Hi Guys.
Just joined your site. While my lineup is typically Olds, my son is taking a serious look at a 69 Chevelle SS car. It is going to be a significant investment for him, and I humbly state that I really know nothing about these nice rides. He has asked me to go look at it with him. I have seen the car a few years ago, but was hoping that folks here could help us out in deteremining what to look for to determine if it is the real deal or not and also what maybe to look for if there are areas of these cars that were typically problem areas and the like so he can make a good judgement of the car before buying it.

I did however believe that true SS cars came with the 396 engine, but have been told that other engines were also used so this might be a place to start. I would think too that there should be something in the vin numbers perhaps that indicate an SS car or not. Another issue is parts availability. For some cars, certain parts are just not available so knowing what those might be would be a good thing too.

He is just getting out of a marital mess and hasnt got his computer set up so I am helping him out and seeking info for him. He will have to join himself later.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

Welcome aboard John
It CAN be pretty tough, if not impossible to tell the difference between a Factory born SS and a home brewed SS in the 69 model year.
http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

Welcome!!

Your belief that a '69 SS came with a 396 is correct. They WERE NOT available with any other engine. Its a SS396 option, not a SS350 or SSanything else option in '69. Print the ss ident link out and take it with you. Other good info available at http://www.chevellestuff.com/1969/index.htm get familiar with the Engine suffix codes.

OBTW if its a Canadian built vehicle (7th digit of VIN will be a "1") docs are available from GM Canada, including a list of original options delivered on the car. Otherwise no docs from GM on other mfg plants.

http://www.chevelles.com/vvs/

Welcome aboard John
It CAN be pretty tough, if not impossible to tell the difference between a Factory born SS and a home brewed SS in the 69 model year.
http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

Hi Dean. Think you are right but it is a worthwhile endeavor I think. Problem is the boy is foaming at the bit to get some ponies under the hood and may jump before he looks closer. I think the car is a bit overpriced too ...its been sitting for a couple of years, or it probably would have been sold by now.

Your belief that a '69 SS came with a 396 is correct. They WERE NOT available with any other engine. Its a SS396 option, not a SS350 or SSanything else option in '69. Print the ss ident link out and take it with you. Other good info available at http://www.chevellestuff.com/1969/index.htm get familiar with the Engine suffix codes.

OBTW if its a Canadian built vehicle (7th digit of VIN will be a "1") docs are available from GM Canada, including a list of original options delivered on the car. Otherwise no docs from GM on other mfg plants.

http://www.chevelles.com/vvs/

Hi Dave. Thanks for the tips and verifying the engine size. I have also been told that not all 396 were created equal and that perhaps up to three different ones were produced so I will have to check that out too. Olds did the same thing with their 425 engines, in three compression ratios. Perhaps the chevy ones did the same.

The Canadian built ID digit is something I probably would have forgot about and thanks for that tip.

You are also correct and I think printing out as much docs as I can before viewing and taking them with me is a great idea.

Thanks for your help and advice.

John

Is anyone aware of any specific problem areas with 69 Chevelles that prospective buyers should be aware of be they factory or things that develope over time.

As stated above a 69 SS is very difficult to prove, especially if it has been built or restored. There has been a lot of interest lately towards 69's and the biggest problem I see is people become so caught up in whether it is or is not a true SS car that they lose sight of the actual condition. A good solid car needing a lot less rust repair can be a better value as they are so easy to replicate.

If you find one that has all the pieces that give it the look of a SS car and is in good solid condition, judge it by what you see not the illusion of what it may have been.

Is anyone aware of any specific problem areas with 69 Chevelles that prospective buyers should be aware of be they factory or things that develope over time.

As with all chevelles, rusting in and around the rear wheel wells is common. Look at all lower parts of the body ( front fenders, doors, rear quarters). You can also look for bubbling or cancer around the rear window. If it has a vinyl top, take extra time and look/feel for bubbles that could be rust under the top.

The only good thing is replacement sheet metal is easy to acquire and the repairs can be done yourself if you are the least mechanically inclined.

John, Welcome to Team Chevelle.

69's are great!!..welcome..good info in prior posts..be patient, be a smart informed buyer..ask alot of questions here

Welcome to the site.

Welcome! 69 is a great choice...If you are still looking, I may have one for you. Clean 454, 4 speed muncie, benchseat, decent paint, nice new interior, factory wheels, 12 bolt posi, new BFGs, Demon carb, strong running and best of all, rust free!:noway:

Welcome John!

Where in Canada are you? There may be members near by that can help. I am in SW Ontario, if the car is near me I can go look at it with you.

Hi Guys.

Thanks for all the responses...I hope the boy took the time to read them. None the less, as expected, he has hauled his baby home. I viewed it last night and took it for a ride. Seems to not want to go into 3rd gear, but literally peels the tires off with little effort elsewise. Going over it, there is a few obvious non original parts but nothing serious horns, antenna, updated radio and speakers and a tail socket.

Looking at decoding the 2nd and 3rd VIN numbers and see that there are 36=Chevelle V8, 37=Concours and 38=Concours SS396

Got to clearify what each of these 3 possibilities means further.

We are in the Sarnia area. Where are you. John

Hi John,welcome.:waving: