Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Bob,
This is my 1969 low mileage 3 owner L78 SS. It was ordered new from Benson Chevrolet in Brooklyn, NY by a fellow named Leo Vita who is alive and well and still living in Brooklyn. The mileage today is 13, 855. It is extremely original and still retains its original (born with) engine, transmission and rear gear. The original factory documentation indicates it came with bucket seats, console, accent stripe, H. D. suspension, 4.10 rear gear, pwr disc brakes, 375 hp 396, M21 4 spd, 8 track stereo tape and AM radio along with the SS 396 conversion. It is finished in LeMans blue with a parchment interior. Although Mr. Vita ordered the optional gauge package, when delivered, it was absent. Leo told me he didn’t want to park the car in the lot where he worked, so, he purchased a used car to drive to work. By 1979, he had quit driving the car altogether. It sat in his garage until 2004 when he sold it to Mr. John D’Angelo of Seaford, NY. John had intended to restore the car, but, after a year of ownership, decided to sell. After unsuccessfully trying to sell on eBay, I made an offer that was accepted. The car was shipped to the Super Car Workshop where Brian and Joe gave it a complete inspection.
The original shocks and springs were changed after a local mechanic told Leo it would handle much better. I asked him if they were still around but unfortunately they were not. The carpet was changed. But, the original was kept and will provide cut patterns for the restoration. Other parts, including the water pump, battery, master cylinder, air cleaner element, etc., have been changed, however, the water pump and master cylinder came with the car when I purchased it. Overall it is a beautiful original example of a 69 Chevelle SS 396.

Regards,
Mark Donnally

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Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

White interior...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif And I dig the t-shirt on the front seat as well! Love that blue...

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Holy Cow!!
Benson Chevrolet on 86 street!
That is where my parents always bought our cars.
My parents bought our 74 malibu station wagon and then our 84 malibu classic there.
I was 15 when it was time for the 84 and begged and pleaded for them to get the 305..with posi rear.
Not a chance..they got the 231 v6 4 door!
Have fun with the chevelle.....
Did it come with any benson paperwork?

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

If I had Mr. Whoopie's Wayback Machine I'd grab an 69 Chevelle order form and pick this color combo. Has to be coolest color combo to wrap around an L78 hands down. Awesome car Mark. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Yep, blue with white/black interior is a tough combo to improve upon. Love the Sun tach on the column! As David Lee Roth said: "No, no, no, don't take it off, don't take it off..."

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

[ QUOTE ]
Holy Cow!!
Benson Chevrolet on 86 street!


[/ QUOTE ]

Better check for Mitchell's fries under the seats---Car looks like the SS396 in the '69 chevelle catalog----VERY https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gifScore---- https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

If I wasn't such a big fan and owner of 69 Camaro's, I would own a few Chevelle's. Very sweet Chevelle!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

The car is super complete. The trunk was like a treasure chest. Almost every single part that the car needed was in there. A very cool car. The Chevelle twin to Frank Arones COPO Camaro...BKH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

I love these '69 Chevelles! Wicked cool color combo!

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

I remeber the car on Ebay... acouple of times ... almost all original paint if I remeber correctly.

Very Very nice ... love the Lemans Blue with the Parchment interior.
LOOKS GREAT!

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Awesome looking Chevelle! Thanks for sharing it with all of us. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

This is a really nice Chevelle..but then I am bias. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

NEAT CAR. LOOKING FOWARD TO SEEING IT RESTORED... KP

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Seems as though every time I have a car featured here, it is sold. This Chevelle has has been purchased by a doctor in IL. I really did look forward to having Brian and Joe work their magic on it. I WILL end up having a car restored by those guys at some point. Their work is second to none. I ended up selling this because a red/black L89 Corvette roadster that I had wanted for quite some time became available. I know, I know, sell a Chevelle to buy a Corvette? What a dipsh*t!

The Chevelle did have three beautiful build sheets with it as well as a complete owner history with the original owner still on this side of the green grass.

The old car would have looked killer next to Frank's blue/white COPO, wouldn't it?

Regards,

Mark

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

Try not to sell the L89 !!!

Re: Mark Donnally's 69 L78 Chevelle......
 

I'm going to keep this one and start my 69 collection. L78 Nova, L78 Chevelle and a COPO Camaro. YEAH, that's what I'm gonna do, hopefully. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Mark