I got some info off a 68 Chevelle, claimed to be an SS. I don't know a thing about tags, so I'll put what I have up here.

136378G1211

It has a 396 with 4spd, claims numbers matching.

Reason I'm asking is there is a discussion stating it's not a true SS.

SS Chevelles have VIN numbers that start with 138xx in years 1966, 1967, and 1968
True of el Caminos as well.
According to the VIN the car in question is not an SS model

PS there are numbers missing from the tail end of the VIN, too! there should be 6 digits after the G 1xxxxx
G in the VIN denotes Framingham MA, btw.

Have a look at the Sticky thread in Restoration Tech:
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181589

Hmm is there anyway around that? Like a Canada built car? Here is a response from him.

"Sorry, I have had several chevelles, the last one was a canada built car that was a 136 vin, and it came with the build sheet and all the options the car had from the factory on the cowl tag prooving it was a true SS, so I dont put much stock in that GM did some crazy stuff. I guess I better say buyer beware, may not be SS. There is also a #'s matching 69 on ebay now that is an SS with 136 vin so who knows. thanks though"

If it's a US built car,.....136 VIn is a non-SS car

But wasn't there also builds in Canada? I apologize, I'm getting back into Chevelles and it's been a few years. Also, was a 396 w/ 4spd an option in that year on a non SS model?

This car that your have given the VIN (partial) has G as the assembly identifier - that is Framingham, MA , not in Canada as far as I know.
Canada built cars are a real treat. They are factory documentable (is that a word??)
You can get a packet of info about your specific car if you contact them and give the the VIN info on your Canadian built Chevy.
The # to call in Canada is 905-644-5843
In 1969 Chevrolet decided to drop the model specific designation for an SS Chevelle and make it an option on the Malibu and 300 deluxe series cars and el Caminos.
No VIN info will tell you if a 1696 Chevelle is truly an SS.
read more info at the link above.

Dan

I think that seller with the 68 is trying to scam you. run away from that one.:yes: As for the 69 year the only way to know for sure its a real ss is all the paper work, POP, build sheet, ect.

68 SS cars were 138 cars. There were 136 SS cars "made in Canada" but not in 68. No documented one that I have heard of anyway. I think the seller knows this he's just trying to BS his way around it. Also, all Canadian SS cars can be verified through records.

GM and the assembly line did do some strange stuff, but this car was born in Maryland as a Malibu.

If you want a 138 car, this one isn't it. Nothing wrong with a Malibu in SS drag but it should be priced accordingly and most importantly should not be disguised as something it's not.

At least you asked first. So many people buy first and ask later. Knowledge is power, buying power.

"Sorry, I have had several chevelles, the last one was a canada built car that was a 136 vin, and it came with the build sheet and all the options the car had from the factory on the cowl tag prooving it was a true SS, so I dont put much stock in that GM did some crazy stuff. I guess I better say buyer beware, may not be SS. There is also a #'s matching 69 on ebay now that is an SS with 136 vin so who knows. thanks though"

Interesting??? Cowl tag proving its an SS:noway:. No 138 vin = No SS in 1968! If your set on an SS this is not it! The guy said it him self "Buyer Beware".

The seller is just another douch bag trying to sell a misrepresented car as a ss do yourself a favor and go back and kick him in the nutz:yes:

Hmm is there anyway around that? Like a Canada built car? Here is a response from him.

"Sorry, I have had several chevelles, the last one was a canada built car that was a 136 vin, and it came with the build sheet and all the options the car had from the factory on the cowl tag prooving it was a true SS, so I dont put much stock in that GM did some crazy stuff. I guess I better say buyer beware, may not be SS. There is also a #'s matching 69 on ebay now that is an SS with 136 vin so who knows. thanks though"There were Malibu SS Chevelles built in Canada in 66 & 67 with 13617/13667 VINs but you didn't mention whether he said it was a 66 or 67 Malibu SS he had. Canada didn't have 'build sheets' as such but rather line tags such as this.

http://www.chevellestuff.com/1970/chevelle/bs/os/line_tag_os01.jpg

In 66 & 67 the Malibu SS was a Malibu with a 'Sports Option' which consisted of bucket seats, console (except 3-spd manual trans cars) and P01 wheel covers.

See http://www.chevellestuff.com/misc/cdn_chevelle_facts.htm for more details.

The cowl tag/trim tag/firewall tag was a product of Fisher Body, not Chevrolet, and the style number is not the legal identification of the car and does not prove nor disprove an SS car. Although in the case of a 13817/37/67/80 style, the car should be an SS but trim tags can be legally swapped (except in Oklahaoma). The VIN assigned by Chevrolet is the legal identification of the car.

Could a 1968 13637 sport coupe escape from the factory with a 13837 Fisher Body number plate? Strange things have happened so I've pretty much learned to never say never. There was a 67 Nantucket Blue Malibu sport coupe discussed not long ago with a 13617 style body tag but 13817 VIN plate that seemed very legit - strangely enough it was also a Framingham car and a 283 Powerglide car. Car was sold out of Florida in November of 07 then again out of Indiana in July of 08.

Beginning in 1969 through 1972 the SS became an option on the Malibu sport coupe, convertible & pickup series and would have a 13637/67/80 VIN; 1969 also saw the only year the SS option could be ordered on the 300 Deluxe 2-dr sedan (13427) as well as the 2-dr coupe (13437). So the 69 numbers matching Chevelle you mentioned on eBay could very well be equipped with the Z25 Ss396 option.

Unless he can show you PROVEN GM documentation that it IS a SS, ITS NOT A SS. 1969 doesn't count, different rules. In 1968 it will have 138 unless he can prove it otherwise.

68 SS cars were 138 cars. There were 136 SS cars "made in Canada" but not in 68. No documented one that I have heard of anyway. I think the seller knows this he's just trying to BS his way around it. Also, all Canadian SS cars can be verified through records.

GM and the assembly line did do some strange stuff, but this car was born in Maryland as a Malibu.

If you want a 138 car, this one isn't it. Nothing wrong with a Malibu in SS drag but it should be priced accordingly and most importantly should not be disguised as something it's not.

At least you asked first. So many people buy first and ask later. Knowledge is power, buying power.

Not a Maryland car, G means Framingham, Ma which is Mass, not Md.

Not a Maryland car, G means Framingham, Ma which is Mass, not Md.

my bad. thank you