396 SS Chevelle. Is it a fine 69??......

Come check out this 69 SS Chevelle . We take a close up look at a time capsule from the 90's.
#customcars #hotrod #utg #classiccarsculture #protouring #streetmachine #classiccars #kapwing #chevelle #chevrolet #chevy #chevrolet #chevelless #chevroletbeat #69chevelless #chevy #chevychevelle

[@johna1160]

Converting a factory four speed to an automatic brings a tear to my eye.

[@fredflintstone8048]

I had a 55 Chevy, small block, 4 speed muncie, and a heavy racing clutch. After having to use it for years as transportation and driving it to work everyday in city traffic I finally pulled the muncie and installed a turbo 400. Of course nothing in the drivetrain was original so nothing lost there. Made the car much more pleasurable to drive. Never regretted doing that. Now with a collectable like the Chevelle, and if it's not a daily driver, etc. Yeah, would make no sense to me to swap out the original drive train but one must consider how the owners of these cars felt as you go farther back in time. Very few would have realized the future value of keeping everything completely stock.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I hear ya!!😁

[@texasslingleadsomtingwong8751]

​@fredflintstone8048 completely understand.

[@mostlyoldparts]

It's refreshing to see an honest car in your shop for a change. This thing is pretty darned nice!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yes it is!

[@nickbruni8041]

Dang BrotherMan … I didn’t know You even Allowed Chevys in your Shop ;-) Definitely a cool ride ! ⛽️🍻

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

We don't discriminate here bud 😎😁

[@SpeedyG289]

Nice ride. Been looking for a Corvair, nothing fancy just a runner. So many rusty cars.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Can be hard to find a good one depending where you're at !

[@TonyGeneseo]

Sweet ride and so nice to see that someone got a real keeper ! Can’t imagine the price tag but maybe it was a great deal and the customer will keep it as it is being a true survivor. Of course with your very handy work and input. Take care my friend

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Price was very fair. He's a happy camper for sure!

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

An original 1969 trunk pan still in the car? That’s got to be ultra rare! In my youth I owned a 71 Chevelle that I bought needing back rocker panels and a trunk floor. In the engine bay was that the original master cylinder?

[@user-yk8ej4jq6j]

Mr. Kiwi, good evening and that is beautiful 69 Chevelle. I heard you mention that you have checked the VIN and the car is a true SS. I currently own a 69 4 spd SS Chevelle 396 325 HP. 69 and 70 is the years that is the most cloned. This is due to the fact that the SS designation was removed from the VIN, the "138"# the last year for this was 68 SS. During the walkaround and underside inspection there were a few items that are non SS specific. Let me start with the front, the fender headlight trim and the fender lower head light fillers. The front bumper turn signal lights left and right are non SS specific. The underside also might be a concern the absence of a boxed lower control arm and what they call the SS brace which connects the frame to the lower control arm suspension for rigidity is not present, rear sway bar I remember could be an option. My comment is not to impress but to hope the car is presented properly to you or your customer because there is a big difference between SS Chevelle money and a Chevelle Malibu money. Another way to distinguish SS from non SS is body color from the trim code. Daytona Yellow and Monaco Orange are the only two colors in 69 to be SS only.

[@pnuts1649]

Right....... I laugh when he said the VIN proves it's an original SS car. I noticed a couple of missing SS things also. But, I'll keep them to myself. Once it's been modified like this one, it doesn't really matter if it's fake or not.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

There does seem to be a question mark over the true SS status and it's really not something I'm that knowledgable on. He didn't pay real SS money as the motor and trans aren't original anyway. Given the condition of the body and the components in the car he did good😎

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

You had to order the rear sway bar to get the boxed control arms on a SS . Most Chevelle guys didn't spend the extra money on something that they considered to be " dead weight " when ordering their new car . Time slips mattered back then . Neither my own '68 SS or my lady friend's '69 SS had the boxed arms , and we owned them at a time when the idea of building a clone hadn't been thought of yet .

[@jrwstl02]

There is no longer that much $ difference between an SS and a Malibu. I searched for a long time to find a solid, original metal Malibu. So many have been cloned into SS cars that it’s a challenge to find a Malibu. I do not want an SS, but about everybody asks me “when are you gonna convert it to SS?”. LOL.

[@marcgendron6745]

They look great in silver with a black gut , but you can't beat the condition of that one. 👍

[@67L-88]

Looks like a nice car. I would guess that was someone's dream car back in the 1990s. Probably stored away in a garage for the last 20 years. I am guessing it was buried under junk in the garage based on having a few chips and dings on the top surfaces of the car. A little updating and she would look great!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Agreed, it's kinda cool to see a 90's time capsule! She's been loved for sure!!

