The year was 1969, sixty five airplanes were hijacked, Neil Armstrong was the first human to walk on the moon, Richard Milhous Nixon was sworn in as the United States 37th president and as expected the 1969 Chevelle’s year old styling was just mildly tweaked. Body styling was very similar to the previous year with limited cosmetics to the nose and tail, with bumpers, grille, cove panel, and taillights redesigned to update the look. Also new for the 1969 Chevelle, was an expanded line of paint choices. After listing fifteen choices each year since 1964, Chevrolets color gurus decided to mix it up to seventeen.

The most noticeable change was the door glass used on the Chevelle Sport Coupes and convertibles. Side windows were now of the full length variety, no vent wings were used. Vent windows did, however remain on all other Chevelle models for 1969. These changes, although subtle, made for a more aggressive look.

1969 was a pivotal point in the history of the Chevelle SS. The 69 Chevelle SS was no longer a separate model, but rather an option that could be ordered on any 2-door Chevelle body style. In previous years, the Super Sport was always based on the Malibu Sport Coupe or convertible, but in 1969 it was available as an option on the
300 Deluxe Sport Coupe and the 300 Deluxe Sedan. The Customer now had more choices than ever for ordering their new Chevelle SS. The Super Sport option was listed as RPO Z25 on the dealers order sheet.

The Chevelle SS for 1969 featured a “blacked out” grille and rear cove panel on which “stacked” SS 396 emblems were attached. Also new for 69, were bright SS 396 emblems located on both front fenders just behind the wheel openings. Most prominent among the additions made to the SS 396 standard equipment list for 1969 were power front disc brakes and a set of new SS five-spoke wheels. Chevelle SS 396’s produced late in the year received the infamous band-aid stripes as a dealer installed option. These stripes would not become a factory installed option until 1970.