1969
Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
Use the photographs to explore materials and details. Equipment and restored finishes can differ from the version in your book.
Colours used
in this example.
A practical palette for the indicative finished example. Build colour gradually and keep the small details clear.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build two or three light layers along the panels. Leave a narrow paper highlight beside the strongest body crease.
Keep the cabin slightly darker than the glass. Follow the seat divisions without filling every seam with black.
Keep the brightest strips white. Put a narrow cool grey band beside them to suggest reflected light.
Layer charcoal gently around the sidewalls. Preserve lettering and any whitewall areas before deepening the rubber.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Comparison photograph 1
Black SS396 convertible with its dark hood raised. Bright sill trim and dark-centred wheels stand out against the black body. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 2
Blue SS396 seen from the side with the bonnet open. The roofline and rear quarter are clearly visible. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Xnatedawgx · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 3
Red-orange SS396 with a dark vinyl roof viewed from the rear. Bright rear-panel trim frames the rectangular tail lamps. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 4
Front-side view of the red-orange SS396. The dark grille and roof contrast with the vivid body colour. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 5
Dark blue SS396 hardtop on grass. The front three-quarter view shows the paired headlamps and chrome bumper. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Sicnag · Source · CC BY 2.0Period finishes and details
The 1969 SS 396 used optional body-side sport striping. Chevelle specialist documentation distinguishes this from the later bonnet and boot stripes often copied onto restored cars. Dover White with black side stripes or Dusk Blue with white are supported combinations for the relevant body and roof conditions. The source also describes the dark grille and rear cove. Check the roof and interior before treating any pairing as universal across every SS 396.
- Dover WhiteBodywork option
- Dusk BlueBodywork option
- BlackGrille and rear cove; stripe with suitable white body
- WhiteStripe with suitable Dusk Blue body
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
Use optional body-side stripes rather than a generic later Chevelle bonnet treatment. Preserve SS 396 identification in the grille and rear cove.
In the photographs
The photographs show individual cars in their present condition. Their paint, wheels and trim can reflect restoration or later choices. Use the dated finish references above when aiming for a period scheme. Convertible body style instead of the featured hardtop.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses forest green. It is a creative interpretation, not an exact paint-code match. Use the photographed trim for material cues while keeping the outlines and composition of your book page.
Make the details count.
Plan the Chevelle’s strong rear-quarter crease before adding strong colour. Work from a light first layer so that the panel boundaries remain clear.
Finish the rectangular lamps and bright rear trim with a sharp pencil. Preserve small white highlights so these details stay separate from the surrounding paint.
Keep the hardware-store loading yard with simple brick wall and wooden pallets in quieter tones. A lighter background gives the car’s silhouette room to stand out.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.