I have a mystery SS396, 1968 ElCamino. The car, for all intents and purposes, appears to be an authentic SS car (absolutely nothing looks added on or are there any modifications under the dash, yet the VIN number is '134' and not '138'). Rumour has it that there were a few (maybe 3) non-SS cars recalled back to the Baltimore factory and modified to appear as authentic SS396's to satisfy a demand for these SS cars back in 1968. Is there anyone with information to verify this mystery, not even GM Canada could provide more information other than the VIN number indicates a non SS car, yet when viewed by several professional auto restorers, they could find no indication of add-on modifications. The car is MINT and has captured numerous trophies, but the mystery of the non matching VIN has not yet been satisfied.

Gregg

Too easy. Many long years ago I was a Chevrolet parts counterman. I helped many customers, and a few salesman, do SS conversions. Years pass and the parts have a patina indicating that they have been in place just about forever.

I have a less nice alternative: your car was stolen and vin plate etc were transfered from a wreck. You certainly wouldn't be the first person to have bought such a car. If it were mine I would be going through the trouble of verifying the vin #'s from the several hidden places.

The other story you have is simply not believable.

Thomas

I agree with Thomas. If the car is mint, I would assume it has been restored, and once it has been restored, it could have been anything. If the vehicle is Canadian built with Canadian documentation, that documentation would not only tell you that it had a Standard El Camino VIN but what options, or none (such as a 396 engine), came on the truck, further proof that it would not be an SS.
Sounds like a day 2 clone to me.
Bruce

Rumour has it that there were a few (maybe 3) non-SS cars recalled back to the Baltimore factory and modified to appear as authentic SS396's to satisfy a demand for these SS cars back in 1968.
Never heard that on before but those rumours were usually started by someone trying to sell a car as someting it wasn't.

:(

Still the best year car made.Most people at shows don't look at vins anyway.You can see my head all the time under the hood checking out the motor setups.