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

I think someone really loved this baby.Remember in the 80’s when you could by a used one between $$500-$1500 bucks but that times long gone. I paid $1,000 for a 71 with a 396 in it. When the cancer spread to far I begrudgingly sold it.

[@ULCRev]

Damn...I had a triple black 69 with the 396...blew that motor and stuck an Olds 455 out of a same year Tornado.. It was ...interesting.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I'll bet......

[@lisabreitigam4858]

That's a great Chevelle, looks like one that was around here in Ohio in the late 80s ,also had a Lingenfelter 496 in it making over 600 hp on pump gas . 😊

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Whoa that was a lot of go back then!!!

[@J.n.A.1993]

My aunt owned a glacier blue 69 Malibu 2 door sport coupe with a white vinyl top and blue interior, 307 automatic. She sold it before I was old enough to buy it. I miss that car.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I bet you do!! Thanks for watching!

[@burtbacarach5034]

That's a pretty sweet ride Kiwi!Nice not to see a rust bucket that's been bondo'd and pop riveted to death and sold as "Restored'.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

It really is, thanks for watching!

[@TAVOAu]

"It's not full of holes" Said in a tone like that's a problem 😆 The paperwork with it is a very nice touch. I have a 1977 'British Rival" motocross bike, very few made, and that has all its original paperwork with it. All that said, it is a very nice car.

[@barrycuda3769]

I'm curious, what model of motocrosser?

[@TAVOAu]

@@barrycuda3769 That's its brand "British Rival" Made by an ex trials and motocross rider in the UK, using a German Sachs engine. Very quick view of it on my channel.

[@barrycuda3769]

@@TAVOAu Oh, I hadn't heard of that bike ,I watched your video. Seems that you're a vintage dirt bike enthusiast? I haven't had anything exotic, but had SL125, ,78 TT500, '78 YZ 250 , TT250, '79 PE 175, '80 PE 175 , IT 200, '86 CR 250, '76 XT500, and now, a little '74 XL 100 with a 125 motor ,XR forks , CR tank ,forks, shocks, fenders, handlebars, rear wheel, custom seat ,and everything, except the motor, painted Elsinore red ,about the only thing original is the frame. 🙂

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

More surprise than problem 😬. Cheers mate!!

[@olsmokey5256]

Nice wee Car 👍

[@1911MikeinOregon]

My first car was a 69 SS 396 Chevelle. I bought it in 1976 when I was 15 years old... It had an M-21 Muncie with 4.11 posi. It was silver with a black vinyl top and black interior with a bench seat. Mine was only a 325hp/396. The only things I did to it were put a different cam in it, headers, and some distributor work, but it was one of those engines that for some reason ran way better than it should have. Of course the 4.11's helped... Not sure how I forgot to watch this video before. There's no doubt that this is an 80's era car. I remember when people were doing a lot of chrome and hand pinstriping. It was fairly common for "show" cars to have the firewall and inner fenders painted the same color as the body... Others have already pointed out the incorrect fender trim. Another thing that always raises a flag is if the panel between the tail lights with the SS badge is painted the body color. It should be semi-gloss black. Of course that doesn't mean it's not an SS if it's not black, especially if the car has been repainted.

[@francfurian8215]

Nice easy one for a change Kiwi. Merry Christmas & a safe, healthy & prosperous 2024. Cheers😊

[@DanEBoyd]

I rode around a bunch in one of these in 1981, but it was pretty roached, and soon got crashed.

[@MVPisME383]

I'd love to have it

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Me too !! Thanks for watching!

[@SSbigblock454]

Nice car but...On a '69 unless it has the original engine in it with a matching VIN you can't positively determine whether it's an original SS or not. I'll tell you right now that the front fender "eyebrow" trim is wrong for an SS. It shouldn't extend all the way down to the wheel well molding. That particular trim is Malibu only. What would the purpose be of going through the process of changing that? I hope the new owner wasn't lied to to get more money out of him. It's still a very nice car regardless. A nice tribute car.

[@DanEBoyd]

Good eye! I didn't notice that. It is very possible that that car has had some sort of front end damage, and the proper SS parts weren't available, or the guy fixing it didn't know the difference. I went back and looked, and the driver side fender doesn't appear to have that. Would an SS396 have the bigger 3/8ths" fuel line in 1969? There are other clues - but I guess they can all be duplicated too...

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

Probably twice as many SS's driving around today than Chevrolet ever made.

