Enthusiasts today love the midsize 1968-1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, and so did writers and road testers back in the day. In 1968, Car Life said, “We are, of course, aware of the 12-second potential of the Chevelle SS 396 when fully prepared for strictly drag racing.” Motor Trend, in 1969, stated, “It has the mellowest roar we’ve heard since our last flathead Ford with dual Smithies and that was a few years ago.”
Like many collectible automobiles, the Chevelle is popular because it’s a good, all-around car. Chevelle sedans and wagons carried many American families to their jobs and vacation destinations. Chevelle hardtops and convertibles appealed to men and women with a taste for sportier transportation. In 1965, Chevy brought out the SS 396 — a machine that could blow other cars’ doors off. In 1969, you could still get an SS 396 Chevelle, and through Chevrolet’s COPO program, a 427-powered Chevelle was even possible.
