1969 300 Deluxe Hardtop

[combinefixer]

Originally Posted by Bill Pritchard

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

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

[Keith Tedford]

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.

[Bill Pritchard]

Originally Posted by combinefixer

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

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.