It would not be understating things to say that the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 is a desirable American muscle car. It has developed a legendary status in the classic car scene, combining impressive performance levels with stunning looks. The desirability ramps up a notch or two when the vehicle in question is a convertible filled to the brim with optional extras. If it sounds too good to be true, it isn’t. This 1969 SS 396 Convertible is all of those things, and it is a classic that needs a new home. Located in Riverton, New Jersey, you will find the Chevelle listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has soared to $60,600, although this remains short of the reserve. If you get to the end of this article and decide that it is a car that you simply must have, the seller offers a BIN option at $69,500.

I like this Chevelle, and the attraction stems from its subtle presentation. Dover White is a restrained shade, and unless you look carefully for the appropriate badges, this SS hides its light under a bushel. Its overall presentation is impressive for a vehicle of this age, but with the owner using the term “some” when describing the originality of the panels and paint, it suggests that the car may have been the recipient of restoration work at some point. There are no significant defects in the panels and paint and no evidence of rust. The White power top works as it should, but one photo shows what appears to be some stains. It could be a trick of the light, but an in-person inspection would clarify this. The chrome is in excellent condition, with no deterioration or missing components. The original owner loaded this Chevelle with plenty of extras, including tinted glass and sports wheels. As with the rest of the exterior, these items present beautifully.

If this Chevelle’s exterior presentation is subtle and restrained, its interior takes things to the other extreme. The original owner ordered the SS trimmed in Medium Red vinyl, and it is another aspect of the car that seems to need nothing. There is no appreciable wear on the upholstered surfaces and no evidence of abuse. The dash is unmolested, while the pad hasn’t surrendered to the rigors of the sun. The next owner won’t need to spend a dime inside this classic unless they decide to make aftermarket additions. As well as presenting nicely, it seems that the original owner was willing to spend a few dollars on optional extras. As well as a power top, the buyer will receive power windows, bucket seats, a console, a tilt wheel, a sports gauge cluster with a factory tach, and an AM radio with an optional rear speaker.

Sometimes it only takes a single tick of the box on an Order Form to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. That is what we find with our feature car. By ticking the box next to the “Z25” option for this Chevelle, the original owner allowed the vehicle to morph from competent family transport into something exceptionally desirable. Z25 brought the SS 396 package to the table, and with that 396ci V8 churning out 325hp, this Chevy can’t help but be a potent beast. A three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission that feeds the power to a 12-bolt rear end is bolted to the back of that big-block. The original owner’s decision to include power steering and power front disc brakes should make manhandling this classic an effortless affair. If you ever harbored any doubts about this vehicle’s muscle car credentials, a single glance at the performance figures should remove any lingering uncertainty. If the owner pointed the SS at a ¼ mile, it should storm through in 15.2 seconds. The seller says that this classic is numbers-matching, and the tidy engine bay is a precursor to more positive news. They say that the car runs and drives incredibly well, suggesting that the buyer won’t need to do anything beyond handing the seller their money. There’s also a significant collection of paperwork that the seller throws in. This includes the original Window Sticker, Protect-O-Plate, dealer documentation, and a pile of receipts for services and other work.

By 1969, change was in the wind for the American muscle car. Tightening emission and safety regulations would see vehicle weights balloon while horsepower figures dribbled away to depressing levels. It would take many years and millions of dollars in research and development for car companies to regain that lost ground, but they eventually succeeded in their quest. Modern performance cars are more refined, less cantankerous, and easier to live with as daily drivers. While all of these factors make a current vehicle look attractive, they don’t possess the raw-boned charisma of a classic muscle car. Life can be complex at times, and there can be nothing like going back to basics. That is the experience available for the next owner of this 1969 Chevelle SS 396 Convertible, and the bidding history so far indicates that a few people agree with that sentiment. Do you?