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1969 Chevrolet Chevelle news, pictures, and information
 |  | View more photos Hardtop Sport Coupe Chassis Num: 136379B404108 |
The close of the 1960's was the peak of the muscle-car era. Super Sport was synonymous with performance on Chevrolets. By having this package installed with the SS logos, it announced that the vehicle was a serious performance machine. Others preferred to have this power but not advertise their vehicles capabilities. For those, the no-graphics Chevelles were perfect. COPO, meaning the Central Office Production Order was a process that allowed vehicles to be specially ordered. The intent was for vehicles that carried a duty, such as taxicabs or possibly trucks. It is estimated that around 323 Chevelles were ordered with the L-72 427 cubic-inch big block engine. In modern times, there are only 17 known to exist.
The Fantom green Chevelle offered for sale at the World Wide Group Auction is certified in the Super Car Registry. The interior houses bucket seats, full console, gauge cluster, M-22 (Muncie Rock Crusher) four-speed transmission, chambered exhaust, floor mats, and courtesy light package. It is the highest optioned car COPO Chevelle known to exist.
There are no emblems or logo's to announcing to unsuspecting racers that this is a highly potent performance machine. The ultimate 'sleeper car.' Since new it has undergone a restoration. It was shown at the June Chevellabration in Nashville, Tennessee were it received the ACES (American Chevelle Enthusiasts Society) Award. It was judged one of the 50 best muscle cars in the country at the September Super Car Reunion #7 in Collinsville, Illinois.
At the conclusion of the auction, the vehicle was left unsold.
 | | View more photos Convertible |
After being totally redesigned for 1968, Chevelle for 1969 had a newly styled front end, which was again well-received by the intermediate market. It would be another very successful year for Chevelle, with more than 367,000 sold. The buyer had many levels of options and several engines to choose from, including an economical six, a larger 307 cubic-inch displacement V8 and a high performance big block engine.
The Chevelle Malibu was a favored muscle car platform, particularly when ordered with the SS 396 performance package. This included the potent 396 engine which produced 325 horsepower at 4800 RPM, front disc brakes, heavy duty rear end and special Super Sport badging.
This car was originally built in the GM Oshawa, Canada plant on June 2, 1969. It was delivered new, to the GM Technical Center, for use as an Engineering department vehicle. This special SS convertible was one of only fifteen produced for sale in the US with the rare combination of triple black paint, interior and top, in addition to the SS 396 package. Of 86,307 SS Malibus produced, it is unknown how many of the 8,927 convertibles were Super Sports. This model's original base list price was $2,800.
| | View more photos Hardtop Sport Coupe |
Yenko used the Central Office Production Order (COPO) to get around General Motors policy against engines larger than 396 cubic-inches being factory-installed in mid-sized cars. The COPO allowed unusual combinations by way of special order and disregarded company policy if enough units were ordered.
Of the 320 total COPO-ordered Chevelles, Don Yenko built only 99 with his Super Car package. These cars had a 427 cubic-inch engine producing 450 horsepower and were based on the standard Malibu. They included a high performance camshaft, a four-barrel Holley carburetor and a choice of a Muncie four-speed or Turbo-HydraMatic transmission. A heavy-duty suspension, power disc brakes and a blacked-out grille were also part of the Yenko Super Car package.
Only 35 Yenko Chevelles are known to exist today. This is one of only 14 to be painted Monaco Orange, a non-Malibu color.
This car was originally purchased by a Navy sailor from a Chevrolet dealer in Norfolk, Virginia. Later, the car was repossessed. The third owner of the car had it restored.
This car is one of only three 'triple COPOs,' as it is also equipped with an automatic transmission.
| View more photos Hardtop Sport Coupe Chassis Num: 9737 |
The Chevelle was introduced on September 26, 1963 as a mid-sized vehicle for the Chevrolet fleet. It was basically a smaller version of the Impala.
Muscle cars were associated with small vehicles with low weight and very few amenities but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. The entire Detroit market had been stricken by creating faster, more vehicles. The Chevelle flirted with this definition but went a step farther and added versatility and convenience. When introduced in 1963, its 327 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 300 horsepower was no match for the 389 cubic-inch V8 that the Pontiac GTO concealed under its hood. In the years that followed, Chevrolet would answer the challenge with larger, more powerful engines.
