1969 SS 396/350 Chevelle
 

Hi guys. I thought I might throw up my latest addition.
Its a real 396/350 SS that I bought out of CT. The car was restored by Nick Lewis out of GA around 2005/6. It comes with the POP, dealer invoice and a buildsheet. It is the original cortez silver, black vinyl top, black bucket interior combo as per the trim tag, and is a M21 and 3.55 posi car. After talking to Nick about the car prior to purchase, he believes it has the original motor in it that has had a larger cam and some other parts and pieces that he likes, installed. It is currently sitting in Jersey ready to be shipped back to Australia.
I have had a few cars in the past but have been looking for a real, documented SS 69 for a little while now and I'm sure I will be very happy with it once I get it back to Australia.

Thanks, Damien.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psf3d76833.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps86ece63d.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20da217d.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcab4359.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

It must cost a fortune to ship a car to Australia.

Any pics?

Ryan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Sorry Ryan, took me a few minutes to work out I needed the pics in photobucket! Sorted now.
Yes it can be expensive. I usually ship out of Ca, which is certainly cheaper than NJ. Depending on whether you do it yourself or pay someone it can cost you anywhere from the low 2k's to an all in service from some over here that do it regularly that can run you up to 3.5k. This is plus 10% tax on the cost of the car.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Nice looking Chevelle!

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

I know the car and I know Nick Lewis..... Nick has a knack of restoring nice Chevelles. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

Enjoy [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Great car MATE [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Ryan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Thanks guys, appreciate the kind words.
Dan, that is reassuring that you know Nick and also the car. I have seen your restorations both on here and TC and they are works of art.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Hi Damien.
Nice Chevelle!... check you PM mate

cheers Dave

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Silver '69! Nice! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

<span style="font-size: 17pt">Congrats Damien, she looks sharp!</span>

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Is there specialized shipping companies in nj that ship to Aus.? I'm from there and dont recall any of our cars going to Aus. I know out here in Cali there are companies like California shipping. Just curious ... Thats one sexy chevelle ... congrats and good luck with her

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

I dropped off a 69 RS/SS Camaro at the terminal in Long Beach this summer. The warehouse was packed with muscle cars, boats, motorcycles etc, all on their way out of the US, it was huge and it was completely filled. There were overflow cars outside, nice cars at that.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 6pakdave</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hi Damien.
Nice Chevelle!... check you PM mate

cheers Dave </div></div>

Thanks mate.
Sent you a PM.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Well after what seems an eternity, I am less than 2 weeks away from receiving my Chevelle!
It sat in Jersey for 9 weeks before leaving. Can't wait to finally get it. (And take those 15&quot; wheels off!)

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psb7389dae.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

You`ll be cruising her very soon [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

My sYc friends, I am in search for a set of original SS Wheels for this Chevelle. This 1969 SS396 is a late built Chevelle....built on 08B.....I need a complete original set of YA dated SS Wheels.

I will be attending the NOCC (in Ohio) on August 2nd and 3rd. Anyone has a set for me, we can meet there.

Thank you,
Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Thanks Dan.
Looking forward to those redlines as well! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Well bad news. Found out today that the ship got delayed in China and will be 3 weeks late!
should arrive August 5 now, as long as it doesn't sink somewhere inbetween. Don't think I'll be shipping out of NY again. Give me Long Beach any day!

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Well, at least you`ll be 3 weeks closer to summer [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Well after 4 1/2 months, it finally arrived!

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psbb277950.jpg

It's been a long haul, but one that has been worthwhile. I am very happy with the quality of the restoration and it is the nicest car that I have imported yet. Like always there are a couple of things I will be doing, and that has already began by swapping out the 15&quot; wheels and tires (which I managed to sell in an hour of advertising, rather be lucky than good as they say!), for my 14&quot; set, the battery is shot which is to be expected, and a couple of other minor things. So a busy few weeks coming with a thorough clean up from the trip and some registration in preparation for our spring and summer. Some better pics to come.
Hey Dan, the interior cleaned up real nice and we are very happy with it and it turns out the 15&quot; wheels had deep caps on them so needless to say I swapped them out onto the 14's. I'd say they are repros, but a nice surprise all the same. Now I have 2 sets!

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psb4b96dff.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Wow...nice Chevelle!!!