[@DanEBoyd]

@@outlawbillionairez9780 And cowl induction hooded first gen Camaros...

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

@@DanEBoyd A friend bought a new Z28 , 302 when they came out. Pretty impressive little car.

[@robinluck2922]

I seen that...its a 68 feature & painted black below the trim

[@bcbloc02]

Nice to see an old car that doesn't need months of work to be driveable.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yes it is !! Thanks for watching!

[@glennnickerson8438]

Have fun with this one Kiwi!😎

[@rickyfulks889]

Beautiful Chevelle

[@craignehring]

Wonderful car

[@brianalbrecht4423]

4 a 55yo car...damn right thats an "A"...!..nice to see a solid one roll in your shop....few & far between 4 sure ...!...im sure u like to give the coustomer good news rather than bad news...🙂69 was a nice year 4 the chevelle...thanks 4 the video Kiwi...!

[@joshuadille5005]

Beautiful ride. I love honest vehicles!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Me too!!

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Boxing the lower control arms bind up the suspension,, they are designed to twist to get full articulation. Like so many go fast parts they are really go slow parts.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah for action there's an equal and opposite reaction. 😎👍

[@donthompson2188]

Nice ride

[@justinkorpela7955]

Beautiful cheville

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

Nice looking car. Nice for a change. Not to see one of those buyer. Beware surprisingly this one's red. Really good shape. Nice. Yeah back in the day with the chrome like you said it was cheap then not anymore nice. 👍👍🇨🇦🙂

[@DisabilityExams]

Cool car

[@billywird]

That is a good solid driver that is to be enjoyed. Yes the rust in those quarters can be addressed and if we were to examine we would see that the original drainage from the factory would be clogged up with over fifty years of the mud, blood, and beer. Of course you would know that with all of your experience on these automobiles. I like a standard transmission as well (4 speed) but with all of the red lights we have to contend with in cities nowadays the automatics are the ticket. When I was coming up and you acquired a vehicle with an automatic transmission the challenge was to get rid of it. I had friend of mine who had an Oldsmobile Cutlass who went through a lot to convert it from an automatic to a 4 speed and the car actually ran faster with the automatic in it. Oldsmobile's were not so easy to convert to standard shift unless they came from the factory that way as the Oldsmobile' were more of a family car (with the exceptions of their factory hot rods).

[@shotsrodder]

Nice ride 😎

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Thanks man and thanks for watching!

[@robertratliff6030]

Sorry to point this out, the car has 1968 front fenders. Oh by the way there is absolutely no way to tell if a 1969 Chevelle in an SS by the vin number. You have to have the build sheet. Chevy made the SS an option across all two door Chevelle's in 69 to fool insurance companies. 1968 is the last year that the SS has its own vin. The Kansas assembly plant stamped a B in the lower corner of the cowl trim tag for the SS. Without that stamp on a Kansas car or the build sheet no proof that it's not a clone. SS option - Front power disc brakes, L35 396, a Ford heavy duty 3sp, ( I know sounds weird, but the Muncie 3 SPD couldn't handle the 396. ), 14x7 SS 5 Spoke wheels,and heavy duty springs with boxed in lower control arms. Of course SS hood badges, plaques inside and out, blacked out grill and tail panel. The package could be had on all coups , from the 300 to the Malibu

[@rodrocket8216]

Nice.

[@aussiebloke609]

I do like to see some paint fading, a few spots of oil seepage, and maybe a little surface rust in key areas. Shows it's probably not been hacked apart and glued together recently, and with an honest survivor you know what you're getting into.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

You are exactly right!!!😎👍

[@kenrhodes6946]

67 and 69 are my favorite chevelles.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

They're a popular choice!!!

[@oldarkie3880]

70 ss 454 is where it's at.

[@hobbyhermit66]

A nice one

[@texasslingleadsomtingwong8751]

Thats actually an honest and nice car .

[@diegosilang4823]

4 eyes Chevelles are the best.

[@strokermaverick]

Kiwi, seems like a really nice, non-Ford vehicle! Just, kidding! I love, all the muscle car era cars! Ford, Chevy, Oldsmobile, Mopar, Buick, Pontiac and A.M.C.! Just, settled in with Ford, in the last 30 years. Thank you, for the upload!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah you can't say you're an American car lover if you only like one brand I say. 👍😎

[@oveidasinclair982]

No AC, or Cow injection hood, but I love that center console and horse shoe shifter.

