Very Nice Build! Great Paint! 402 V8, 4 Speed Manual, PS, PB w/ Frt Disc, Clean!

Some of the most extraordinary cars we've ever featured are tribute cars, and perhaps because of their underdog status, their builders seem to go the extra mile. This 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 Clone convertible, for instance, is extremely accurate in almost every way, and that's in addition to being simply gorgeous to look at and a blast to drive.

The red-over-white color combination is striking and perfectly suits one of America's finest muscle cars. No car is perfect, but this high driver-grade convertible is really bloody nice with super-straight bodywork that reflects beautifully under the shiny red paint. Even for a convertible, panel fit is very, very good, with even gaps around the doors and it has been fitted with a slick dual cowl hood for just the right muscle-car look. White stripes are the usual go-to but certainly look fantastic, and they've been expertly applied down the flanks to match the factory pattern. There's a blacked-out SS grille up front, and it matches the blacked-out tail panel, providing nice bookends on this bright red droptop. Bright chrome bumpers, proper SS badging, and all the other little details make this more than just another tribute car, but rather an expression of the restorer's craftsmanship and dedication. You can see just about everywhere you look that they tackled the project as if it really was a six-figure piece; it's simply gorgeous!

The stunning white interior is OEM all the way, but the slick color will make you think that it came out of something a lot more expensive. Newer seat covers, plush black carpets, matching white SS-style door panels, a crack-free dash pad, and other soft parts mean that it's like the factory intended inside, and aside from a few very minor signs of use here and there, it looks almost like new. An SS 2-spoke steering wheel sits atop a tilt column and frames a correct SS instrument cluster, which is now full of white-faced Dolphin gauges that more accurately monitor the engine's vitals. And talk about attention to detail! The original AM radio is long gone but it was faithfully replaced by a retro-style AM/FM/AUX unit in the dash, and the center console houses the highly desirable Hurst shifter for the 4-speed manual transmission below. The white power convertible top lowers itself with ease and features a clear rear window, a nice feature in many GM muscle cars. The spacious trunk is also tidy, finished with spatter-paint and a neatly placed plaid mat.

The namesake 402 cubic inch V8 (because of insurance regulations that GM was maneuvering around, the 402 in 1969 was basically a 396 by another name) under the hood packs plenty of power and it really shines in its well-detailed surroundings, wearing a pair of chrome valve covers and a matching chrome air cleaner, and bracketed by a pair of ultra clean red inner fenders. The big block itself is covered in Chevy Orange enamel and looks incredibly clean, with a lopey idle that sure sounds like there's a mild cam inside. The block is topped with an Edelbrock intake and a 4-barrel carburetor to get the most out of its considerable displacement, and Hooker long-tube headers that help the engine breathe. All that responsive power pairs with a quick-shifting 4-speed manual transmission that allows for both fast acceleration and longer cruises. Power steering makes this vintage muscle car easy to handle, while its power brakes feature discs up front for fade-resistant stopping ability as it patrols the asphalt on a set of SS wheels wrapped with 245/60/14 Cooper Cobra white-letter tires.

This is a tribute that will fool most experts and the driving experience is identical. If you like the look and crave big block power, this convertible is a stunning, no-excuses driver. Dialed-in and ready to go, this droptop won't last long. Call today!