Hi Everyone,
I am new to this site and new to Chevelle ownership..or almost! I am looking at a 72 Chevelle convertible. My questions are: How can you tell if it is a true SS or a clone. Also I wanted to run the vin# how can I do that? I have the vin number it is 1D37H2R564174. What can you tell from that? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Annette graemlins/waving.gif

I hope this can help. This is from my resto guide by P. Herd, not my own knowledge.
1ST digit Manufacture 1-Chevrolet
2ND digit Model D Malibu
3RD & 4TH Body style 37-Coupe
67-Convertible
80 Pickup
5TH Engine H-2bbl 350 V-8
J-4bbl 350 V-8 W-4bbl 454 V-8 V-4bbl 400 V-8
6TH Model Yr 2-1972
7TH Assembly Plants
8th thru 13th Unit number-All plants started @ 500001

From looking at your Vin it does'nt look like its a true converible and I don't think they made a 2bbl SS. It may be a true converible with a swithched Vin plate. Not good. I'd really be careful and get a second or third opinion before you seal the deal..Good luck..Vince

Originally posted by VINCES 67:
From looking at your Vin it does'nt look like its a true converible and I don't think they made a 2bbl SS. It may be a true converible with a swithched Vin plate. Not good. I'd really be careful and get a second or third opinion before you seal the deal..Good luck..Vince From what I have gathered, in 1972, you could get any of the V-8s in the SS package. Even the 307 (no 307 SS cars have surfaced yet). The car sounds legit.

Originally posted by YenkoChevelle69:
The car sounds legit. A convertible with a non-convertible VIN sounds legit? :confused: Not to me it doesn't...

Should start 1D67..., not 1D37...

Unless this is a "convertible" like that car that was recently on eBay, that was a modify (butchered) hard top car...

Here is all of the info for that VIN, from the decode on the home page of my website...

1972 Chevelle
2 Door Coupe
350 ci 2 bbl V-8 165 hp
Built at: Arlington
Unit number: 564174

Agree, if it's a convertible the VIN should have '67' and not '37' for a 2-dr sport coupe. Just curious, what does the trim tag say, '13637' or '13667'? If it says '13637', there's a good chance the VIN plate is from another car. Is the VIN on the title and does it match the VIN plate?

Worked with a fellow last couple of weeks over a 2-dr car with a 4-dr VIN. Turns out the VIN had been switched (it was held on with silicone) and he got his money back. His state DMV said they didn't care if the VIN showed a 2-dr or 4-dr, as long as it matched the title. Sounded strange to me, but then we don't know each state's quirks. You'd be hard pressed to ever sell the car (or explain it) if the VIN plate doesn't match the car.

FWIW, the '564174' is the vehicle sequence number starting at 500001 for '72; the VIN represents the 64,174th Chevelle off the Arlington line.

Hi Everybody,
Thanks for all the info. I agree..it does not sound legit to me. I will be asking a lot of questions today. It does not look chopped up...but you never know. I will get an independent opinion too as you suggested!
Thanks! I will probably be back with more questions after today.
Annette :D

Annette;

I'm in Albq. and would be happy to take a look at the car with my decoding books in hand if you'd like another set of eyes to help.

Drop me an e-mail if you'd like.

I agree with the others. Walk away real fast if it looks like either the VIN tag or Trim Tag have been messed with.

Steve