[@MikePetty-fx4ys]

The metal tag matches the vin and checks the numbers. Plus cust has a certified appraisal. It is for sure a ss. Cust even took to another "expert " that decoded the numbers off the warranty tag. You are correct tho. You can't tell if it is a true ss without a build sheet or that warranty tag. I hope that does help

[@deltabloo]

The VIN won’t tell you on a 69 if it’s a real SS. You really have to know what to look for. Many Malibus have been changed to SS’s over the years. The rear control arms would be boxed from the factory if the car came with a rear swaybar, but there would also be bolt holes for the sway bar.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Hmm, there are a couple of question marks but it's not my area of expertise I'm afraid. What I can tell you is he paid a lot less than some of the disasters I've had in the shop so he's a happy camper😁😎

[@billywird]

There is controversy here about the SS option on these cars. I have a 68 El Camino (it has been wrecked) that I bought from the original owner and it has the SS trim package, but it does not have the suspension set up that is on the SS cars (I believe that that would be the F41 suspension?). And of course I have had people tell me that the car is a clone, but it is original except the original owner had it repainted and the original owner's wife had a crash in it and the car was totaled I think, and he kept the car and then sold it. This car was a 396/400 turbo combination with standard drum brakes, P/S with factory A/C. Now I also have a 69 El Camino that was a 307/powerglide with just power steering that I have installed the 396/400 and with a 12bolt rear axle. I have boxed the rear lower control arms added the rear sway bar and have the heavier front sway bar and of course converted to factory disc brakes. This car is a clone for sure but I could present it as a SS car with the right badging and those who do not know would think so (except for the trained eye). I would not represent the car in that way but as you point out there would be others who would. I fixed the car for my enjoyment just as this featured car has been fixed for an owner's personal taste. Of course when these cars were new people would get a hold of them and "build them better than Detroit" and really just butcher them up.

[@deltabloo]

If the customer got a nice clean car for decent money he’s the winner! (And that car is very nice) too many people get sucked in by those two letters (SS) when they could spend way less money on a plain Jane Malibu and build it into something better than any SS ever was with the aftermarket support we have today.

[@andrewhill7071]

Yep, that front fender trim is from a 68, for sure. 69 had none

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

So few untouched ones these days. You used what you could lay your hands on back when these cars were 10-15 years old and worth a $1000 bucks maybe ..........

[@chriscadman6379]

Hello.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Hey Mr Cadman😎

[@Mark-um7ey]

Nice! Not an over the top restoration that is too nice to drive but definitely could use some love. Would pull the engine and paint everything back to stock appearance and some nice rear ladder bars to make it hook without destroying the original mounts, a little maintenance and enjoy

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

There's a lot to said for a car you can drive .....

[@Mark-um7ey]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 yeah no doubt. I can understand if the owner wants to restore it to trailer queen because it's a nice starting point but I don't think I could lol I would definitely ditch the 90's look for original and enjoy it

[@10868940ih]

Back in the day as you say we used to call chrome GFS. Go Fast Sh!t

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

LOL. 😎👍

[@Jim-ic2of]

Nice Hot Rod .😊Must have put the auto. in for The Missus .😢Shame .

[@johnandersonjjr]

The trunk paint isn’t original so who knows if it was patched up.Underneath the era (l couldn’t see where exactly but it looked like it may’ve been patched up as I couldn’t see any stamped in ridges just smooth sheet metal.Looked like the inner rocker area just ended about 5 inches up but maybe been an optical illusion. The moulding on the front /side grille (down to the wheel opening)is from a 68

[@panelvanman7671]

do like those , being addicted to panel vans is a problem 😂but your a kiwi from the right era so im sure you dont mind the odd ford panel van or two

[@mikedaugharty5544]

Very nice car kind of not so fun to tell a person that they got taken to the cleaners on their cars it they don't probably enjoy seeing that and hearing it so good job

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I hate telling customers they bought a dog so yes it's nice to tell them it's a super solid car !!!

[@louisrauzi3872]

Do believe should have rear sway bar. Reason for the boxed arms.

[@bradnewman8498]

That exhaust after the headers isn’t doing that engine any favours.

[@DanEBoyd]

That early '90s decal on the side is cheesy - a sort of continuation of mid-to-late '80s mall decorations... The biggest problem is that after an eraser-wheel'ing, the paint isn't going to match. The pinstripes I'm at least more inclined to keep. Especially the ones around the cowl vent grills. The engine doesn't bother me, but I'd paint the tops of the inner fenders, and probably the firewall, black. Is that bad boy still rocking the "Astro Ventilation" silk-screenings at the fronts of the door glass?? My friend's had those.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

The graphics are staying for now for that very reason, also they're cool in a cheesy kinda way😎

[@kimmogensen5390]

yep that alt fan is surely a worring sound intil one finds the source,,,

[@outlawbillionairez9780]

Chevelle?!? ... Some kind of French car, I guess.🤔

[@Timberns]

They always look great… til you dig into them and find a bunch of stuff you don’t like

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

They're never finished......

