1969 · Chevrolet · United States
1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396: A Package, Not a Series, and No El Camino Split
SS 396 became RPO Z25 option equipment, orderable on the V8 Malibu El Camino (13680); the El Camino share of the 86,307 Z25s is not separately published.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
This record's own overview states that for 1969 SS 396 became RPO Z25 equipment rather than a series, orderable on the V8 Malibu El Camino, model 13680, among five eligible models across the Chevelle line. The reference reports 86,307 Z25 installations across all eligible models combined and gives no El Camino-specific split, so this record cannot say how many of those 86,307 cars were El Caminos rather than sport coupes or convertibles.1,1
This record's own key facts restate that Z25 was available specifically on the V8 Malibu El Camino, and its identification section is explicit that only that model, 13680, was Z25-eligible: a lower-series 13380 or 13480 El Camino, or the six-cylinder Malibu 13580, was never a factory SS 396 regardless of options fitted. A separate production-totals source gives 48,385 El Caminos built for 1969 across every trim and engine combination, a figure this record's key facts note matches the sum of the file's own body-scoped rows, while adding that the source itself marks El Camino SS with an asterisk, meaning it was an option on the Custom V8 model rather than a separately tabulated body style that year.1,2
This record's own production rows break that 48,385 total into four body-scoped counts: 39,000 V8 Malibu El Caminos (the Z25-eligible model), 785 six-cylinder Malibu El Caminos, 6,407 V8 lower-series El Caminos, and 2,193 six-cylinder lower-series El Caminos. Alongside those it carries the 86,307-unit Z25 line-wide installation figure as its own separate row, explicitly labeled not an El Camino count, so a reader cannot mistake the option-installation total for a body-style production total.1,1
This record's own prices section lists two 1969 figures, $2,706 for the V8 Malibu El Camino and $2,631 for the six-cylinder Malibu El Camino, both read from shipping-document-based list prices, with the source noting a second V8 figure of $2,723 also appears. Its engines section documents three 396s available with Z25, a 325-horsepower L35 standard, a 350-horsepower L34 optional, and a 375-horsepower L78 optional, alongside a 140-horsepower 230 six, a 155-horsepower L22 250 six, a 200-horsepower 307 V8 standard on the V8 models, a 250-horsepower L65 350, and a 300-horsepower L48 350.1,1
This record's own transmissions section documents a standard three-speed, a special three-speed coded MC1 that the source calls standard with the SS 396 engines on the Z25-equipped 13680, an M20 four-speed, an M21 close-ratio four-speed limited to L34 or L78, an M22 heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed limited to L78 alone, an M35 Powerglide, and an M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic available with every listed engine including all three 396s. Its options section prices Z25 itself at $347.60 retail, rising to $370.15 depending on body, against the same 86,307-unit line-wide installation figure already carried in the production rows.1,1
This record's own paint section lists sixteen solid colors by code, from Tuxedo Black through Daytona Yellow, two of them carrying the source's own footnotes about limited or late-year availability. Its interiors section documents eight trim codes with unit counts ranging from 707 bucket-seat installations up to 116,465 for the most common black bench-seat combination, most of the larger counts explicitly noted as spanning every model the trim code was offered on rather than the El Camino alone; this record's own conflicts and unpublished leads sections are both empty for 1969, a gap it carries without substitution.1,1
Fact sheet · 1969 · United States
The numbers
1969 Chevrolet El Camino SS 396 — SS 396 became RPO Z25 option equipment, orderable on the V8 Malibu El Camino (13680); the El Camino share of the 86,307 Z25s is not separately published.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Z25 SS 396 was available on the V8 Malibu El Camino (13680).1
- Line-wide Z25 installations: 86,307; El Camino share not published in the sources seen.1
- Team Chevelle's production-totals page gives 48,385 El Caminos built for 1969 across all trims and engines, matching the sum of this file's own body-scoped rows; it does not separate an El Camino-specific SS count from that total (Z25 was an option added to the Custom V8 model, not tabulated apart from it).2
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu El Camino, V8 (13680): the Z25-eligible El Camino1 Malibu · 2-door sedan pickup · V8 · US tabulation | 39,000 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Malibu El Camino, six (13580)1 Malibu · 2-door sedan pickup · 6-cyl · US tabulation | 785 | built, model-year | Reported |
| El Camino, V8 (13480)1 El Camino · 2-door sedan pickup · V8 · US tabulation | 6,407 | built, model-year | Reported |
| El Camino, six (13380)1 El Camino · 2-door sedan pickup · 6-cyl · US tabulation | 2,193 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPO Z25 SS 396, all eligible models1 SS 396 · 300 Deluxe coupes, Malibu sport coupe, convertible, El Camino · 396 V8 · US tabulation Not an El Camino count. | 86,307 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino, all series (total)2 2-door sedan pickup · US tabulation Equals the sum of the rows above (39,000+785+6,407+2,193), which are independently sourced to ChevelleStuff.net; that match is corroboration, not the basis for this row. The source marks El Camino SS as '*' (an option on the Custom V8 model, not separately tabulated) for this year, consistent with no El Camino-specific SS row being added. | 48,385 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped; do not add them. No SS El Camino count was found.
