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My fascination with the muscle car started in the late 1960's. It first began when my dad purchased a new Gold 1966 425 c.i. Oldsmobile Tornado. A few years later, my oldest brother drove home in a 1969 Blue 383 c.i. Dodge Charger R/T. Later that same year, I spotted a shinny new '69 SS 396 L-78 Chevelle (with a black vinyl top) parked in our high school parking lot. From that point, I always dreamed about owning a Super Sport one day!
Almost 30 years later, my longtime dream finally became reality. After looking at many disappointing Chevelle's, I finally found a '69 SS with great promise located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
[The SS option in '69 was the "Z25" SS-396 package (only $347.50 option). The '69 and up cars are harder to authenticate because the VIN # can not be used to confirm if the car is an SS. There were two (2) colors that were exclusive to the '69 SS option package, "Monaco Orange" (paint code #72) and "Daytona Yellow" (paint code #76). If either of these paint codes appear on the cowl tag then that would prove the car to be a genuine "SS" Super Sport]
I am the 3rd owner of this "Monaco Orange" (paint code #72) L-34 Chevelle. My car features a show quality exterior, which is accented by a black vinyl top and matching black 1969 correct pinstripe (under the clear coat). The interior has been restored to original factory condition and features black bucket seats, factory gauge (tachometer) instrumentation, 3-spoke steering wheel, '69 AM radio (with front and rear speakers), air conditioning and RARE power windows.
This true SS car has been frame-off restored to almost stock condition and has never been driven in the rain! It is equipped with a date coded 396/350 HP L-34 engine bored .030 inch over with a balanced 280 Comp CAM, Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap Intake, Edelbrock 750 cfm carburetor with an electric choke, HEI distributor and MSD 6A Ignition Control.
Behind this 396 "big block' is as follows;
- " TCI 2400 Stall Torque Converter,
- " Turbo Hydromatic 400 transmission with a shift improvement kit,
- " 12 bolt rear-end with an Auburn (posi-unit) limited slip differential,
- " New Moser axles,
- " Richmond 3:55 gears,
- " 50 Series 3-chamber Flowmaster exhaust system with OEM tips,
- " Power front disc brakes and;
- " Power steering.
I thoroughly enjoy working on my Chevelle and look forward to the next time I can take it for a long drive!Special thanks to my friend, Jeff Dover, www.chevelles.com/feature/november99.html for all of his help with my Chevelle!
Jim Hudgins
69 SS 396 L-34
(Georgia)
Proud Member of,
Team Chevelle #735, A.C.E.S #4012 and; Peach State Chevelles
Web Site: www.peachstatechevelles.com/hudgins.htmlPhoto Backgrounds of Jim's 69 are available here.
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