[@hotpuppy1]

Too bad the 4 speed is gone. That hurts the value (and fun factor). Looks good. Painting under hood, firewall and radiator support body color is not my style. Prefer factory black there.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah it's all subjective, each to their own as they say. This is why people pay serious money for a custom build to their own unique specs.

[@robinluck2922]

The lower front 1/4 chrome trim looks to be from a 68...??

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Please put the 4 speed MT back!!!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah I agree but the owner likes the auto😁

[@steveib724]

This is one of my favorites sad it's an automatic lol 😂

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

A 4 speed would be cool!!

[@lessharratt8719]

Nice car for not being a mustang. Is that blue car in the background a sunbeam tiger??

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

It's aSunbeam Alpine.....but not for much longer! Watch this space as it's going to be getting some major surgery soon😎😎

[@anderleof]

What's all the "clicking" and "creaking" in the audio?

[@barrycuda3769]

Not the usual Mustang, but still horse themed, I think Chevelle is French for Horse ??

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

I had a quick look and its Cheval Close enough for me!!

[@DeereX748]

the '69 is my all-time favorite Chevelle. Too bad someone changed it from original, I don't care it has a Lingenfelter engine, It's worth less to me than the original 396 and Muncie 4-speed. Another 100 horsepower in that car is useless. It's good to finally see something on Kiwi's lift that isn't lipstick on a pig, though.

[@fredjones1238]

is she a clone who knows for sure i do know it has the correct hood with the vents thats my 2 cents worth still nice survivor

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

As you say, a nice survivor

[@user-wm1js2no9x]

The main thing i don't like about the car. Not mine😊

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

LOL. Indeed!!

[@jimamizzi1]

Ya got to fix that camera rattle kiwi.

[@oldtimerf7602]

GM boohoo hissss😂😂

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Aww come on now it's an American muscle car so ya gotta love that right😉😎

[@georgecooke9010]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqXNlXuXgsqcn7M LOOKS LIKE AN EARL SCHEIB SPECIAL, NO KIWI CLASSIC! NEEDS KIWI, ~ $7K, AND BACK TO STICK COULD TRANSFORM INTO A BOBBY DESLER.

[@roblamont8756]

That camera is very noisy😢

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Sorry about that. Got mics just have to figure out how to use them now😬

[@DAVIDWTCS]

I'd rather have an honest 6 than a made-up 9.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yes sir!!!! Couldn't agree more

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

I like 69 chevelles. Only second to the 68

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

67 is my favorite! Thanks for watching!!

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 fuel pump on the noggin you know you had that sample taken you. Well it looks like you're doing pretty good. I think you know what I'm referring to I'm going back about 2 months or so. We were in a Danish Amish type of store with home preserves and pies and everything else. And my wife saw something I believe it was preservatives and it said kiwi. And she immediately thought of you. Just thought you might like to know that you were thought of. She's not the biggest car person but she's getting there.

[@TheGeneralMotorsGeezer-we3dg]

White letters OUT.

[@kimmogensen5390]

Hey guys if anyone is located near me" Denmark" i have one of these 4,3 diesel sitting in a 80 chysler and its free , infact the whole car is , but its rotten ,,

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Personally? I hate all the updates. The repaint was...not so hot. They took a nice, straight Chevelle and made a tacky restomod out of it.

[@BeLoose1]

You cannot tell the authenticity of a 1969 Chevelle SS by the vin number. There are many details on this car that indicates it is not a true SS.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Yeah I don't pretend to know how to identify one. There seems to be a lot opinions as to how to positively ID one 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@lindseyflannery2509]

P r o m o s m

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

????

[@user-KrackerJack]

Why on earth would someone take out a 4 speed and replace with an automatic. How lame .

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

To go drag racing.....

[@user-KrackerJack]

@@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160 yeah I suppose you're right about that . I guess I don't think about people doing that nowadays because of what these damned cars are going for now , but then some people have that kinda money

[@garrypritchard1658]

Do all American car designers have to be pissed when thay design these cars blood horrible looking thing and i love gm vehicles but most of them are Australian

[@dennisolsen4507]

Changed to an automatic? I've seen enough.

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Come on now it's still cool😁😎