Where can I go to find documentation on my 72 SS El Camino? Web page or...?

If you mean documentation on your specific car (build sheet, Protecto Plate, dealer invoice, window sticker, etc.) there is nowhere you can go to get it. If you didn't get documentation with the car or haven't found any in the car you won't have any documentation on your car.

If the car has never been apart before you could try looking for the build sheet. Typical locations are under the carpet, under the back seat, in the springs of the seats, behind the door panels or on top of the gas tank.

Sorry..I guess I should have been more specific
I would like to know if there is a web page that will tell me where the car was sold and the history of ownership. I've already done the #s and these tell me that it is a correct SS model.
Thanks

To my knowledge, no such website exists. Would be cool if such a site were available.

What #s did you do to tell it is an SS?Is it a 454 or Canadian?

Doug..I went to my GM numbers book and ran the vin #s
It told me that what color on the body interior and that it came with a 350 with a 4 bbl and 350 trany The body style is a custom as all SSs' started out as a basic custom El Camino and then had the SS package added on as designated (So I understand). The only way I know it is a true SS is that I remember this car when it was new here in my home town and the original owner..but I would like to know more about the car for my own personal curiosity.

I think you're calling the body plate a VIN. The 1972 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (and there's only one VIN) will tell you what the model is (Chevelle, Malibu, El Camino, wagon, convertible, etc.), engine size, where it was assembled, and the production sequence number and would look something like this:

http://www.chevellestuff.com/72velle/tags/vin_l01.jpg

1D37U2L585744 being a Malibu (D) 2-dr sport coupe (37) with a 402-4 (U) engine, 1972 (2) and assembled in Los Angeles, CA. (L) and the sequence number of 585744 being the 85,744th 1972 Chevelle off the LA assembly line - 72 production sequence numbers started with 500001 at each plant.

The Fisher Body plate will tell you the year/trim level, trim color, paint, body assembly date and usually some other data processing numbers. Only if the engine is original will the suffix code tell you what trans was originally behind the car. Here's an example of a KC-built 72 body plate:

http://www.chevellestuff.com/72velle/tags/tt_kan05.jpg

It shows a 72 with Malibu trim level (13637), Kansas assembly plant (K), Fisher Body unit number (588903), black (704) bucket (A51) seats, red w/black vinyl top (75 B), assembly date (03B) and miscellaneous data processing tracking numbers.

Not picking mind you, but you have to be careful with terms. There is a basic El Camino (1C80x) and a Custom El Camino (1D80x) but there's no such animal as a "basic custom El Camino." ;)

Unless the VIN indicates a "W" as the fifth character, indicating a 454 engine, there's nothing on the body plate or VIN plate to indicate a SS. The "W" would verify it as such since the 454 could ONLY be ordered if the SS option was ordered as well. The 350 small block and the 400 big block (LS3) could be ordered with or without the SS option.

Anyway, as noted there's no compilation of data like you're looking for - previous history - sadly. A few thousand Chevelle owners would welcome such a thing! graemlins/beers.gif Even Carfax doesn't go back past 1981. Since you remember the car when it was new, any chance of contacting the original owner?

Thanks for the info, Dale. I always wondered if there was a way to tell a original SS by the "Body Plate #" (I hate when forget to be specific) Ha..Ha.
Anyway..there are some #s on the very bottom of the body plate #s and my code book tells me that these #s were to tell the assembly line of some special option and that the code book hasn't any knowledge of how to decifer these #s. Any idea?
Also..that is a good idea about getting ahold of the original owner. I bought it from the second owner but I can contact him to see if the guy is still around...What about the DMV?
Also.. what do you mean by the suffix of the # telling of the original trans if the engine is original?


Thanks,
7T2SS

Wish I could find out what the tracking numbers mean myself - as well as a few thousand 70 Velle owners I'm sure. I question whether the #s meant any kind of *special options* as I would think a pattern would begin to develop among the same engine/trans cars from the same plant. Granted I don't have a great number of examples of buildsheets - Atlanta seems to be my most prolific with 6 L34s, 3 LS5s, and 5 LS6s - and none of those codes (block 24) are the same. But, who knows? Need more samples I guess.

The suffix code I meant is the engine ID number such as T1025CRT. The "CRT" suffix will tell what the engine size/hp is as well as what transmission type is behind it. Example, CRT is a 70 LS5 w/manual trans where CRQ is the same engine w/TH400.

Dale..one quick question. The #s on my block are worn down from deck surfacing.( Only partly legible).It is a replacement 350 block. If I am not mistaken there are casting #s on the back of the block that tell me this is a '70 4 bolt main block. Am I correct in assuming that these #s tell the truth?
Thanks,
7T2SS