Paint and trim codes are from the Chevelle-line tables; paint counts on the source are for all Chevelles and are not shown here as El Camino counts. Trim counts are shown only where the trim code is listed for El Camino models; a count that also covers other models says so.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Malibu El Camino, V8 (13680)1 | $2,706 | list price based on shipping documents; excludes taxes, license, options; the source prints two amounts, $2,706.00 and $2,723.00, 1969 model year |
| Malibu El Camino, six (13580)1 | $2,631 | list price based on shipping documents; excludes taxes, license, options, 1969 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| L35 · Turbo-Jet 3961 396 cu in · 4-barrel | 325 hp @ 4,800, 410 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | standard with Z25 | Not yet sourced |
| L34 · Turbo-Jet 3961 396 cu in · 4-barrel | 350 hp @ 5,200, 415 lb-ft @ 3,400 (SAE gross) | optional with Z25 | Not yet sourced |
| L78 · Turbo-Jet 3961 396 cu in · 4-barrel | 375 hp @ 5,600, 415 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE gross) | optional with Z25 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo-Thrift 230 six1,1 230 cu in · 1-barrel | 140 hp @ 4,400, 220 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE gross) | standard, six-cylinder models 13380 and 13580 | Not yet sourced |
| L22 · Turbo-Thrift 250 six1,1 250 cu in · 1-barrel | 155 hp @ 4,200, 235 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE gross) | optional, six-cylinder models 13380 and 13580 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo-Fire 307 V81,1 307 cu in · 2-barrel | 200 hp @ 4,600, 300 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross) | standard, V8 models 13480 and 13680 | Not yet sourced |
| L65 · Turbo-Fire 350 V81,1 350 cu in · 2-barrel | 250 hp @ 4,800, 365 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680 | Not yet sourced |
| L48 · Turbo-Fire 350 V81,1 350 cu in · 4-barrel | 300 hp @ 4,800, 380 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680 | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed (standard)1 | standard with the 230, 250, 307 and L65 | Not yet sourced |
| MC1 · Special 3-speed1 | optional with every non-SS engine; standard with the SS 396 (Z25) engines on 13680 | Not yet sourced |
| M20 · 4-speed wide-range1 | 307, L65, L48 and all three SS 396 engines | Not yet sourced |
| M21 · 4-speed close-ratio1 | SS 396 with L34 or L78 | Not yet sourced |
| M22 · 4-speed heavy-duty close-ratio1 | SS 396 with L78 only | Not yet sourced |
| M35 · Powerglide1 | 230, 250, 307, L65 and L48 | Not yet sourced |
| M40 · Turbo Hydra-Matic1 | every listed engine, including all three SS 396 engines | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
Z25RPO |
SS 396 equipment1 | $347.60 | 86,3071 Reported |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
10 (910AA) |
Tuxedo Black1 | Not yet sourced |
40 (916YY) |
Butternut Yellow1 | Not yet sourced |
50 (911CC) |
Dover White1 | Not yet sourced |
51 (923EE) |
Dusk Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
52 (913RR) |
Garnet Red1 | Not yet sourced |
53 (922DD) |
Glacier Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
55 (921KK) |
Azure Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
57 (920VV) |
Fathom Green1 | Not yet sourced |
59 (919WW) |
Frost Green (footnote 2 on source page)1 | Not yet sourced |
61 (918SS) |
Burnished Brown1 | Not yet sourced |
63 (917MM) |
Champagne1 | Not yet sourced |
65 (915GG) |
Olympic Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
67 (914NN) |
Burgundy1 | Not yet sourced |
69 (912BB) |
Cortez Silver1 | Not yet sourced |
71 (924FF) |
LeMans Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
72 (927QQ) |
Monaco/Hugger Orange (footnote 1 on source page)1 | Not yet sourced |
76 (926PP) |
Daytona Yellow (footnote 1 on source page)1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
756 |
bucket seats, Black Coated Fabric (models 13637, 13667, 13680)1 | 44,2521 Reported |
765 |
bucket seats, Metallic Dark Blue Coated Fabric (models 13637, 13667, 13680)1 | 7,5021 Reported |
752 |
bench seat, Black Pattern Coated Fabric (models 13427, 13435, 13436, 13437, 13446, 13469, 13480)1 | Not yet sourced |
771 |
bucket seats, Antique Medium Saddle Coated Fabric (models 13680)1 | 7071 Reported |
755 |
bench seat, Black Coated Fabric (models 13636, 13637, 13639, 13646, 13669, 13680, 13836, 13846)1 | 116,4651 Reported |
761 |
bench seat, Metallic Med Blue Pattern Coated Fabric, Metallic Dark Blue Coated Fabric (models 13435, 13436, 13446, 13480)1 | 5,5401 Reported |
764 |
bench seat, Metallic Dark Blue Coated Fabric (models 13636, 13646, 13667, 13680)1 | 10,8201 Reported |
770 |
bench seat, Antique Medium Saddle Coated Fabric (models 13636, 13646, 13680)1 | 18,7041 Reported |
773 |
bench seat, Medium Saddle Pattern Coated Fabric, Antique Medium Saddle Coated Fabric (models 13435, 13436, 13446, 13480)1 | 6,4561 Reported |
Identification
- Eligibility
- Only the V8 Malibu El Camino, 13680, was Z25-eligible; a 13380, 13480 or 13580 El Camino was not a factory SS 396.1
Identification
Read a 1969 Chevrolet VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1969
- AMC AMX The two-seat AMX's biggest year: 8,293 cars by the enthusiast production table, with a mid-year run of Big Bad colors and 52 Hurst-built Super Stock AMXs for NHRA drag racing.
