I am in hopes that I can get as much information as possible. I have read several things and want to see if I am even close or way off.

VIN: 1D37H2R521796

I want to know if I am correct on the following and if there is any more information that can be offered
VIN number of '72 SS or Malibu starts with 1D37
H code means it is originally a 350 VB 2bbl

So does that mean this car is a SS 350 car, or am I only half way there? I know if it was a W code it would be a 454 for sure.

The info you have decoded is correct but does not tell you that you have an SS. Share some more info & I am sure we can help point you in the right direction.

The SS is not a model. Its an option available on a Malibu, just like A/C is or vinyl top etc.

All SS OPTIONED cars are Malibu but not all Malibu's are SS OPTIONED cars.

That is the hard part I guess.

It has:
Raised Cowl hood(not flapper)
SS gauges(had wood grain face plate on it)
It is a 2-Door Hard Top
Has SS emblems on the front grill and the bumper
Factory installed A/C
Bucket Seats with floor shifter(Automatic 3-Speed on console)
The side however says SS 454 on it


Does this help?

Here is what I can make of the protecto plate
72-13637 R 13853
713 A52 49 O <- Not sure if O or Q
CA612

That is the hard part I guess.

It has:
Raised Cowl hood(not flapper)
SS gauges(had wood grain face plate on it)
It is a 2-Door Hard Top
Has SS emblems on the front grill and the bumper
Factory installed A/C
Bucket Seats with floor shifter(Automatic 3-Speed on console)
The side however says SS 454 on it


Does this help?
The woodgrain on the dash tips it off as a clone. The woodgrain dash is from a Monte Carlo. Chevelle dashes are black with silver trim.

It is black with silver trim underneath. The woodgrain dash was held on with what look liked 3M doublestick adhesive tape, and several screws run through it to hold the top of it to the dash.

Also, is there any chance I could get some information from the protecto plate details?

Then we will still need more info on the car. Rear end type,are the lower control arms boxed? pull the emblem off the rear bumper to see if the holes are factory made, not just drilled in by someone. does it have a bullet style mirror on the drivers door?

It might be hard to determine if it was SS optioned unless you can find a buidsheet in the car.

Double check the trim tag, some codes unclear or you may be misreading them. Got picture?

49 O, are you sure? No colors like that were offered.

No date code, MMW format. MM is month 01-->12, W is week A-->E Suspect CA is part of date code, 10A ??

The Monte Carlo dash fasicia is bad. Can't imagine a person adding that to an SS car. Probably means the dash is not original.

Are they any holes in plastic under the woodgrain face and on both sides of steering colume? I have parted out Monte for the dash and found all to have these 1 in holes. Dead giveaway of a monte dash.

Emblems are easy to add as well as the grill and bumper taken from an SS car so they mean very little. hoods are swaped all the time, seen many non SS cars with those hoods today.

How many bolt holding on the rear axle cover? 10 or 12. Should be 12 on SS optioned cars.