SS Synopsis:
1964 & 1965 - Malibu SS was a separate series from the Malibu and can be identified by the VIN (45737/67 and 45837/67 in 1964 and 13737/67 and 13837/67 in 1965). The Malibu SS was basically a trim package (added bucket seats, gauges, and other dress up type items) and could be had with a base V8 or L6 with other engines optional as well.

1966 through 1968 - SS396 was a separate series from the Malibu and can be identified by the VIN (13817/37/67/80). Primarily a performance option with the 396/325 engine as the base V8 with 350hp (67-68)/360hp (66) & 375hp options available. The SS396 El Camino was available in 1968 only. Any 396 could be ordered on the 66/67 El Camino but they were not a 138xx series, hence not a SS396.

1969 & 1970 - The 396 engine became an option (just like an AM/FM radio, tinted glass, or A/C) on the 300 Deluxe 2-dr sedan and 2-dr coupe and Malibu sport coupe, convertible and the Custom El Camino in 1969 and only the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and Custom El Camino in 1970 with a 396 or 454 engine when the SS package was ordered. Still a performance option with the 396 being the base V8 included and the two 454s optional on top of & in addition to the SS option. That is, one had to order the SS package (which got you a 396 engine) then order one of the two 454s if you desired.

1971-1972 - The SS package was still an option but more of a visual package than a performance package and could be ordered with any optional V8 engine (350-2, 350-4, 402-4, or 454-4) on the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and Custom El Camino.

Since the SS package was an option from 1969 through 1972, nothing on the body plate or VIN plate will identify one unless it was built in Canada.

Also as noted, many times you'll hear that if it's a 138xx coded VIN it must be a SS396 car - not so in the truest sense since the Concours wagon started with 138xx for a few years as well as the 70-72 Monte Carlos.

Looks like sticky info to me :thumbsup:

Looks like sticky info to me :thumbsup:
I thought so also - Good info Dale

copied from http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181471

Excellent points I just added those to my note book!

Thanks Dale!

Since the SS package was an option from 1969 through 1972, nothing on the body plate or VIN plate will identify one unless it was built in Canada.



All good stuff except you didn't make mention of the engine size in the 1972 VIN which would help in identifying a 72 SS454,72 SS w/a 402 or a Malibu 400 (402)

All good stuff except you didn't make mention of the engine size in the 1972 VIN which would help in identifying a 72 SS454,72 SS w/a 402 or a Malibu 400 (402)I did omit the 454 being a qualifier for a 1972 being a mandatory SS optioned Chevelle and the VIN would include a "W" engine code and thank you for clarifying since I can't edit the post. :yes:

A Malibu 400 doesn't have the SS option AFAIK and the LS3 (402) engine, even though identified with a "U" engine code in the 1972 VIN didn't require the SS option.

Am I correct in assuming in '69 that the SS396 option was not available on the base V8 El Camino?

According to Chevrolet documentation I have the SS option, Z25, in 1969 was limited to 13427-37, 13637-67-80 series/models. The Deluxe 300 coupe and sedan are mentioned but not the 13480 El Camino. :noway:

OK thanks.

Since the SS package was an option from 1969 through 1972, nothing on the body plate or VIN plate will identify one unless it was built in Canada.

.

maybe you should add...

Since Monaco Orange 72 and Daytona Yellow 76 paint codes on a 69 Chevelle were SS only special paint options, these two paint codes on the trim tag are a good clue to a 69 SS396

maybe you should add...

Since Monaco Orange 72 and Daytona Yellow 76 paint codes on a 69 Chevelle were SS only special paint options, these two paint codes on the trim tag are a good clue to a 69 SS396Good point on the 1969 model year, that information is displayed on the body plate. Unfortunately I cannot edit the post - been up too long. This information is noted on my Chevellestuff.com site under 1969 > Chevelle > Paint Codes :yes:

Data presented here was just a quick synopsis to complement/augment Dan Carr's How to spot a genuine SS Chevelle / El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html) which deals with 68-72 Chevelles but not the 64-67 model years. Naturally another tip-off of a clone would be if the trim tag 3rd digit is an odd number on 69-72 models and VIN on 69-71 models indicating a 6-cyl engine.

Hey Guys,
Got a noob question here. Were you able to order a 1970 Malibu Sport with the 454 option, or was that reserved solely as a SS upgrade?

Terminology here. There was no model called "Malibu Sport" (remember capital letters make it a proper name). The SS option was only available on the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and Custom El Camino models. So, yes, you could order a Malibu sport coupe with the 454 engine but only as part of the Z15 SS 454 package but no, you couldn't order the 454 without the SS package. You could get the 402/330hp LS3 big block without the SS package.

Thanks for the info.

I am confuesed. If my 396 Engine has the same stamp as the last 6 of the vin, is that an ss? 1970

Can you tell me what mod's need to be made to a 72 chevelle to make it an SS clone? and/or where to buy the parts? thanks.