The Chevelle was built atop a new A-frame platform and had a 112 inch wheelbase. The suspension was unequal-length double wishbones in the front and a 4-link live-axle rear suspension. The vehicle could be ordered in 2 or 4 door bodystyle. The base model was the 300 series while the Malibu SS was the top-of-the-line model.
During the 1964 model year, over 76,800 Chevelle SS's were produced. Two engine sizes were available, the 283 and 327 cubic inch. Horsepower ranged from 195 through 300 depending on the engine and configuration.
The muscle car market was beginning to heat-up and Chevrolet needed to prove that they still had what was needed to compete. In 1965, Chevrolet unleashed a limited edition 396, known as the Z-16 package. The 201 examples that were produced featured 375 horsepower, highly-modified suspension and power-assisted steering, and anti-roll bars in the front and rear. The gear ratio on the Muncie 4-speed transmission was raised from 3.31 to 4.56. The 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were still available. The base engine still produced 195 horsepower while the top of the line Z79 327 was now producing 350 horsepower. Production was down by over 4000 SS's from the previous year, now at 72,500.
Chevrolet was catching up in the horsepower battle. In 1966, the 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were no longer being offered. Rather, the 396 became the standard engine with the horsepower outputting between 325 to 375 depending on the configuration. The greater the horsepower the vehicles received, the greater the need to modify the other components of the vehicle. All Chevelles were outfitted with stiffer springs and shocks to counter handling problems.
The SS name was switched to SS396 to highlight the 396 cubic-inch engine lurking underneath the hood. A new bumper, roof line, and dual hood scoops were applied to the vehicle to give it an updated and more aggressive look. For 1966, 72,272 examples were produced. Part of this success is credited with the competitive price, styling and vehicle performance.
Front disc brakes and new tires were added in 1967. A three speed automatic was added to the 3 and 4 speed manual, and two speed automatic transmission options. The 396 engine producing 325 horsepower was still the standard power plant. The L34 engine saw a reduction in horsepower by 10 to comply with new GM corporate policy regarding one-BHP per ten-pounds of curb weight. The 375 horsepower option was removed from the line-up.
In 1968, the Chevelle SS was redesigned. The rear of the car was shortened while the front was stretched giving it a fast-back appearance. The wheelbase decreased by three inches. The L78 375 horsepower engine option was re-added to the line-up. The zero-to-sixty time was rated around 6.5 seconds while the quarter-mile time was 14.5 seconds. Unfortunately, sales were down considerably hovering around 57,600.
The SS 396 became an option package for the Chevelles in 1969. By the end of the year, the 396 was increased to 402 cubic inches. A limited number of 427 cubic-inch power plants were offered. With over 86,300 vehicles sold in 1969, the Chevelle SS was gaining ground in the popularity battle.
For 1970, production was down to just below 53,600 Chevelle SS's. However, horsepower was up, way up. The horsepower ranged from 350 to 450 horsepower from the 402 and 454 powerplants. With the LS6 454 engine, the vehicle could race from zero-to-sixty in just over 6 seconds. The quarter mile could be reached in 13.7 seconds.
In 1971, the muscle car era was beginning to decline due to safety and government regulations. As a result, the engines were detuned and horsepower and sales plummeted. Nearly 20,000 Chevelle SS's were sold. The base engine was the L65 350 cubic-inch V8 producing 245 horsepower. The top of the line engine, the LS5 454 V8, was still at muscle-car status with its 365 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque. The Chevelle's borrowed from the Monte Carlo design and received single headlights.
The trend of detuning continued in 1972 as manufacturers were buckling under the increasing government regulations. The base L65 V8 engine now produced 165 horsepower. The Ls5 454 V8 produced 270 horsepower. During the 1972 model year, 5,333 examples of the Chevelle SS were produced.
The Chevelle was redeisgned again in 1973 to help stimulate sales. Thecar grew in size and growing farther away from its sporty car image. The 'colonnade hartop' models replaced the pillarless hardtop versions. The convertible option was no longer offered.
Production continued until 1977.
For more information and related vehicles, click here© 1998-2009. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Muscle cars were associated with small vehicles with low weight and very few amenities but large amounts of horsepower from massive engines. The entire Detroit market had been stricken by creating faster, more vehicles. The Chevelle flirted with this definition but went a step farther and added versatility and convenience. When introduced in 1963, its 327 cubic-inch V8 engine producing 300 horsepower was no match for the 389 cubic-inch V8 that the Pontiac GTO concealed under its hood. In the years that followed, Chevrolet would answer the challenge with larger, more powerful engines.