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Thanks Bruce.
Well, spent a couple of hours giving it a good wash inside and out, then out for it's maiden Oz voyage.
Drives real nice, could do with some stiffer shocks in the rear though. Will go in for a rear spring change shortly to lower the rear some, so I will change the shocks at the same time. Next week it will have a roadworthy certificate done, then off for registration and we can hit the road.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Great news.

Must be tough waiting for a car like this in transit.

Best wishes for the maiden voyage.

Ryan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

Two sets of center caps just means....soon you`ll have another car arriving....this time shipping from the West [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

The Chevelle is Beautiful.....all your Mates will be impressed [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

Good idea in lowering the rear. Take some good pictures of the car.....and with you next to the car.

I am content that your are happy with your new '69 Chevelle.

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Thanks Ryan, all went well. As I said earlier it is really soft in the rear suspension so that will need some attention, and a bit of a tune. The guy I bought it off used to run a bit of an av gas mixture, for what ever reason, so it needs a little timing adjustment and a couple of small things.

Here ya go, Dan. The cat that ate the canary!

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44544088.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34c77718.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2458a568.jpg

Now has a standard steering wheel, as per the buildsheet. Just waiting for a new '69 centre badge.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a2e966e.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Ok, after a bit of suspension investigation, it turns out my car has no hop bars fitted. I have absolutely no experience with these, I understand what they do, but have a couple of questions if anyone can answer;
Is there any effect on ride height?
Perhaps this is why the rear suspension is so soft?
Can I just remove these, replace the bushes and re connect the top trailing arms?
Should I leave them in, lower the rear and stiffen up the suspension? (I must say I would rather lose them and take it back to stock!)
Any info on this would be appreciated.
Thanks.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5d5ff643.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

As far as I know......

They don't affect ride height.

They are a bolt on so they should easliy go away after replacing upper bushings.

I hope they aren't the style that requires holes drilled in the rear end case?

There is my 2 cents.

Ryan

PS: Great pictures.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

Great pictures.....Thanks.

The bet the lower ears of your rear end are indeed drilled.....I have a set of these on one of my Chevelles.

They do raise the car a bit....If you do want that Chevelle stock height.....I would remove them.

What is your son`s name?

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Thanks for the help, guys.
Dan, my son's name is Joel.
If the rear end has been drilled out, I would say I could have a poly bush machined up to return the arms to the stock location?

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

They are drilled at the webbing of the rear end, no machining required. You can easily weld up the holes, no worries Mate [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Joel is a Cool Dude! Thanks for the pictures.

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Dan, how will these bars affect handling as far as cornering. They dont look like they would be great for lateral movement?

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Damien</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dan, how will these bars affect handling as far as cornering. They dont look like they would be great for lateral movement? </div></div>

They were never intended to help in lateral movement.....it your looking for something a more aggressive suspension. I highly recommend Detroit Speed.

http://www.detroitspeed.com/1964-197...sion-pg-1.html

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

The car goes to the suspension shop tomorrow and they will come out. They will machine a bush if the rear end has been drilled out and back to standard we go. Don't have a hoist or I would do it myself.

Sorry Dan, just read your post again that tells me it is drilled thru the webbing not the top trailing arm mount. Makes it easier.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Great, good luck....keep us posted [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Will do. Thanks again.

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Just back from the suspension shop today. Car looks great and in proportion now. I'm pleased to say the no hop bars are gone and we ended up replacing all the shocks, the drivers side rear was totally shot which would explain the spongyness in the rear, rear springs to lower the rear about 2&quot; and put in new Moogs upper trailing arm bushes. It now drives the way it should and has that tough, nose slightly in the air, Chevelle stance. I should have in a few weeks, my new redline radials from Diamond Back Classics, thanks Dan, and the look will hopefully be complete.
Got stuck in a little drizzle on the way home so I didn't have a decent photo op as I was too busy trying to get it out of the weather, so will have some better shots to come.

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...psf951bf07.jpg

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...ps77caf3cb.jpg

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Nice stance.

Can't wait to see her with new treads.

Ryan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

Damien,

She looks great! Well done [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Postsedan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Damien,

She looks great! Well done [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Dan </div></div>

Ditto that. The car looks fantastic.

Phil Woj

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

----I know its a small thing, but Im a sucker for a rear antenna. Just seems so classy!......Bill S

Re: '69 Chevelle
 

My favorite external option on a 69 are bumperettes, rear antenna is a close second.

Ryan