Shiny and quick: 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 convertible fresh from restoration

After Chevelle first rolled out in 1964 as Chevrolet’s intermediate model, it became available in a wide variety of derivations, ranging from 6-cylinder grocery getters to the highest level of muscle-car performance

The Pick of the Day is one of those top-tier muscle cars, a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 convertible with just 130 miles on a comprehensive rotisserie restoration, which  has brought it up to better-then-new condition, according to the Volo, Illinois, dealer advertising the Chevy in ClassicCars.com.

The Chevelle is a genuine SS 396, the dealer says, although with a “period-correct” 396 V8 and factory aluminum intake.  With a few modern upgrades to boost performance, handling and reliability, the car could be considered a resto-mod that is perhaps more resto than mod.

What the dealer does not mention in the ad is that the car apparently has been endowed with the most-powerful of the big-block 396 engines, the solid-lifter L-78 that churns out 375 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.   The major clue is that the shiny air cleaner says “Turbo-Jet 375 hp.” 

The dealer notes that the V8 has been tweaked with a dual-feed Holley carb, HEI ignition, coated headers and dual Flowmaster exhaust.  The beefy mill is linked with a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission and a correct 12-bolt rear with 3.31 positraction gears.

From the gallery of photos that accompany the ad, and the dealer’s description, this Chevelle absolutely glistens from top to bottom, inside and out, with every part and component renewed and refinished. 

For instance, the ad says, “The bottom of this car is new: all the finishes, every last bushing, clip and clamp.”

Every bit of this car is done, the dealer says, including the wiring, suspension and tires. The interior is all new, the dealer notes, including the seats, door panels, dashboard and gauges, rugs and rosewood steering wheel. 

The original color Garnet Red paint has been “polished like glass,” the dealer says, with new everything, including the SS decal stripes, bumpers, taillights, handles, emblems, weatherstrips, sill plates and the white convertible power top with a glass rear window.

The Chevelle is quite a showpiece, and it should go like hell.  Not too shabby for the asking price of $66,998 for what’s essentially a fresh and highly desirable muscle car.

 To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.