I am new to the forum and will greatly appreciate any input relating to a car that I will be buying. It is a 1971 Chevelle vin# 136371R145777. I have had the car inspected by a professional who believes it to be a true SS, The car does not have the tach dash with the round guages. I have done some research that suggests that the round instrument dash was an option. The car is being sold as an SS and when I resell the car at some point I do not want to pass off a clone to the next guy. I can be reached at 800.858.5820 or 410.271.1772 cell. Thanks again for any help. Mike

All SS cars came with the round gauges in the dash. They came with "idiot lights" in the small round pods and a speedometer, fuel guage and place for a clock in the large pods.
Actual guages in the pods (tach, temp, alt, clock) were optional. No SS EVER came with the long retangular speedometer. If this car has it, it's probably a clone as the dash was the most difficult thing to swap out. Search for threads on this subject as there are a lot of other things to look for as well.

I agree with Mike, If its a sweep dash its a fake. The factory made tons of mistakes but unless he has a build sheet verifying a sweep dash in a SS car don't believe him. If he does have one proving it you need to talk to previous owners. I've never heard of sweep dash in a 70, 71 or 72 ever. Nobody puts a sweep dash in one on purpose because even if the dash had been striped out of the car I can't imagine wanting to go to the trouble to install a sweep dash back in a SS car. If its a nice car and you want to buy it at clone money fine, but if he's sticking to his guns for SS money I would sweep this one out of my mind and forget about it.:yes:

I love it when people say they are having a 69-72 chevelle inspected by an expert to see if it is a true SS. This is how to tell, FOR SURE, and you don't have to be an expert.
1. Are the first three digits of the vin 134 (If yes, it's not an SS; if no, continue on) If i's a 72 and a w-code, it's an ss
2. Ask for documentation.

Thats it! If they don't have papers, they don't have proof.