The Chevelle was built atop a new A-frame platform and had a 112 inch wheelbase. The suspension was unequal-length double wishbones in the front and a 4-link live-axle rear suspension. The vehicle could be ordered in 2 or 4 door bodystyle. The base model was the 300 series while the Malibu SS was the top-of-the-line model.
During the 1964 model year, over 76,800 Chevelle SS's were produced. Two engine sizes were available, the 283 and 327 cubic inch. Horsepower ranged from 195 through 300 depending on the engine and configuration.
The muscle car market was beginning to heat-up and Chevrolet needed to prove that they still had what was needed to compete. In 1965, Chevrolet unleashed a limited edition 396, known as the Z-16 package. The 201 examples that were produced featured 375 horsepower, highly-modified suspension and power-assisted steering, and anti-roll bars in the front and rear. The gear ratio on the Muncie 4-speed transmission was raised from 3.31 to 4.56. The 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were still available. The base engine still produced 195 horsepower while the top of the line Z79 327 was now producing 350 horsepower. Production was down by over 4000 SS's from the previous year, now at 72,500.
Chevrolet was catching up in the horsepower battle. In 1966, the 283 and 327 cubic-inch engines were no longer being offered. Rather, the 396 became the standard engine with the horsepower outputting between 325 to 375 depending on the configuration. The greater the horsepower the vehicles received, the greater the need to modify the other components of the vehicle. All Chevelles were outfitted with stiffer springs and shocks to counter handling problems.
The SS name was switched to SS396 to highlight the 396 cubic-inch engine lurking underneath the hood. A new bumper, roof line, and dual hood scoops were applied to the vehicle to give it an updated and more aggressive look. For 1966, 72,272 examples were produced. Part of this success is credited with the competitive price, styling and vehicle performance.
Front disc brakes and new tires were added in 1967. A three speed automatic was added to the 3 and 4 speed manual, and two speed automatic transmission options. The 396 engine producing 325 horsepower was still the standard power plant. The L34 engine saw a reduction in horsepower by 10 to comply with new GM corporate policy regarding one-BHP per ten-pounds of curb weight. The 375 horsepower option was removed from the line-up.
In 1968, the Chevelle SS was redesigned. The rear of the car was shortened while the front was stretched giving it a fast-back appearance. The wheelbase decreased by three inches. The L78 375 horsepower engine option was re-added to the line-up. The zero-to-sixty time was rated around 6.5 seconds while the quarter-mile time was 14.5 seconds. Unfortunately, sales were down considerably hovering around 57,600.
The SS 396 became an option package for the Chevelles in 1969. By the end of the year, the 396 was increased to 402 cubic inches. A limited number of 427 cubic-inch power plants were offered. With over 86,300 vehicles sold in 1969, the Chevelle SS was gaining ground in the popularity battle.
For 1970, production was down to just below 53,600 Chevelle SS's. However, horsepower was up, way up. The horsepower ranged from 350 to 450 horsepower from the 402 and 454 powerplants. With the LS6 454 engine, the vehicle could race from zero-to-sixty in just over 6 seconds. The quarter mile could be reached in 13.7 seconds.
In 1971, the muscle car era was beginning to decline due to safety and government regulations. As a result, the engines were detuned and horsepower and sales plummeted. Nearly 20,000 Chevelle SS's were sold. The base engine was the L65 350 cubic-inch V8 producing 245 horsepower. The top of the line engine, the LS5 454 V8, was still at muscle-car status with its 365 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque. The Chevelle's borrowed from the Monte Carlo design and received single headlights.
The trend of detuning continued in 1972 as manufacturers were buckling under the increasing government regulations. The base L65 V8 engine now produced 165 horsepower. The Ls5 454 V8 produced 270 horsepower. During the 1972 model year, 5,333 examples of the Chevelle SS were produced.
The Chevelle was redeisgned again in 1973 to help stimulate sales. Thecar grew in size and growing farther away from its sporty car image. The 'colonnade hartop' models replaced the pillarless hardtop versions. The convertible option was no longer offered.
Production continued until 1977.
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