I'm planning on going to look at the following car, which the owner has told me is a 69 SS. He said it has a 396 Motor NOM (Not Matching Numbers), Glacier Blue w/Black Vinyl Top, Automatic on Console, A/C (not working), Bucket Seats, 12 Bolt Posi, 3:73 Gears, Power Steering, Power Disc Brakes, Original AM Radio.

It looks like it might be an SS, but what's the best way to tell? Asking price is $23,900.00. Sounds high but the car looks like its in good shape from the pictures I've seen (haven't seen the underside, but he said it looked as if the previous owner had it frame-off restored - we'll see.....)

I've read Dan Carr's advice on this topic, on this web site - sounds like its pretty easy to create an excellent SS clone (which is fine w/me as long as it isn't advertised as an SS) and get a lot more $$ than it should. Is the diff in single vs quad brake pistons one surefire way to tell?

Any advice or tips on what would give it away as a nice Malibu or that it is a true SS would be appreciated.

PCinCT

Peter, here's a couple of resources for information.

http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181589

This may or may not be of concern to you, but a 3.73 rear with an automatic and A/C is probably not the best combination to have. Just an opinion.

Hope this helps a bit, good luck.

I'm sure Don's info will cover what you need, but my personal advice is to do your homework. When you go to see the car check the VIN and cowl tags very carefully for any alterations such as odd looking rivets or differing information amongst the two plates. This is just basic Chevelle 101 stuff but it definitely where you need to start when buying any Chevelle. Good luck.

there are only two paint codes for a 69 SS
#72 monaco/hugger orange
#76 daytona yellow
Only available with SS option except on special order. When special ordered on a NON-SS optioned car, the paint code would show - - (two dash characters) or the OEM paint supplier's mixing code will be shown. Some documentation calls the color Hugger Orange while others call it Monaco Orange. The PPG color chip chart lists it as Hugger Orange and the Corvette as Monaco Orange but they are the same paint code.
hope this helps

Peter ,
Documents are what you need.... does the guy have any paperwork for the car?
Where in Ct are you located?

Sebjr

I like the pic of your 69ss. Is that the factory color ?

Sebjr

I like the pic of your 69ss. Is that the factory color ?

:yes:... Cortez Silver.... but the Black Vinyl top with black interior is what makes it :cool:

Seb - I'm in Old Lyme, CT

The car is up in MA (about an hour's drive, I think).

Yeah, as advised by "davis95", I'll get whatever paperwork he has on it (he said it was from NY state originally), and obvioulsy when I look at it, take pictures and write down the the VIN and cowl tag info - then I hope you guys can help me out.

Is the diff in single vs quad brake pistons one surefire way to tell?


First, Disc brakes were an option on non-SS Chevelles. Secondly, discs are a very popular addition, especially if someone has rebuild the chassis ("possible frame off")... Either for a nice driver, or because real SS cars had them (correct clone)...

4-piston discs were 1967/1968.

1969 Chevelles came with single piston discs... Not sure if early 69's had 4-piston or if late 68 went to single piston.

Personally, I'd check for remnants of Malibu trim and emblems (bondo or welded holes, etc on the backside of the panels)... If the cars been "restored", probably no other real good way to know what's original...

What assembly plant was it built at? Probably Baltimore because of the geographic location.

there are only two paint codes for a 69 SS
#72 monaco/hugger orange
#76 daytona yellow
Only available with SS option except on special order. When special ordered on a NON-SS optioned car, the paint code would show - - (two dash characters) or the OEM paint supplier's mixing code will be shown. Some documentation calls the color Hugger Orange while others call it Monaco Orange. The PPG color chip chart lists it as Hugger Orange and the Corvette as Monaco Orange but they are the same paint code.
hope this helps



So if any car is a 69 true SS, it must be one of these two colors or have the marks infront of the paint code.... ?

I see many SS cars with diffrent collors then those two.

The seller of this 69 Chevelle gave me the VIN, for what its worth:
136379K411571

K = Kansas City correct?, so it wasn;t built in Baltimore.

Unfortunately, he has no build sheet for the car.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow.

If I can figure out how to post pix to this site, I will do so (sorry I am new here and I don't have a website from which to upload pix to this site - maybe I can email pix to a member and have them post for me?).

Any advice would be appreciated,

Peter

You can open a free account at www.photobucket.com an upload them there easily once you have them downloaded from your camera to your computer:

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r167/jwamod/TC%20stuff/PhotoHow-to.jpg

So if any car is a 69 true SS, it must be one of these two colors or have the marks infront of the paint code.... ?

I see many SS cars with diffrent collors then those two.
Wrong! SS cars came in all colors, but "72" and "76" ONLY came on the SS cars.
Confused yet?
Ron

Actually, if its a nice car the price doesnt sound out of line, NOM or not.
Ron

I understand fully.

MiddleTown Chevelle made it sound like "if its not one of these two colors it can't be an SS"


It all sounds good now.

Peter, if you get the pictures and are having trouble with photobucket let me know and you can email them to me and I can post them no problem. I hope the car works out for you!

Thanks for your offer of help Amanda - I may take you up on it, although I will try photobucket first.

