1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 6.5 396ci gas from North America
Summary:
Easily the best muscle car of all time
Faults:
Quadrajet has been a continual source of problems. My dad is the original owner and replaced it several times. The original Muncie shifter linkage is junk and has locked the tranny up on a regular basis. If you to race a car with a manual tranny, get the Hurst shifter and linkage. Also if your car has a big block and close to 100,000 miles, check the camshaft. Big Chevy's eat cams like crazy. Other than that the master cylinder was replaced at 70,000 miles, the radiator at 100,000 miles and the gas cap at 100,000 miles. These cars are totally durable, probably the best built of the muscle cars. I have no interior issues, suspension issues, and I have the original rear end and clutch still in it despite being drag raced on a regular basis. If you find one, watch for rust, these things are total rust buckets, I don't even get mine wet.
General Comments:
I think this is the best muscle car of all time. It has a very build able platform, big block or small block will fit without any modifications, SS's have convertable frames, the rear suspension is a four link. But remember that of the GM muscle cars, it is the most purpose built. The motors are made to rev and race, the bearings and camshafts won't last. Mine rides really bad and has a very low gear, which are not freeway friendly. Of all the big blocks I've had, the Chevy is the hardest to keep cool, it seems to get hot no matter what I do. And they are expensive! I've built Oldsmobiles and Buicks for way cheaper and they seemed to be way more street friendly. But if you are looking for a factory racer, there is none better. If you think there is then you either haven't done the research or you own another brand.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 25th June, 2002