Unbiased views on Chevelle SS

[Dave6T4]

cool is cool..... I'd rock any of them


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I really like that 1966 SS396! Our equivalent Chevelle in Canada was the Malibu SS, with the optional 396. 1966 BB Canadian Chevelles did not get that sexy scooped hood, either. That did not show up until 1967 on BB
cars, up here.
For something really different, search out a 1966-1968 Canadian Pontiac Beaumont. It is basically a Chevelle, with "Pontiac-ized" split front grille, and GTO interior. However, the powertrain was all Chevy. The SS equivalent was the SD, for Sport Deluxe. We Mopar guys said SD stood for Suck Dout! LOL

 

[Runcharger]

I like the 69 Chevelles alright. the L78s were strong, the other 396's not so much but easier than a BBM to modify to make good power. I like the beefier 4 speeds, clutches, rear axles and better brakes of our mopars but we don't street race these cars anymore.
I like a 70 GTO or 442 more but thats just personal taste.
Way back when I had my first 67 GTX I was friends with a guy who had a nice 70 396 SS. It had all the stuff, gears, ladder bars, headers, intake. He took me for a ride and I couldnt be rude but I thought to myself "absolute dog" Some impressions never leave you. But my stock 3.23 GTX would have killed that pooch. Later I hunted down some crate motored LS7 Chevelles with my Hemi Challenger and they were no match either.

 

[Dave6T4]

A friend of mine inherited a 1968 W30 Oldsmobile 442 from his Dad, who bought it new. It looks like a new car, with only 27,000 miles, and all the original paperwork. It might be at MCACN next fall.
Another fellow I know has a 1968 Hurst/Olds, with a factory 455. It is really rare, in that it is a pillared coupe instead of hardtop. He says it is one of just 57 built.

 

[kiwigtx]

I might buy one and paint the engine bay body color
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You rebel you.

 

[SteveSS]

I recently owned a '71 Chevelle station wagon 454. It was nice but not very powerful. I didn't know much about where the motor came from. I like Chevelles, GTOs. Buick GSs. I test drove a red '69 SS 396 4-speed back in the day. It was wicked fast. I've heard you can tell real SSs in 70 and 71 by the heater hose configuration on the firewall. Speaking of 454s I bought a 454 with closed chambered heads, just to get the guy to sell me the '66 Corvette, if anyone needs one. A couple of 327s too.

I was reading some numbers last night and the Chevelle LS6 lost quite a bit in '25

 

[66 Sat]

For something really different, search out a 1966-1968 Canadian Pontiac Beaumont. It is basically a Chevelle, with "Pontiac-ized" split front grille, and GTO interior. However, the powertrain was all Chevy. The SS equivalent was the SD, for Sport Deluxe. We Mopar guys said SD stood for Suck Dout! LOL

I read about the Pontiac Beaumont Cheetah in a Musclecar Review issue I have attached home. Looks good, 427 L72, 450hp.

 

[Photon440]

My dad had a Chevelle Malibu, 350 auto.

I didn't find it very exciting, didn't like the styling. If it was an SS, I wouldn't have thought any better of it. A few years later, he gave it to me. It was comfortable and smooth, never exciting.

 

[kiwigtx]

I like the coil springs at the rear;

You must have loved the Ford Mark 3 Cortina then.

 

[70ChargerRT]

After being raised up on Chevys and seeing them pollute the streets on every beautiful weekend at home when I was a kid there was just some kind of aura that hit me every time I saw that rare unicorn on the streets (Mopar). Now looking back 20+ years when I bought my 1st Mopar, the Charger I have now I’ll never own nothing else brand wise. The last cruise in I went to they were 9 Chevelles, 7 Camaros, 7 Tri 5.s, 6 Impalas, 5 Vettes, 3 Novas and only 2 Mopars. I know im missing some more Chevys lol. I like my boys all original 83 Monte Carlo SS we got him and it pulls a good crowd but I’ll never try to talk him in to owning a certain brand. That’s what he likes and Im happy that he likes cars period. There’s nothing wrong with owning various brands but me personally I never will anymore.

 

[F4R/T]

Some will argue but I’ll say the call them flexible fliers , Chevy build quality is no different than others just different , the ride maybe softer because coils spring suspension but it all boils down to what you want and what you like.

 

[copper67sat]

My (mostly) first car was grandma's hand-me-down 71 Malibu 2d hdtp - parents owned it, I drove and maintained it. Nothing too special - 307/TH350, bench seat, radio delete. First engine I ever rebuilt. I really liked the car and had visions of turning it into an SS clone though I prefer the look of the 70 over the 71-72.

Unfortunately, it was totaled when we got hit head-on by a drunk driver St. Pat's 1985.

I was looking for another when my Satellite found me. Been Mopar ever since.

 

[b-body-bob]

When I first started driving there was a 68 4-speed big block for sale, and the guy worked with my Pa. I remember a discussion at the dinner table about the 4.56 gears. I got to go for a ride in it, but it wasn't for sale to me. The next thing I knew, I had a 70 road runner and it's been that way since.

IMO a 68 chevelle is one of the best looking muscle cars, IF they are set up right. Most were not around here.

 

[JackR]

I’ve had a couple chevelles. 69 SS 396 and 70 LS5 454 They look and drive great. Also had a 70 Monte Carlo SS 454 which was a sort of chevelle.
But were what always seemed big. So still have my 67 camaro 6.0 LS

 

[Pedalpusher]

My first car in 79, 69 Chevelle. Had cash to pay for it, decided to go to the bank where my father banked. Needed to build some credit, I had just turned 16. Talked to the president of bank, his name was Richard, he had that Jimmy Stewart look about him. Told Richard I need to build some credit, need $750, need a car to work. Richard replied well……. we will need your father to co-sign. My first business dealing. I pulled my big boy pants up high & said Richard, I guess you don’t trust me, I think I will get my credit somewhere else. Anyhow, I walked out with a payment booklet, leather bound 4”x5”. I had a grin from east coast to west coast. I paid it off in 11 months & shook Richard’s hand.
Anyhow, guess I’m partial to the 69. You just don’t see that many anymore. Best of luck on your venture.
Ron

 

[6PKRTSE]

My Bro-in-law has a triple green 69 Chevelle. I like that car. One of my favorite Chevy's is a 70 Chevelle SS. I would not mind owning one someday myself. My buddy has also been looking for a 70 Chevelle SS for years to purchase. He has the money to spend, but is too cheap to spend it. Apparently, he thinks he can take it all the money with him someday when his time is up.

 

[oldchevelle541]

Yes this is a Mopar forum but I actually think it's the best place to ask the question.

I'm thinking of buying another car in the future (as well as my Satellite), and have always liked Chevelles, probably a 1970 or 1971 but I'd consider a '68 or '69 too.

For those of you who were around in the late 60's and early 70's, what were these cars like back in the day? If I asked a Chevy Forum I'd just get a load of biased "they're the greatest cars on earth" but I wonder what is the real story? Were they considered good cars when new or when the street racing scene was happening? Strong cars? Good handling? Good quality? ETC

Please no "Chevy crap" comments unless that's the truth and is backed up with some experience / examples. I'd like to hear the good and the bad.

I'm thinking a 396 or 454 SS, 4 speed.
Thanks.

They were good cars but prices are climbing on these especially on the big block cars. You must find a numbers matching Chevelle with authentic factory documentation in original condition. Too much aftermarket stuff is not good. Headers is not preferred. A Canadian built Chevelle is the best because GM of Canada kept all of their records. I still have mine since high school and it will stay in the family hopefully even after I am gone. They have good frames and are easy to work on. Parts are readily available.