aforementioned TH400 3-speed automatic is pretty much bulletproof behind a big block and the 12-bolt rear is full of acceleration-happy 3.73 gears on a Posi limited slip. The undercarriage looks to be fairly original, so it isn't shiny and perfect, but it also means that you don't have to think twice about heading out on the road, regardless of the weather. 15-inch SS wheels look great on the Chevelle, especially with fat 235/60/15 BFGoodricth radials wrapped around them.

This is an easy car to love, with a classic combination that won't break the bank. It's also a blast to drive, as you'd expect from anything with a big block. Call today!