Was it just the SS that got 396īs? Or could you get a regular Malibu with 396?

Marcus

Only Super Sports had 396s. No malibu or regular Chevelle had big blocks out of the factory.

Not true, COPO's came with a 427 (Yenkos). With a COPO you could order any factory engine.

COPO 396s were also installed in police 4 doors with a 2 bbl.

I am aware you could get 427s but it was not worth mentioning since that was not his question.

Actually you could get a 396 in a Malibu in 1969. It does need some clarification. In previous years 66-68) the SS396 option was its own separate model. In 69 Chevy changed it to an option and at that point even though the the model was still a Malibu it now could be ordered with the 396 package and it then became a Malibu with the supersprt option. Also as stated above the COPO cars were also built.
So while no non-SS Malibu 2 doors got a 396, you can't really say Malibus as a model did not get 396's in 69. Clear as mud marcus? :D

http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html
http://cdnclassics.chevelles.net/amemodel.htm#69