1969 SS 396

Canada

Canada-built Chevelles for 1969 have some quirks one should be aware of. GM's production numbers for the various plants (including the Oshawa, ON. plant) does not show any production reported for Oshawa until January 1, 1969. The VIN sequencing for January through the end of July starts with 300001 just like the U.S. plants.

However, Oshawa was building 1969 Chevelles much earlier than January 1969. These early Chevelles, when optioned with the SS 396 option retained the M A L I B U emblems on the rear quarter panels but had all the SS 396 trim of their U.S. counterparts. Canada and the U.S. would often build Chevelles for one another when the need would arise. Canada would 'import' Chevelles it did not build in the Oshawa plant to meet needs such as El Caminos and station wagons. Canada would also 'import' certain high performance Chevelles that it did not produce locally such as the L78 and COPO Chevelles of 1969.

At least 11,323 (latest reported) 1969 Canadian Chevelles VIN sequence began with 100001. How many of these are SS optioned isn't known but at least four fit the criteria and more SS 396 optioned Chevelles in this span are known and documented. Currently the latest known shipping date is December 28, 1968.

© Chevelle SS Guide
GM of Canada was even nice enough to put several RPO codes on their Fisher Body Number plates such as L35 and M40 on the SS 396.

If you have a 'suspect' SS 396 that was built in Oshawa, ON. you can, for a fee, send your VIN to Vintage Vehicle Services in Oshawa and they can supply you with documentation like that above with all the information for your Chevelle. If your Chevelle was built in the U.S. and 'imported' into Canada for sale by a Canadian dealer, the same option is available. Note the above documentation states, "NUMBER PRODUCED FOR SALE IN CANADA."

© Chevelle SS Guide
This 1969 SS 396 was equipped with the L78 375-hp engine and had to be 'imported' into Canada for the dealer. Note it states, "Number Imported For Sale In Canada." Also note this Chevelle was built at the Baltimore, MD. assembly plant and shipped to the Canadian dealer, Jack Carter Chev Olds Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.