1969 SS 396

The 1969 Z25-optioned Chevelles continued the theme of a blacked out grille with minimal brightwork along with a blacked out rear panel. The Z25-optioned sedan pickup also featured a blacked-out section on the tailgate between the two horizontal bright trim pieces with a centered SS 396 emblem.

The Z25-optioned Malibu series sport coupe, convertible, and sedan pickup removed the full length body moulding trim and Argent Silver accent below this trim. Centered on the blacked-out rear panel and the blacked-out grille is an SS 396 emblem. All Z15-optioned Malibus also got a different moulding unit for the grille extension since it was shorter than non-SS optioned Malibus and the moulding trim did not extend down the front fender and running the body length to the rear bumper.

The Z25-optioned 300 Deluxe received the same external trim as the Z25-optioned Malibus. Some modifications were made to a 300 Deluxe trim-wise. The standard 300 Deluxe tail lamp bezel was replaced with a Malibu-style unit and mouldings were added to the rear panel between the tail lamp housings. Internally the mouldings were known as RPO B95 REAR END PANEL MOULDING and the tail lamps and bezels as RPO T93 LAMPS: TAIL & STOP (SPECIAL) but neither were really user-available options to order. The Malibu-style tail lamp/bezel T93 and RPO B95 were used on both the 300 Deluxe coupe (13427 model) and the 300 Deluxe sport coupe (13437 model).

© Chevelle SS Guide

With the 300 Deluxe sport coupe and SS 396 option, it's very difficult to tell this isn't a Malibu sport coupe without looking at the interior.

© Chevelle SS Guide
The Z25 option hood was very similar to the 1968 SS 396 Chevelle hood with two bulges for simulated air intake.

© Chevelle SS Guide
RPO D96 “Wide Paint Stripe” was optional on all five Z25 body styles/series. The stripes run along the upper belt line to the rear tail lamp with a wide center section outlined by two narrower bands. The D96 option box was checked off 37,280 times at a cost of $29.35 by the 86,307 SS Equipment option buyers; only about 11% of them.

SS 396 Side Stripe Color Matrix
Exterior Color	All Except Convertible	Black Convertible Top	White Convertible Top
10 - Tuxedo Black	White (a)	White	White
40 - Butternut Yellow	Black	Black	Black
50 - Dover White	Black (b)(c)	Black	Black
51 - Dusk Blue	White	White	White
52 - Garnet Red	Black	Black	Black
53 - Glacier Blue	Black	Black	White
55 - Azure Turquoise	Black	Black	White
57 - Fathom Green	White	White	White
59 - Frost Lime	Black	Black	White
61 - Burnished Brown	White	White	White
63 - Champagne	Black	Black	White
65 - Olympic Gold	Black	Black	White
67 - Burgundy	Red	Red	White
69 - Cortez Silver	Black (c)	Black	White
71 - LeMans Blue	White	Black	White
72 - Hugger Orange	White	Black	White
76 - Daytona Yellow	Black	Black	Black

(a) - red with black or red interior (b) - bright blue with blue interior (c) - red with red interior

© Chevelle SS Guide
This is a non SS 396-optioned 300 Deluxe. Note lack of trim in the cove and 'plain' tail lamp bezels.

This is a 300 Deluxe coupe (13427) SS 396 clone; note tail lamp bezels are the same as the non SS 396-optioned 300 Deluxe in the above photo even though it has the blacked out cove, SS 396 emblem and cove trim.

© Chevelle SS Guide
This is a non SS 396-optioned Malibu sport coupe.

This is an SS 396-optioned Malibu; same tail lamps as the non SS 396-optioned Malibu sport coupe above.

A true SS 396-optioned 300 Deluxe coupe.

© Chevelle SS Guide
The SS 396 El Camino has the area between the tailgate/quarter panel trim blacked-out with centered "SS396" emblem.