1969 Chevrolet Chevelle
The Chevelle was Chevrolet’s entry into the “intermediate” segment, and was manufactured from 1964 through 1977. The 1964-’65 cars were very similar, likewise with the 1966-’67 models. 1968-’72 Chevelles are close in size and shape, and many parts over this 5 model year run are interchangeable. Although some of the sheet metal and trim changed over the years, 1973-’77 Chevelles are typically grouped into one “generation”. The 1977 model year spelt the end of the Chevelle nameplate, and the mid-size Chevrolet would continue on as Malibu.
“America’s Most Popular Mid-Sized Car”
The 1969 Chevelle carried the same new design from 1968 from the wheel base to the roofline. The body style featured a curvilinear design with long hood and fastback styling to a short deck. The nose featured a forward leading edge on the top accented by side trim that angles down toward the front wheel opening. A slight peak in the middle of the grille and the hooded headlight buckets gave the car a sinister look. The dual headlights frame the grille and sit comfortably between the bumper and hood.
New ride and handling features for 1968, continue in 1969, such as the “Full Coil Suspension” and one inch wider tires on all models. The 1968-69 Chevelle also sported two different wheelbase ratios. A sporty 112” wheelbase for coupes and convertibles, and 116” wheelbase for sedans and wagons was new for 1968-69.
Standard 6-cylinder versions were bumped up to 140 horsepower, and can be optioned up to 375 horsepower V8 (L-78 option available only through certain dealers). The 360hp SS396 was detuned to 350hp due to a new GM rule governing the horsepower allowances for all cars other than Corvette.
New for 1969 is the availability of the SS396 package for all Chevelle coupes and Malibu convertible for under $350.00. The equipment package includes either a 325 or 350hp Turbo-Jet 396 V8, power disc brakes, sport styled wheels, SS emblems, twin domed hood, and beefed up Full Coil Suspension.
The entry level 300 model had a b-pillar where the other models were hardtops. The 1968 and 1969 models are very similar in design with minor trim changes. The most significant change is the horizontal bar between the quad headlights and the tail lights change from ‘68’s featured short rectangular taillight fitting in the trim, where the ‘69’s are taller and roll up the quarter panels beside the trunk door edge.
About 503,000 1969 Chevelles were produced, including a SE 124 based steam powered concept vehicle fitted with a 50 hp Bresler steam engine in place of its gasoline engine.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1969 Chevelle Nomad Wagon
- Engine Options
- 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
- 250 cubic inch 155 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
- 307 cubic inch 200 horsepower V8 (base)
1969 Chevelle 300 Deluxe
- Body Styles
- 2 Door Coupe
- 2 Door Sport Coupe
- 4 Door Sedan
- 4 Door Greenbrier
- Engine Options
- 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
- 250 cubic inch 155 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
- 307 cubic inch 200 horsepower V8 (base)
1969 Chevelle Malibu
- Body Styles
- 4 Door Sedan
- 4 Door Sport Sedan
- 2 Door Sport Coupe
- 2 Door Convertible
- 4 door Concours
- Engine Options
- 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
- 250 cubic inch 155 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
- 307 cubic inch 200 horsepower V8 (base)
- 350 cubic inch 255 horsepower V8 (optional)
- 350 cubic inch 300 horsepower V8 (optional)
- 427 cubic inch 425 horsepower V8 (optional)
1969 Chevelle Malibu Concours Sport Sedan
- Engine Options
- 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
- 250 cubic inch 155 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
- 307 cubic inch 200 horsepower V8 (base)
- 350 cubic inch 255 horsepower V8 (optional)
- 350 cubic inch 300 horsepower V8 (optional)
1969 Chevelle Malibu Concours Estate Wagon
- Engine Options
- 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
- 250 cubic inch 155 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
- 307 cubic inch 200 horsepower V8 (base)
- 350 cubic inch 255 horsepower V8 (optional)
- 350 cubic inch 300 horsepower V8 (optional)
1969 Chevelle SS396 (Super Sport)
- Body Styles
- 2 door sport coupe
- 2 door sedan
- 2 door convertible
- Engine Options
- 396 cubic inch 325 horsepower V8 (base)
- 396 cubic inch 350 horsepower V8 (optional)
- 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V8 (optional)
1969 Chevelle VIN Decoder:
First Character: Division of General Motors
Second and Third Character: Series Designation *
- 31 ~ Nomad, 6-cylinder
- 32 ~ Nomad, 8-cylinder
- 33 ~ 300 Deluxe, Greenbrier, 6-cylinder
- 34 ~ 300 Deluxe, Greenbrier, 8-cylinder
- 35 ~ Malibu and Concours station wagon, 6-cylinder
- 36 ~ Malibu and Concours station wagon, 8-cylinder
- 38 ~ Concours Estate station wagon, 8-cylinder
Fourth and Fifth Character: Body Style/Model
- 27 ~ 2-door coupe
- 35 ~ 4-door station wagon, 2-seat, conventional tailgate
- 36 ~ 4-door station wagon, 2-seat, dual tailgate
- 37 ~ 2-door sport coupe
- 39 ~ 4-door sport sedan
- 46 ~ 4-door station wagon, 3-seat, dual tailgate
- 67 ~ 2-door convertible
- 69 ~ 4-door sedan
- 80 ~ 2-door sedan pickup
Sixth Character: Year of Production
Seventh Character: Final Assembly Plant
- A ~ Atlanta, Georgia
- B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
- G ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
- Z ~ Fremont, California
- K ~ Kansas City, Missouri
- 1 ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Eighth through Thirteenth Characters: Sequential Production Number
The sequential starting number for the 1969 Chevelle was 300001 at all Chevelle assembly plants. Each assembly plant sequenced Chevelles of all series/models without regard to specific series/models. For example, if a series 13435 station wagon followed a 13667 Malibu convertible, the sequence number would be one unit higher for the wagon. It's also entirely possible to have the same sequence number from all five 1969 U.S. assembly plants (six if you include Oshawa, Ontario) with the only difference between the VINs being the plant code.
At least 817 Oshawa-built early Chevelles have a starting sequence number of 100001. These were 1969 Chevelles built in Canada for sale in Canada. It is not known just when the sequence number of the 9,612 Chevelles built in Canada for sale in Canada changed to a 300001 format but all indications point to the beginning of the 1969 calendar year. Here are two early (September of 1968) SS396 Chevelles with sequence numbers of 1008xx and both happen to be SS396 optioned as well but note the M A L I B U script on the rear quarter panel.
Production at the Kansas City and Baltimore plants exceeded 100,000 units sometime in early June so the VIN sequence from that time frame to the end of production would be 2nnnnn for each plant.
The El Camino is not a separate series nameplate but rather a body style in both the 300 Deluxe (33/34) and Malibu (35/36) series although it's often listed as such. The base (33/34) El Camino Deluxe is a 2-dr sedan pickup body style with 300 Deluxe trim where the (35/36) El Camino Custom is a 2-dr sedan pickup body style with Malibu trim.
** No known convertibles or station wagons were built at Atlanta or Framingham in 1969.
Early Black Friday!