1969 300 Deluxe Hardtop
 

This car came with the M21 4 speed, 4.10 posi.

So the 300 deluxe option could be ordered on hardtop cars, was that just a different interior? Thanks for sharing.

Gregg

I'm confused. Isn't this a 69 300 Deluxe SS396?

https://i.postimg.cc/3xpxfN87/0.jpg

300 Deluxe is a model, you could get a post sedan or hardtop 300 Deluxe and get the SS396 package on both as well. 1969 Only

Ryan W31

They might have built less post cars back in the day, but the hardtop 300’s seem harder to find today.

“13427” vin is the Post Coupe 300

“13437” is the Sport Coupe 300

Here is my 13437 300 SS 396 car and PoP

Being a one-year-only offering that was none too popular when new, they can indeed be confusing today.

Im lucky enough to have a 13427 car, 4 speed , L78.

Now that is sweet. I need to see that one some time. :beers:

The 300 deluxe was its own separate series from the Malibu line. The 752 black bench seat interior had several variances. The main ones being the rubber floor mat, door panels and upholstery pattern.

300 hardtops still had the astro ventilation system.

Was it unpopular or unknown? I was -10 in 1969, so just asking for some historical perspective.

chevelleheart,

Did you add the passenger side mirror or was it optioned that way? Also, no antenna? No radio?

Black with the white accent stripe really pops!

Over the years, it seems many of the post cars I have seen came with the L78 engines, probably for racing. They were a few hundred pounds less in weight with less body twist when launched.
Friend of mine from school bought a Silver 300 coupe with L78/TH400 right after graduation. I don't recall if it had 3.73 or 4.10 gears.

He installed one of the first shift kits to come out and they had steel detent balls, which hammered the valve body out in short order. He swapped the kit back out and took it to the dealer. GM replaced the trans, but said they would not warranty it again.

Indeed! FWIW, some other (minor) differences included the 300 SS’s non-hidden windshield wipers and the center sun visor pivot points were not included (boy, that must have saved them a bunch of $$!! :hmmm: ). Also, not confirmed but, I believe that the 300 SS’s may not have had the trunk mat - anyone confirm this?

I believe that a lot of hardtop 300 SS’s went unnoticed because to the uninitiated they looked like a Malibu SS on the exterior. L78 engines were blown as these cars were known to be good for racing and documents like BS’s were rare in ‘69 to ID these cars for what they were.

I disagree that these cars were “a few hundred pounds” lighter. I think they were nominally lighter (IMO less than 100 lbs). The post cars would have less twist, but of course not true for the hardtops.

BTW, love, love, LOVE these rare sleepers!

Sam,

Grady and I have discussed the trunk mat issue with the 300s and I don't think we came to any solid conclusion. We thought maybe the SSs might have had them regardless since they came with most standard features. Maybe Dan knows. The 3 300s (non SSs) I have/had no trunk mats or remnants of trunk mats, but, that may have just been a coincidence?

It would be nice to know.

300 Deluxe SS396
 

The 300 Deluxe SS396 got the SS emblem in the steering wheel and in the trim above the glove box door. The rest of the interior was regular 300 Deluxe including the base rubber floor mat. The exterior was all SS396 trim.

My 300 Deluxe Post Sedan SS still has it’s original trunk mat. It wasn’t listed on any of the documents that I can see?

Cool data point. Nice docs. Tuff looking car. Did this have a 427 transplant? Cool that you have a build sheet. This must have been an Atlanta built car and I believe pretty rare to be found in ‘69. Thanks!!

I own a 300 hardtop that I bought thinking it was just a SS chevelle but soon got schooled from Mr Vasic about what it really was!

Late 70’s early 80’s race car. That’s been stashed in the back corner of my shop for over 20 years. I’ll get to it sooner or later.

Great thread!

The reason they are harder to find is because they are camouflaged by the owners that have no clue as to what they have....these owners need to be educated. Once they obtain these cars, (besides the engine)..... the first to go in these cars was then interiors and once they realize that there is no aftermarket interior parts available for these 300 Models.... they would simply order the Malibu Interior or worse upgrade to Bucket Seats (such a Sin) :(

You can spot one or two hardtops camouflaged on eBay on any given time. They are out there.... you just need to know what to
Look for :)

The 1969 300 Deluxe Post Sedan or Hardtop model is among my all time favorite Muscle Car of all....when you add the SS396 option they become iconic :)

Dan

Here is one that we just got back from the paint shop and are starting to reassemble.

Wow! Where did you find this one? Any original drivetrain left?

Just Neat... Would love to own a 69 sedan someday, Thanks for sharing!!

Gregg

Holland Motors
 

The L78 car that we fixed up in the late 1990's also came from John Holland Motors. Here is a picture that we took in front of Holland Motors show room and a Holland emblem that I saw on a Chevelle at a cruise night.

Doug , yours is almost identical to mine,….here’s my GM Docs too.
Plus my Olds 442 W30 Post car with the Chevelle Post…
The Evil Twins…

Sam, this was actually a Baltimore built car.

Yeah, the original owner dropped in a 427 back in the day. The car only has 26k miles, sits on 50 year old rubber, and still sports mostly original paint… not the hood, of course ;-]

Is the Olds formerly owned by Hodges?

Ryan W31

Got it from a member here Ryan , about 5-6 years ago, can’t recall his name

I guess you could say both. The Chevy Super Sport models (regardless of body style) prior to 1969 were always a top-of-the-line model with more upscale interior trimmings. So, when these 300 Deluxe models with the SS396 option came around to try and compete with the Plymouth Road Runner and Dodge Super Bee, many of the Chevy faithful were unimpressed and wanted to stick with what they were familiar with in the past, hence ordering or buying the Malibu-based SS396. As others have noted here, many of these 300 Deluxe models were ordered with the L78 (or even L89) engine, 4.10 rear axle, or other maximum performance equipment when your only interest was to go fast at the least cost. Others were ordered in the Road Runner/Super Bee concept, with the base 396 engine and minimal other options, so that a cost-conscious buyer could have the muscle car look and some performance at minimal cost. Whatever, the sales numbers were unimpressive so Chevy pulled the plug.

I remember one year at PSMCDR there was a red and black 70 442 W30 Sports Coupe, the black one sold a few years ago. (Originally Burnished Gold?)

Ryan W31

That’s the one Ryan

I’ll dig up some photos of the 2 Sports Coupe W30’s together at PSMCDR.

Yours is an M21, 3.91 car?

My 300 Deluxe Hardtop, paint code 65-50. Unfortunately not an L78 but is a 13437 vin L34 version.

L78M22Rag, my Baltimore car is very close to your Baltimore Vin. 553 cars apart so possibly the same day on the line.

Love the 65-50 paint scheme.

That is a very nice looking Chevelle!

Sharp!

This is very true…..TLC Restoration is near me and I’m good friends with the owner…..I received pictures of a ‘69 Chevelle, including the trim tag. No one noticed that it was a 300 hardtop. Even the owner had no clue…..so I’m sure it happens all the time.

A lot of people see my car (non L78) and automatically think it’s a ‘68 or they think it’s a ‘69 with ‘68 doors…..

Kurt