I've read several places that the POP can determine if a car is truly an SS. Can anyone explain what to look for? Thanks for your help. Our's is a 1972 and we do have the POP but haven't found a build sheet.

I've read several places that the POP can determine if a car is truly an SS. Can anyone explain what to look for? Thanks for your help. Our's is a 1972 and we do have the POP but haven't found a build sheet.

Unless your 72 came with a 454 (that required the SS option), there's nothing on a 72 POP, or 71 for that matter, to tell if it was ordered with the option. It's true on 69 and 70 Chevelles because the engine ID is on the POP and if it's a big block ID the car would have had to been equipped with the SS option as the 396 was part of the package.

In 71 and 72 the SS option could be ordered with any optional V8, e.g., 350-2, 350-4, 402-4. Unfortunately in 71 and 72 these engines could be ordered without mandating the SS option. Again, unless a 454 was ordered, the SS option was just that, optional and not mandatory.

Round gauge pods don't help either. If a Malibu was ordered with the gauge package, it also got the round pods. Afraid a build sheet is about the only way.