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 1969 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.
TABLE OF 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?
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