why is a 72 paint code a automatic ss, its my understanding, a special paint car would have a deleted paint code, and could be order with any engine tranny combo, does anyone out there have a 1969 with a 72 paint code with a small block? , also they show 72 as red- orange, not hugger orange, not monaco orange, thanks jim

why is a 72 paint code a automatic ss, its my understanding, a special paint car would have a deleted paint code, and could be order with any engine tranny combo, does anyone out there have a 1969 with a 72 paint code with a small block? , also they show 72 as red- orange, not hugger orange, not monaco orange, thanks jimVirtually the same color mixing formula was used by Pontiac as red-orange, Chevrolet as both Hugger and Monaco oranges depending on the model line.

Why is it an SS only paint color on 69s and was it available on non-SS 69s?

Yes and yes.

When it's coded on the trim tag as 72 it indicates a factory standard available color and it was a factory standard color only when the SS option was ordered.

The same color could be ordered on any 1969 Chevelle but it required the dealer to request RPO ZP3, special paint, to go through the Fleet & Special Order group to be approved. It generally was but the trim tag itself would be coded with no letters (blank), a pair of dashes (- -) or the DuPont mixing formula itself, 926-99616 - the method of presentation was dependant upon the plant. The DuPont code 926 means a non-metallic color and 99616 is the DuPont formula for the particular shade of orange. Cost for special paint could range anywhere from no charge to $125.00 depending on the volume.

So, if you ordered the SS option and said "Orange please," the salesman simply ticked the appropriate color box. If you didn't order the SS option, the salesman ticked a different box for "Special Paint", noted the mixing formula or maybe even color and you got your orange car and paid anywhere from no charge to $125.00 for the honor. :thumbsup:

BTW, same for Daytona Yellow in 1969.