Can you tell me what mod's need to be made to a 72 chevelle to make it an SS clone? and/or where to buy the parts? thanks.

you won't find many people to help you with that here.:noway:
cloning is frowned upon :(somewhat if there is a chance that it is for resale purposes.;)

One more note about the SS, in 1971-1972 you could not order the SS option on the base model Chevelle if you ordered the Heavy Chevy package but you could order the 402 engine on this car with 12 bolt, M20, gauges & non flapper cowl hood with hood pins (all SS items) but a Heavy Chevy car.

One more note about the SS, in 1971-1972 you could not order the SS option on the base model Chevelle if you ordered the Heavy Chevy package but you could order the 402 engine on this car with 12 bolt, M20, gauges & non flapper cowl hood with hood pins (all SS items) but a Heavy Chevy car.The opening thread does say 1971-1972 - The SS package was still an option but more of a visual package than a performance package and could be ordered with any optional V8 engine (350-2, 350-4, 402-4, or 454-4) on the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and Custom El Camino.
By virture of being able to order a 12-bolt, M20, gauges & non flapper cowl hood with hood pins on a Heavy Chevy car, that eliminates them from being SS items doesn't it? Except for the domed hood and pins those items could be ordered on any non-SS optioned car so they can't be SS items as noted in parenthesis above. Gauges, 4-speeds, and 12-bolts have never been SS exclusive items, gauges and 4-speeds have always been optional on SS cars as well as non-SS cars. :)

I am confuesed. If my 396 Engine has the same stamp as the last 6 of the vin, is that an ss? 1970

Technically its a 402 ;) I think it could also be a Heavy Chevy. Right guys?

Technically its a 402 ;) I think it could also be a Heavy Chevy. Right guys?

OR a Malibu 400

Technically its a 402 ;) I think it could also be a Heavy Chevy. Right guys?No Heavy Chevy in 1970.

OR a Malibu 400If it's an LS3 402, correct. The engine ID suffix should have been posted to tell the difference. LS3 used CKN (TH400), CKR (manual), & CKS (manual w/HD clutch).

I have a 66 Malibu SS.with a 396. How is it different from a Super Sport?

I have a 66 Malibu SS.with a 396. How is it different from a Super Sport?If it's a U.S.-built Malibu, it's not a Malibu SS but rather a Malibu with a 396 engine. No more, no less.

If it's a Canadian built Malibu SS the Malibu SS badging and name was given due to the ordering of the A51 'Sports Option' which basically got you bucket seats and the rear cove painted Argent Silver. The 396 engine was simply another engine option in the Malibu SS and was only noted by the Turbo-Jet 396 V and flags on the front fender but didn't include the SS hood that the U.S. built SS396's received.

Is the VIN (not the trim tag on the firewall) 138176A/B/F/G/Z/Kxxxxxx or 6136176xxxxxx?

It is the canadian model with the Malibu SS emblems on back fenders, and 396 on front. Also has 4 speed.
vin#6136170xxxxx.
A guy told me there were only 499 of these built, do you know if this is true?:)

I don't have any numbers on it but GM of Canada's Vintage Vehicle Service (http://chevelles.com/vvs/index.html) will supply you with a certification sheet like the one below for a fee. Give them the VIN and they'll show you the options ordered, when ordered, when built, etc.

Thank you, i will try that.

Hey Dale:

I don't suppose Kansas City could do the same for my 68, if you sent them your vin?? Never hurts to ask. I can find little or no documentation on my car. Wrote the previous owners, but guess they don't care. Really frustrating

Hey Dale:

I don't suppose Kansas City could do the same for my 68, if you sent them your vin?? Never hurts to ask. I can find little or no documentation on my car. Wrote the previous owners, but guess they don't care. Really frustratingOnly available to Canada-built or Canada-sold Chevelles. :(

Is it posible that in 71 you could of ordered a malibu as an ss and had a bench seat and a 350 4bbl in it?...my vin starts with 136371 which I have read to be posible that it might be ss by my the vin digits...Im Having a hard time identifying what model my car is...

Was it possible in '69 to order code 72 and 76 through the copo system as it was with special paint schemes in '70, or could it only be had with the 427 or SS option.

Was it possible in '69 to order code 72 and 76 through the copo system as it was with special paint schemes in '70, or could it only be had with the 427 or SS option.

In 69, you could order a code 72 or 76 Chevelle, the only manditory option was Z25 SS 396 equipment. No COPO or otherwise funny ordering involved. In other words, if you wanted a yellow or orange 69 Chevelle, you HAD to order an SS396 car.

There were many special order paint cars built. Police cars, Taxis...Musclecars....etc... This was available for many years. The Special paint cars went through a different order bank then a COPO. COPO was Central Office Production Order.
Spec Paint went through F&SO. Fleet and Special Order. Depending on the color, and the quantity, the charge for special paint went from free, to like $125.00 They had to be approved and scheduled just like any other car.

hmm, I thought any color could be ordered as special paint but the trim tag would have dashes rather than the paint code.
Or was that not true for just the 69 model year then?

hmm, I thought any color could be ordered as special paint but the trim tag would have dashes rather than the paint code.
Or was that not true for just the 69 model year then?Yes, orange or yellow or anything else could be a special paint order but the tag would show dash chracters (-) at most plants, not sure about Framingham or Oshawa. According to Jim Mattison, who worked for GM in this era, the Fleet & Special Order Department (often called COPO) would have to OK any special paint orders.

