December 1969 SS396 300 Deluxe photos - Page 6

**markinnaples** · #51 10-25-2008, 06:52 PM

What is the difference between Chevelle SS396 and Malibu/300 tail light bezels??

camarojoe · #52 10-25-2008, 06:58 PM

Certainly not an expert, but I believe the SS396 and Malibu taillight bezels are the same, 300 bezels are different, and are thinner, with no black painted area around the perimeter. An SS396 with 300 trim would still get the bezels with the black paint, a plain 300 would not. Right? What about the front? I'm pretty sure an SS got the same grill treatment with all the moldings, etc. regardless of if it was a 300 or not. Same goes for the wheels, wheel lip moldings, emblems, etc...

So basically, The only difference visually between a 300 hardtop (non-post sedan) SS396 would be the cheapo interior in the 300, right?

Keith Tedford · #53 10-25-2008, 07:23 PM

As you can see from the above pictures, the exterior trim is exactly the same as a Malibu SS396 except for the non-recessed wipers. I think that the recessed were an option but don't quote me on that. On the interior you get the 300 Deluxe seats, rubber mat, short sun visors, and 300 Deluxe door pads with the little Chevelle emblem. I think that the 300 Deluxe headliner may have a different pattern too. Ours has the SS396 trim above the glove box and the SS steering wheel emblem. These cars definitely stir up conversations at shows as most people don't even know that they exist. I have some shots of our 300 Deluxe car on Webshots if you do a search there. There is one picture of our car with two other 300 Deluxe SS cars. http://rides.webshots.com/album/560001407BJbiIt

Jeff H · #54 10-25-2008, 07:24 PM

Great pictures! Sure looks like the master cylinder was painted black as well. I always wondered if any of them were really painted vs natural cast.

SD 396 · #55 10-25-2008, 07:42 PM

No side stripe on this car either. Forgive my ignorance on this one guys.

**mockingbird812** · #56 10-25-2008, 07:45 PM

I had noticed that my door plungers for the overhead light were not there and had a black putty plugging the hole. I asked the original owner and he stated that there never were any plungers there to begin with. Overhead light is manually turned on my rotating the headlight switch to its detent.

Also, the rearview mirror base is different as it does not have the recesses to receive the sun visor posts. It surprises me that they would manufacture a totally separate mirror base vs. just using the standard Malibu mirror base.

**chevelleheart** · #57 10-25-2008, 07:56 PM

Love the info !!!! Great Pics !!!!

**SS427** · #58 10-25-2008, 07:57 PM

Thanks for posting the shots Rick. I will never get bored looking at original photos from back in the day.

Regarding the by-pass overspray (and any other engine overspray for that matter), it is a known fact that engines received the overspray. Due to the fact that it was an assembly line process it could easily go from none to lots one engine after the other. Regardless, great shots of the car.

Z28DL · #59 10-25-2008, 08:41 PM

Dan,
You must feel like you died and went to heaven with all of this 300 Deluxe stuff going on! Nice to see these cars getting some well deserved exposure.
Later Buddy,
Dave L.
SoCal

Postsedan · #60 10-26-2008, 01:15 AM

Dave,

I knew it was just a matter of time before these rare 69 Chevelles would recieve there deserving recognition

Dan.

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.