- AMC Javelin Production fell to 40,675, but the 1969 Javelin added the Big Bad colors, with 2,282 cars painted blue, green or orange, plus the Mod package.
- AMC Rebel and Rebel Machine A base and SST Rebel with no convertible. The Big Bad colors were test-marketed through the New York–New Jersey 'Raider' hardtop. This is host-car context for the 1970 Machine.
- Buick Riviera Another record at 52,872 Rivieras; 5,272 had the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX GS production fell to 12,465, and the GS 400's Stage 1 package became a factory option while Stage 2 stayed a dealer item.
- Buick Wildcat 67,453 Wildcats; the last year of the 430.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS Super Sport became RPO Z25 option equipment, available for 1969 only on the 300 Deluxe coupes as well as Malibu sport coupe, convertible and El Camino.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS is RPO Z26 per the source, with L48, L34 and L78 engines. Enthusiast-compiled production: 251,849 cars; Super Sport 17,564.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Only the SS427 (RPO Z24) remains; the reported count ranges from 2,425 to about 2,455.
- Dodge Charger The second-generation Charger's peak-sales year added the SE package and the aero-bodied Charger 500 and Charger Daytona homologation cars, whose production totals are still disputed.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The Super Bee added a hardtop body and the 440 Six Pack, while the 440-powered Coronet R/T continued as the upscale hardtop and convertible.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The low-priced Swinger 340 arrived and outsold the GTS by more than two to one (16,637 against about 6,700), while a 375 hp 440 joined the GTS options.
- Ford Fairlane The Fairlane hardtop was the intermediate line's volume leader, while the Fairlane 500 SportsRoof shared its body with the Torino GT, Cobra and Talladega.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT carried Torino GT trim; 1,658 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Fifth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Ford Torino The Torino GT carried most of the line's volume, the 428 Cobra Jet was in its first full year, and the Talladega aero fastback was built in a short run at Atlanta to homologate a NASCAR nose.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone fastback came as Cyclone and Cyclone CJ, mid-year Spoilers carried Dan Gurney and Cale Yarborough graphics, and the extended-nose Cyclone Spoiler II was built at Lorain for NASCAR homologation.
- Mercury Cougar A longer, restyled Cougar added a convertible, the Boss 302 arrived in April, and the Eliminator replaced the GT as the performance Cougar.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The Marauder name returned on a full-size hardtop, and the X-100 carried the 360 hp 429 four-barrel as its only engine.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 kept its 400 while the second Hurst/Olds, in white and gold with a 380 hp 455, went into production at about 900 cars.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last A-body Barracuda introduced the 'Cuda name as a stripped performance package with a standard 340, alongside Formula S and a midyear 440.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The GTX shared the Road Runner's new Air Grabber scoop and Super Track Pack but sold 15,602 cars, fewer than a fifth of the cheaper Road Runner.
- Plymouth Road Runner A convertible joined the coupe and hardtop, the 440 Six Barrel arrived at mid-year, and the Road Runner reached its production peak of 84,420.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The last first-generation Firebird, and the mid-year debut of the Trans Am package: 697 cars by the commonly published count, eight of them convertibles.
- Pontiac GTO Three four-barrel 400s under one nameplate, and the first year of the Judge package built around Ram Air power.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A new 118-inch Grand Prix with the SJ and a 390 hp 428 HO: production more than tripled to 112,486.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The last year of the OHC Sprint six and the 350 HO.
- Rambler American and SC/Rambler AMC and Hurst put the 315-hp 390 V8 and a close-ratio four-speed into the compact Rambler hardtop for NHRA F/Stock. 1,512 were built, and the split between the two paint schemes is disputed.