1969 SS 396 Tribute Automatic

Description

A high-impact exterior that's been properly decked out to mirror its top tier inspiration combines with asphalt melting big block power and an array of top quality components to put this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Tribute in select company. Unlike so many classic muscle cars sporting upgraded engines under their hoods without the proper foundation to handle the output, this outstanding Chevy is no "step down on the pedal and hope for the best" proposition. It features upgrades from front to back that make it a great driver in all respects. The Hugger orange shade provides a bold appearance that's very much in keeping with its high-performance identity. The paint is looking strong, with a nice smooth texture, and a pair of black painted stripes running the lengths of its sides that are well-preserved and add a nice bit of detail. Chevelles underwent a fairly major redesign just a year before this '69 came out, and its sharp looking exterior fittings do its second generation form proud. The front grille - with its signature pair of dual headlights and horizontal bar bearing a sharp-looking "SS" badge - looks great, really popping against its orange background, and the bumpers both fore and aft, as well as the side mirrors, present very well. Clear glass surrounds the cabin, with weatherstripping that's still very much up to the task of keeping the elements at bay. The very clean black vinyl interior mixes factory and aftermarket features to great effect, providing an outstanding classic driving environment. Both the wide-backed front buckets - with their upgraded 3-point safety belts - as well as the rear bench seats wear recently installed factory-style covers that show virtually no evidence of use as they loom over the expanse of black carpeting. The center console is also in fine condition, sporting a signature "staple" shifter that looks as if few hands have had occasion to grip it. The dash area offers clean looking factory gauges that are accompanied by an aftermarket AutoMeter tach mounted on the steering column, as well as an additional trio of aftermarket gauges located just a bit below. A Vintage Air system ably cools the cabin through factory installed vents for a nice, finished look. Audio options are plentiful - in addition to the usual AM/FM capability, a multi-CD changer sits securely in the well-detailed trunk, plus you can plug your iPod right in if you so choose. If you subscribe to the notion that "there's no replacement for displacement", as so many of us do, then you'll find that the big block dynamo sitting under the hood is absolutely irreplaceable. It's a monster of a powerplant that came into being by starting with a 454 cubic inch JEGS crate engine, then boring it out to 496 cubic inches before adding a dizzying array of top tier components, including an Edelbrock RPM intake manifold, MSD ignition and a FAST EFI system for quick starts and adjustability. The result is a full 525 horsepower and 625 lb. ft of torque, to offer an example on the effects of G-forces while still running uncomplainingly on pump gas. The powerplant pairs well with a 4-speed TCi-2004R whose overdrive gear comes in handy at highway speeds. Heavy duty sway bars have been added in both front and back and a number of suspension components have been upgraded to provide this very well-equipped Chevelle with great street manners as it rockets forward on its 16" American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels, outfitted with Kumho Ecsta tires. If you're searching for a truly well-configured, high powered Chevy classic sporting high-impact looks, you have to check out this 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Tribute. Call today!