I HAVE A 72 CHEVELLE VIN SAYS MALIBU , DID GM PUT A SS PACKAGE ON IT ,IF SO WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE. THANKS

I had the same problem. I was pissed until I did a little homework . The Chevelle SS that year was a malibu. I don't know why. The 72 is the only year you can not decode the car by vin and cowl tags. :rolleyes:

The 72 is the only year you can not decode the car by vin and cowl tags. Incorrect...

1969-1972 SS cars cannot be decoded by the VIN or cowl tags (need other documentation since the SS package was an option (not a separate model)... not just 1972...

And actually, I believe 1972 CAN be decoded IF it had a 454. The engine code is listed in the 1972 VIN, and only the SS could have the 454... So if your 72 has the correct code for the 454, it was also an SS... Sorry I forgot what that code is...

HERE http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

First off, all SSs from 1969 on were based on the Malibu series (136xx) and the SS was an option package as opposed to a separate model like the 64-68; 66-68 were SS396 and 64-65 were Malibu SS and could have a V8 or a L6 but still identified by the VIN.

The 1972 model year was the first year Chevelles had the installed engine as part of the VIN. From 1964 to 1971, you could only tell if it was a V8 (even third number, 2..4..6..8) or a L6 (odd third number, 1..3..5..7). Exceptions were 66-68 with the SS396 being a separate model (138xx) and easily identified. The '69 through '72 are relatively easy to fake as the SS was an option (like a radio or A/C) so creating a clone/fake/etc. is not that difficult. The '71 model year was the first to offer the 350 (2bbl and 4bbl) with the SS option package as well as the 396/402 and 454. Only the 454 got numbers (SS454) while the others only had 'SS'. The '72 model year offered the same engines with the SS option but the engines could also be ordered without the SS option.

The one exception is the 454. When that was ordered, it mandated the SS option and the 454 engine is shown as the letter 'W' in the fifth character position of the VIN; not the body number plate as that still used the 136xx designation. BTW, a 'U' indicates a 402, 'J' indicates a 350-4, and 'H' is a 350-2.

Originally posted by Dale McIntosh:
First off, all SSs from 1969 on were based on the Malibu series (136xx) and the SS was an option package as opposed to a separate model like the 64-68; 66-68 were SS396 and 64-65 were Malibu SS and could have a V8 or a L6 but still identified by the VIN. Not entirely true, in 1969 alone the SS396 package could have been ordered on the 300 body style as a two-door post car.

I followed the link you guys gave about the SS information, how to spot and came across this statement:

'In 1970, there were two different SS packages available. One was the "Z25" SS-396 and the other was the "Z15" SS-454. '

This is wrong because my build sheet says this for my SS ID:
=ZL3 SS 396 CONVERSN

So, that would be 3 SS packages.

No its correct.

Z15 and Z25 were the sales option codes for the included engine and ZL3 was the assembly plant build code. Don't ask me why, its just how the programmed that ne fangled Burroughs punch card computer system.

Z15 = SS 454 option
Z25 = SS 396 option

Originally posted by Rich-L79:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Dale McIntosh:
First off, all SSs from 1969 on were based on the Malibu series (136xx) and the SS was an option package as opposed to a separate model like the 64-68; 66-68 were SS396 and 64-65 were Malibu SS and could have a V8 or a L6 but still identified by the VIN. Not entirely true, in 1969 alone the SS396 package could have been ordered on the 300 body style as a two-door post car. </font>[/QUOTE]Correct, goofed on the 69s...and I used to have one too. But to really get technical, it was the 300 Deluxe (the last Chevelle 300 was in '68) and could be ordered on the 2-dr sedan (post), 13427 or the 2-dr coupe (hardtop), 13437 as well as the Malibu 2-dr sport coupe, 13637, convertible, 13667, and Custom El Camino, 13680. Keep me straight there Scooter! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Originally posted by ratbldr:
'In 1970, there were two different SS packages available. One was the "Z25" SS-396 and the other was the "Z15" SS-454. '

This is wrong because my build sheet says this for my SS ID:
=ZL3 SS 396 CONVERSN

So, that would be 3 SS packages. It varied from plant to plant exactly how it was listed on the build sheet.

Baltimore:
#ZL3 SS396 CONVERS

Van Nuys & Atlanta:
=ZL3 SS 396 CONVERSN

Kansas City:
=ZL3 SS 396 CONV
...and...
Z25 SS 396 PKG (on the same build sheet)

I'd say your car was built in either Van Nuys or Atlanta, right? And, if you closely at the build sheet in the lower right-hand corner, the pound sign (#) or equal sign (=) in some cases, meant that the body shop was to take note of the option as well...install badges, grille, etc. for the 'SS 396 conversion.' Odd, the the 454 option did not have the note for the body shops. :confused:

I don't have a 396 build sheet for Arlington or Flint so I don't know exactly how theirs are shown in the options.

454 optioned cars were a bit different in wording as well:
Arlington:
Z15 SS 454 PKG

Atlanta:
Z15 454 SS PKG

Baltimore:
Z15 SS 454 CONVER

Van Nuys:
Z15 454 V8 SS PKG

Kansas City:
Z15 SS 454 PKG

How About The Instrument Cluster Don't Ss Models Have Round Dials With Needle Gages Versus Squere With Idiot Lites?

How About The Instrument Cluster Don't Ss Models Have Round Dials With Needle Gages Versus Squere With Idiot Lites?

A "square" gauge dash in a 72, if original, definitely means the car is not an SS.

How About The Instrument Cluster Don't Ss Models Have Round Dials With Needle Gages Versus Squere With Idiot Lites?
Yes and no. The SS cars have a round pod type dash, however, gauges were optional, not standard. Idiot lights were standard. All non SS cars have a rectangular or "sweep" style dash.