Here’s How Much A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Is Worth Today

Summary

• The ’69 Chevrolet Chevelle market offers a wide array of engine options with prices ranging from $40,000 to $90,000 depending on condition.
• Rarity is a factor that determines value for the ’69 Chevelle, with some models reaching upwards of $300,000 for highly original examples.
• Big-block and COPO Chevelles are highly sought after by collectors, with some examples fetching $150,000 to $200,000 due to their rarity and performance capabilities.

Classic American Muscle cars are some of the most desired models to come from the American car scene. A representation of freedom and affordable performance, these pavement-crushing, yet practical vehicles are the stuff of dreams for many enthusiasts. The Muscle car scene is immense, not just in the USA, but also across the pond. American carmakers in the 1960s have given us plenty of automotive heroes, but when it comes to the top-performing American Muscle cars, one of the first nameplates to come to mind is the Chevrolet Chevelle.

Sadly, the car’s popularity has made the best examples out of reach for most. While the 1970 Chevelle is the most sought-after, mostly due to the introduction of the 454 Big Block, people are starting to warm up to the more affordable 1969 Chevelle. Luckily, there are plenty of examples to choose from and prices are all over the place. Here’s what the current state of the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle market is today.

We did thorough research on the current prices for the 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, by searching specialized sites like Hemmings, Classic.com, Hagerty.com, and various auction sites to trace the price fluctuations for the ’69 Chevelle.

How Much Does A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Cost?

The price of a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle is greatly dependent on a couple of factors. While condition is the main factor to consider with any used car, it is the authenticity that best determines the value of a classic Muscle car. The ’69 Chevelle with its wide array of engine options is no exception as highly original examples, even ones equipped with a factory, 350 small-blocks, currently go for around $40,000. At the same time, 396 Chevelles dip well into the $60,000 to $90,000 range. This also includes tastefully modified examples or tribute cars that didn’t start out as an SS 396 Chevelle.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 Valuation Highlights

(Source: Hagerty)

Rarity is another factor that determines value, and the 1969 Chevy Chevelle is a bit of a paradox. According to Hemmings.com out of the 455,000 Chevelles produced in 1969, over 367,000 were the Malibu sports coupe and less than 9,000 examples were convertibles. The majority of these cars came with a factory V-8, leaving less than 15,000 units equipped with the factory 230 and 250 cubic-inch Turbo-Thrift inline-six engines.

Despite the Chevelle’s impressive production figures, Classic.com shows the current average value of a ’69 Chevelle to be $59,161. At the time of writing this article, the lowest sale price for a 1969 Chevy Chevelle was $14,000, and the highest – $275,000, which is still a bargain compared to what a concourse-condition, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 454SS would set you back.

The Most Valuable 1969 Chevelle

While the 1970 Chevelle 454 was the definitive Chevelle, 1969 had its own star – the COPO Chevelle. The Central Office Purchase Order was meant for special orders for fleet vehicles (such as Police interceptors). Essentially, it’s how you got special hardware that, typically, wasn’t available off the showroom floors. While the COPO Camaro is the most iconic Chevy Muscle car to boast the program’s special goodies, the 1969 COPO Chevelle was a lesser-known Muscle car.

Just 323 units were produced from the special, mid-size Muscle car, Sports Car Market gives a slightly higher number of 358. It came with a 427 Big-block mated to either an M22 “Rock Crusher” four-speed manual or a three-speed Turbo 400 automatic. The COPO Chevelle also came with a KQ-code 12-bolt Posi-traction rear end.

The 427 Big-block was an L72 (not the Corvette’s L88) and was rated at 425 horsepower. According to Sports Car Market, the average value of a 1969 COPO Chevelle is $135,000 for a restored automatic and $150,000 for a great M22 manual-equipped car. Highly-original examples of the ’69 COPO Chevelle would set you back over $300,000.

The SS396 Was The Baddest 1969 Chevelle You Could Get

Before the mighty 454, there was the 396. This was the first Big-block V-8 put in a Chevelle and also the range-topping engine for 1969. Depending on how you optioned your Chevelle SS396 back in 1969, it would have come from anywhere between 325 and 375 horsepower and up to 415 pound-feet of torque. Good examples of the 1969 SS396 Chevelle can be seen anywhere from $59,000 to over $100,000, depending on condition. Many of the 69’ Chevelles, however, have been tastefully modified or resto-modded.

1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Performance Specifications

This, however, doesn’t seem to greatly affect the car’s market value as a whole. Chevelles in highly original and/or survivor condition are few and far in-between, and command a premium, typically in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, with very few making it closer to $200,000.

How To Retain The Value On A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle?

Depending on what your car goals are, you can go a few different routes when purchasing a 1969 Chevelle. Collectors will, naturally, gravitate towards the rarer models with emphasis on more pristine examples. Modifying a classic Muscle car would, typically, hurt its value, but there are exceptions. Your mass-produced 327 or 350 factory Chevelles are not as valuable.

This goes double for the much less-desirable inline-six Chevelles if you can find any. Those are your project cars and there’s plenty you can do to make them better and faster. Tasteful modifications tend to add value. The opposite is true for the Big-block cars, more specifically, the very rare, COPO, Yenko, Baldwin Motion, and SS454 examples, some of which are extremely hard to come by, and constantly eyed by collectors.

Is A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle A Good Investment?

If you are a Muscle car enthusiast, it’s always a good idea to invest in one of the most iconic American Muscle cars. Reasonably priced V-8 Chevelle examples are still relatively easy to come by. Moreover, the Chevy Chevelle benefits from vast aftermarket support and an enormous community, dedicated to keeping as many of these cars on the road as possible. There is a whole bunch of them, including the Carolina Chevelle Association, Chevelle US, Team Chevelle, and others.

Big-block Chevelles fetch a premium and for a good reason, especially when kept or restored to factory specifications, or tastefully modified. The 350 Small-block Chevelles are, currently, the sweet spot between great affordability and performance potential. Small-block V-8 Chevelles are also a great basis for custom builds, which is why we see many tastefully modified or completely reimagined builds based on the ’69 Chevelle.