Unfortunately pictures of this car won't be available from me for a few days, since the weather is lousy here today in the Northeast, so I am not going to go look at the car today (its not worth driving 1-2 hours to just look at it parked in a garage - I need to drive it too!).

Peter

Peter,
Note that only 69SS came with the chrome trim around the front park/turn signal lights, chrome trim around a black housing. (easily purchased now).

It should also have a 3/8 fuel line a rag joint and one piece shaft

It should also have a 3/8 fuel line a rag joint and one piece shaftI dont understand this comment, they ALL have a rag joint, but the big block cars got the bolt on flange on the rag joint.
Ron

look for the following items.
1. correct front grille, fenders, parking lights and hood.

2. power front disk brakes

3. bolted rag joint

4. placement of ss and 396 emblems

5. check paint code for the yellow or orange( ss only)

6. if the sheet metal appears to be original check for the screw holes for the wheel opening trim

7. if factory tach look for proper redline.

8. look for 3/8" fuel line

9. if automatic look for switch over the gas pedal for kickdown for t-400 trans

10. look for all interior ss trim.

11. 12 bolt rear with support braces.

12. look for original glove box sticker for the tire size decal.

13. if the rear quarters look to have never been replaced look for where the malibu emblems would have had to have the holes filled.

14. pull the door opening vents and shine a flashlight down on the rocker panel. if the car originally had the rocker trim you should be able to see the holes.

while there is no concrete evidence with out paperwork, you can be reasonably certain that the car was on original ss. good luck mike
__________________
Chevelle

Send the pics to me. I'll post them for you if you want.

uussls1@yahoo.com

Peter,
Note that only 69SS came with the chrome trim around the front park/turn signal lights, chrome trim around a black housing. (easily purchased now).

It's not chrome.
It's stainless.

The housing is not black.
The outer portion of the lense that is outside of the stainless molding is painted black.

Thanks Mike for all of the pointers. This is very helpful.

Questions:
What was the size of the fuel line on the malibu? (if SS is 3/8, malibu is.....)

Can you post a picture of what a 69 SS tach looks like? (since you mentioned a "proper red line" if factory tach)

Thanks,

Peter

peter, to the best of my knowledge ss cars with 325-350 hp had 3/8" fuel lines with a small (1/4"?) vapor return. 375 hp cars had a single 3/8". higher hp malibus i believe had a 3/8" with small return. low performance i believe had a 5/16's line. the tachs were located to the right of the steering wheel in the dash. 5K redline were for small blocks. 5500 were for 325-350 hp cars. 6K were for 375 hp. some clain that 6.5 redline for 375 also but i've never seem one documented. you can check on ground ups website for pictures of the tachs. mike

The non-SS's with 350 4 bbl (255 and 300 hp) had a 3/8" fuel line. I believe some had the return line and some did not. I don't know the reasoning for why some had the return.

Not to sound pessamistic, but why be concerned if it was an original SS if it no longer retains the original drive train?

If it no longer is what it was, why does it matter what it was, only what it now is. :)

You can also be 99.9% certain of SS origin on 69 Kansas built SS's if there is an "L" by itself, under the paint code on the right side of the Cowl tag.

If the tag shows signs of age and appears original, and the "L" is present, it's the next best thing to either a build sheet, matching numbers big Block, or Orange/Yellow paint codes.

Again though........ other than retaining the ability to clone bash, not of much signifigance documenting origin after the original drive train is gone.

I don't know why you guys get so hung up on the 3/8" fuel line issue.

FWIW, the 350 2 bbl used a 3/8" fuel line too.

The original engine in my 1969 Chevelle station wagon was a 350 2bbl. The fuel line has never been changed as it is a 3/8". The car now runs a 396/350hp.

Well I looked at the 69 Chevelle - I took lots of pictures, but unfortunately as I am on vacation, I forgot to bring the cable to download the pix to the laptop......I will post some pix when I return home.

In terms of whether or not it is a true SS, the cowl tag did not look to be tampered with, and did have the "L" below the paint code, and the interior and exterior trim appeared as I believe is appropriate for an SS. No tach (owner said it was option). The paint was very nice, interior as well and it does apppear to have been restored, although perhaps frame-on (rust bubbles under the new paint were apparent, at the base of the rear window - if it was a frame-off resto, I would have expected those to be removed).

It drove well, except after the test drive, when radiator fluid begin dripping out of the overflow hose........hmmmm. Owner said that the radiator must have been overfilled! Obviously this could be due to a number of things (thermostat, water pump, etc).

Also disappointing to learn, after seeing the boot projecting from under the dash next to the brake pedal, that this was originally a 4-speed, converted to an automatic. Also was a bench seat car, with buckets added.

As posted above by "69399ss" and I now agree - "not of much significance documenting origin after original drive train is gone". I thought it was only the motor that was not original. I think the asking price of $23,900 is defintely too high, even more so than before I saw the car!

It was on Craigslist (where I learned about it - I was going to post a link) and may soon be on ebay - but it was removed from Craigslist very recently.....

If the radiator is filled to the top it will overflow, needs to be about an inch down.

The ad for this car is back on Craigslist.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/401961844.html