[Eric Carter]

I'm a "newby" Chevelle guy. I have owned lots of muscle cars including pace car camaros, e-body mopars, solid axle vettes, etc., however, I'm thinking about buying a '69 Chevelle coupe SS396/325, 4spd, #numbers matching car in excellent condition -- oh, by the way, it's fathom? green. What's it really worth? The reason I like the Chevelle is that I drove one (1) time and I felt that the frame made the car drive better than any Camaro I ever owned. I would love to convert this car to a Yenko clone. Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Chris R]

Sounds like a car that could be a mid teens to 30K range depending on condition. Is there a buildsheet?

It would be foolish to make a yenko clone out of a matching SS IMO. Yenkos were basically a Malibu with all the HD big block parts. Matching SS cars are not easy to find these days, any non-matching 69 could be made a Yenko clone so as to not sacrifice a matching SS. Or even any SS for that matter. Thats just my personal opinion.

 

[Eric Carter]

Thanks for the tip. From what I see for sale, it seems like $25-35K is the going rate for a really nice ss396/325 coupe -- add on another 5K+ if it's a dealer. Either way, these just seem like high numbers, but I guess that's what people are paying?

 

[Woj]

I agree with Chris, I wouldn't buy this car to clone into a Yenko. You can do that with a clean Malibu all day long. If it has paperwork, build sheet and or protectoplate, don't change it. A 325 hp engine run with 100 octane will perform very well if that is what you want.

Woj.

 

[plowman]

I can not find one in that range always more than that. If somwone has one like that they want to sell give me a shout.

 

[Chris R]

Eric. I didnt see you are in St. Paul, Mn. We have a lot of guys here in the area too. Feel free to drop in and say hi and even ask the same questions about this 69SS your reffering too.

http://www.northstarchevelles.com/

 

[Eric Carter]

Thanks Chris. FYI, if you know of a really nice '69-'71 Chevelle for sale in the Twin Cities, please let me know. The car I'm thinking about dealing on is at: www.musclecarsnw.com ('69 396/325 green). Your thoughts are welcome. Also, I've had many types of muscle and classic cars, and I've found it's hard to find a great driving, steering and stopping muscle/classic car that is reliable. The last best muscle car I owned and drove a lot was my '69 pace car Camaro. Aside from the cowl twist (due in part to a 4spd), it drove outstanding. However, nothing beats a full frame car for driving.

Eric

 

[Blown 70]

Turning a documented REAL SS into a Yenko CLONE, is like winning the Olympic GOLD MEDAL and having it BRONZED :noway:

 

[Eric Carter]

Would it be a mistake to take a number matching 396/325 SS Chevelle and upgarde the heads, cam and carb? I would be very happy with this combo, and I would keep all original parts. The reason is that there is so much more power available from 325hp 396 if one does a few things. I've seen a number of 396 build-ups that can put out 400-500 reliable hp, depending parts. My point is that the Yenko clone idea was more about the 427 "hot" motor than anything else.

Eric

 

[Chris R]

Eric, feel free to post in our free classifieds for what your looking for. I been looking for a 69SS for many years now since I had one slip through my fingers in 1996 for dirt cheap, I kick myself for that one every single day still.

You may be looking for something much nicer and more expensive then me if your looking at dealer inventories. Which is no big deal. Personally, I never been a big fan of classic car dealers.

 

[Neal Wright]

Geez, you guys are nuts.

A Yenko clone out of a “real” SS396 … is NO BIG DEAL!! What the heck do you think you’re going to change on a Yenko clone, that would make the car any less “real”?

Most clones out there, are the basic style … put in 427ci (or just different air cleaner sticker), and repaint body stripes … possibly do seat covers. Many original cars, and some rightly so, have their original motor pulled and put in dry-storage. The stripes are just minor body work.

Anyhow … again, quit talking non-sense. There’s nothing to a Yenko-clone, that involves anything major, that couldn’t be undone.

P.S. Be careful looking at ’69 & ’70 Chevelles. It’s getting easier by the day to fool someone into thinking it’s an original car, and there are very few ways to really tell. If you’re into a true documented ‘69SS, try to get some help … many people have come up thinking they’ve bought a documented car, when even the doc’s are fake.

Thanks, Neal

 

[Jimmy P]

Would it be a mistake to take a number matching 396/325 SS Chevelle and upgarde the heads, cam and carb? I would be very happy with this combo, and I would keep all original parts. The reason is that there is so much more power available from 325hp 396 if one does a few things. I've seen a number of 396 build-ups that can put out 400-500 reliable hp, depending parts. My point is that the Yenko clone idea was more about the 427 "hot" motor than anything else.

Eric

Stroke that 396! Make your own 427 with your stock 396 block.
Here's the most bang for the buck: http://www.speedomotive.com/ps-75-7-chevy-396-to-434-budget-stroker-kit.aspx

I have one with ported 215 heads and a Comp 284 XE cam. I can slam the throttle rolling at 60 mph and it'll spin the tires. I'll bet it's putting close to 400 HP the rear wheels. Me likes it!

 

[BlackSSaz]

Eric - That seems like tall cash for a green car to me - it is one of those colors that people either love or hate. For even 10k less than that, you need to make sure that EVERY number on that engine matches (i.e. proper engine casting number, casting date that jives well with cars build date, head casting dates match, vin stamp on block is perfect, broach marks are visible, etc..)

If you don't care about all of that stuff, you can find a very nice driver for 15-23k. 69's are not SS's unless all stamps/dates are perfect and/or you have a build sheet on the car (be careful there too, because you can buy them on ebay all day long). You might want to look at 68's - different tail lights, etc, but pretty much the same car, and you know they are real SSs by the vin.

 

[69396ss]

A matching number's 396 will prove SS origin in 69. Watch the date codes and casting numbers and verify a possible VIN stamp on the oil filter Boss.

Get him down to 32K and I'd consider it.

I think the green looks pretty slick with the White stripe/interior.

Looks like minor cosmetic corrections are all that's needed on it.

I'd slap some Red Lines on it, detail the incorrect items in the engine bay and Run her!

That looks like a pretty nice car to me, and 32K for a car that's pretty much done with matching numbers is really a steal these days.

Try building one.

I'd offer 32K and hope he bites and in 6 years when you decide your tired of it you'll sell it for 42K.

 

[Bunz-T]

Mark Twain once told a stockbroker: Son I am not so concerned about the return on my investment as I am return of my investment. With these cars once you pass $30K in price, especially to a dealer, you venture into the great unknown of car value. If this car represents everything you ever wanted and you plan to keep it a long time it does not matter what it cost. By soliciting advise here you have hesitated and when it happens to me my gut usually tells me to walk. There will be another car. Settling from frustration usually becomes my most expensive mistake. Good Luck.