This article posted on June 9.
The vehicle in question is a 1969 Chevelle.
And its engine is the famed 396 Mark IV big block.
So, 6/9, 1969, and 396—if you’re hip with number theory, you know that 3, 6, 9 all share the number 3 as a common factor.*
* Common factors are factors (divisors) that are common among a set of numbers.
– Every grade school math teacher, ever.
Look we’re not numerologists around here (and we certainly don’t need an excuse to talk about a classic big block-powered Chevelle) but there’s just something oddly satisfying about that.
What’s even more satisfying is the laser-straight body and spotless Garnet Red paint job on this Lot Shots feature.
Indeed when this beast rolled into the Summit Racing Ohio Retail Store a while back, it was easy to overlook the oh-so-conspicuous 396 badging on the grille—it was not easy, however, to overlook the rumble from the exhaust.
Suffice it to say, we had our cameras clicking for this one.
If you read our earlier history on Super Sport evolution you already know that, by 1969, the Super Sport package was no longer simply about styling and had become a bona fide performance option. In fact, for the Chevelle, the SS was now the SS 396, which obviously meant that the 396 cubic inch big block was mandatory.
But what you might not know is that there were a few different flavors of the 396 in 1969, starting with a base spec L35 engine that made 325 horsepower, all the way up to the top-dog L78 396 good for 375 hp.
Fun Fact: 1969 also marked the first year you could get the soon-to-be-everywhere 350ci small block Chevy engine in a Chevelle.
What’s even more interesting is that, for 1969, the SS package wasn’t reserved exclusively for the Malibus, sport coupes, or convertibles. Yup, for a brief moment, you could actually order the SS trim and its requisite 396 engine on ANY two door Chevelle, including a 300 Deluxe base model post coupe.
These super rare “stripper-spec” post cars (like the silver one pictured about) had rubber floormats, bench seats, and vent windows—perfect for heavy-footed drivers on a budget.
This particular car is the better-appointed SS sport coupe, and it’s pretty darn near stock, as far as wheel can tell—save for the classic Cragar S/S wheels, that is.
The black stripe along the beltline is a stock add-on, indicative of the SS package, as were the obvious additions of SS badging in the grille and rear panel.
All told, the numbers on this one all add up to an impressive GM A-body coupe. And with that 396 pounding away under the hood, we’re sure the only number that really matters is the speed limit on whatever road this Chevelle is trapped on.
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