Is it posible that in 71 you could of ordered a malibu as an ss and had a bench seat and a 350 4bbl in it?...my vin starts with 136371 which I have read to be posible that it might be ss by my the vin digits...Im Having a hard time identifying what model my car is...Not only possible but the Malibu coupe, convertible, and pickup were the only models you could get the SS option in 71 & 72. In 71/72 the Z15 SS option was a dress up option and not a performance option. Any optional V8 (350-2, 350-4, 402-4, and 454-4) could be ordered with the Z15 option. Bench seats were ALWAYS standard in 66 through 72 SS396 Chevelles and SS optioned Malibus. Bucket seats were ALWAYS optional on SS396 and Malibu-based SS optioned Chevelles. The exception, I'm pretty sure, would be the SS optioned 1969 300 Deluxe 2-dr coupe and 2-dr sedan.

I've seen several '71s with documentation and build sheets lately that did not come with hood pins even though it was part of the 'SS' package in '71. In fact one of our members (aso544) has probably the most heavily documented '71 SS454 cars in existence and his car came with a standard 'SS' hood with no pins. What do you make of that?

Hood pins weren't called out on the build sheet so there's no way to document them except for what GM called for. The domed hood is the same from 1970 thru 1972. Only 1971 and 1972 call for hood pins in the Z15 option packge where 1970 did not come standard with hood pins for either the Z25 or Z15.

I guess my first question would be did he purchase the car new and is he (or his family) the only owners? If not then I'd say it highly possible it has a 1970, non-pinned, hood. Original could have been damaged long before it got it and simply replaced with a 1970 hood and maybe it was easier to remove the pins and lanyards than it was to drill the hood and install the scuff plate.

One more note about the SS, in 1971-1972 you could not order the SS option on the base model Chevelle if you ordered the Heavy Chevy package but you could order the 402 engine on this car with 12 bolt, M20, gauges & non flapper cowl hood with hood pins (all SS items) but a Heavy Chevy car.

1972 Chevelle SS "402" could be ordered with option of cowl Flapper on hood and hood pins. I ordered mine that way when I came out of the US Army. Cowl Induction on side of hood scoup and hood pins.
Bill

Thanks for the note. Your SS could be ordered with a lot more options than the Heavy Chevy.

One more note about the SS, in 1971-1972 you could not order the SS option on the base model Chevelle if you ordered the Heavy Chevy package but you could order the 402 engine on this car with 12 bolt, M20, gauges & non flapper cowl hood with hood pins (all SS items) but a Heavy Chevy car.The SS option was only available on the Malibu series coupe/convertible/pickup, the Heavy Heavy option could only be ordered on the Standard coupe.

Thanks for the note. Your SS could be ordered with a lot more options than the Heavy Chevy.Only because there were more options available on the Malibu than on the Standard. One must remember that the SS (Z15) and Heavy Chevy (YF3) were options themselves and didn't necessarily justify or limit other options available on their respective models.

For example one could order bucket seats on an SS optioned Malibu because buckets were available on the Malibu, not because of the SS option, where buckets could not be ordered on with a Heavy Chevy optioned Standard because buckets could not be ordered on the Standard series and had nothing to do with the Heavy Chevy option. :thumbsup:

I 100% agree with your note. Thanks for the complete clarification. Thanks again!

Hey, I'm new here so please forgive me in advance for any faux paus, also if this is the wrong place to ask my question I would appreciate being directed in the correct direction. :) I recently inherited a 1970 Chevelle with not much info and I'm pretty sure whoever had it before my family cloned it but I was wondering where I could go to double check? The only thing I have to go off of is the badge under the hood and the VIN. I've tried looking around on the net but I'm thinking I'm asking the wrong questions or phrasing it incorrectly. If anybody could give me some tips I would greatly appreciate it. :)

Hey, I'm new here so please forgive me in advance for any faux paus, also if this is the wrong place to ask my question I would appreciate being directed in the correct direction. :) I recently inherited a 1970 Chevelle with not much info and I'm pretty sure whoever had it before my family cloned it but I was wondering where I could go to double check? The only thing I have to go off of is the badge under the hood and the VIN. I've tried looking around on the net but I'm thinking I'm asking the wrong questions or phrasing it incorrectly. If anybody could give me some tips I would greatly appreciate it. :)Might try the Tag Team and/or Restoration Corner forums as they are visited more. I can tell you that since both the SS396 & SS454 were options on the Malibu coupe, convertible, and pickup there is nothing in the VIN nor on the trim tag that will tell you if it came with either option. You might check my page at http://www.chevellestuff.com/1970/70ss.htm for some helpful hints.

Awesome, thank you so much. :)