I am currently looking at buying a 1969 Chevelle SS 396, One thing about it that seems out of place for a Chevelle SS 396.
The car has a shift on the column, I didn't think Chevelle SS's had a shift on the column. Is this a correct assumption or did they make Chevelle SS 396's with shifts on the column ????? Thanks

De,

The SS could have had a column shift. If you want to cnfm the car is an SS, a build sheet, protecto plate or the original window sticker would be you best source of info, providing of course the seller has one or all of these items. If the car is a big block, check to see if its a numbers matching car, the vin number should be stamped on the engines front pad on the passenger side, that would also be a fair indication of being an SS.

Good Luck

Rich

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70 SS - L34
Member # 442
www.chevelles.com/showroom/richr1 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/richr1)

If it happens to be a Canadian built Chevelle, you can tell by the data plate. In the last line it will have the engine and tranny codes.

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Dan Orgill
" It's not the heat, it's the stupidity. "

An SS car with a column shift automatic is not uncommon at all. Even the mighty LS6 cars were built this way. Bucket seats, console shifters were all OPTIONS and cost extra money.
69 was the first year where you can't ID an SS from the VIN.
Find the paperwork.

HI DE, You can not tell if a chevelle is a true SS by the vin. The SS was a package in 1969. Buy a book, chevelle by the numbers. With this book you can check engine pad for build date on the front pad, also on the pad along with the build date there will be part of the vin. This will let you know if the engine is the original engine that came with the car. Also check back of block on drivers side infront of trans for engine casting numbers. Check numbers on trans and rear.All will be in this book and if everything matches then you will know if it is a true SS.

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BILL TIRELLI MEMBER#280
1969 BLK CHEVELLE SS396 375HP 4SP 410 POSI
STATEN ISLAND NY

De, Bill's right I went through the same thing a little over 2 years ago when I was looking at a 69ss. I purchased several resto, type books, looked for specific items that could help ID a true SS because after 68 it became difficult to ID one. Ex. I had found in one book that in late 69 Chevy had over bored a few 396's to 402, this book included #'s to id them,There were other items I can't recall right now, but they did help me ID it as a SS. I wasn't lucky enough to locate any paper work. This site was a great deal of help to me also.

My dad bought a 69 SS 375hp 396 with a bench seat on the column in 1971. If you look under the dash where the gas pedal is, see if you see the kickdown switch for the turbo 400. It should have that if it is original. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

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69 SS 454
69 Malibu 406
ACES Member #3635