1969 SS 396
The SS 396 option itself
The SS 396 option included several items that were unique to the option and several items that could be ordered on almost any other Malibu or 300 Deluxe.
For sport coupes, and convertibles, the SS 396 included the 325 hp Turbo-Jet 396 cid engine with bright accents (air cleaner lid and rocker arm covers), power disc brakes, floor mounted special heavy duty 3-speed manual transmission, dual exhausts, black painted grille and rear panel, wheel opening moldings, special hood ornamentation, heavy duty suspension, 14" x 7" sport wheels with F70-14 white lettered tires, and special SS 396 emblems.
The 13427 series Chevelle 300 Deluxe coupe is often referred to as a 2-door post, “pillared” coupe, or 2-door sedan due to the “B” pillar between the front door glass and rear quarter glass as opposed to the 300 Deluxe and Malibu sport coupe, or hardtop without the “B” pillar. Chevrolet changed the designation of the 2-door sedan to “coupe” in 1968 along with the body style designation change from “11” to “27.”
Photo courtesy Regan Weatherly - 300 Deluxe sport coupe
Photo courtesy Bob Mandabach - 300 Deluxe coupe
RPO B90 - Door Window Frame Molding
The 300 Deluxe also included rear panel moldings and 'Malibu-style' tail lamps but did not include the Hide-A-Way wipers that were still an option on the 300 Deluxe.
For Custom El Caminos with the SS 396 option, the same features as the sport coupe and convertibles, with the exception of the rear tailgate that replaced the Malibu series Custom El Camino's wood-grain insert with a black-painted panel and SS 396 emblem.
Rear Sway Bar - RPO F41
For 1969, RPO F41 was a new option and NOT part of the Z15 SS 396 equipment option. RPO F41 special heavy duty suspension and rear sway bar could only be ordered with the SS 396 option at a cost of $29.50 and only 722 buyers opted for it. The El Camino could not be ordered with the F41 option due to the standard rear air shock absorbers that were standard on all El Caminos.
