I purchased a 1969 ss sitting for 20 years how do I tell if it is a real ss id tag list ss a an option.

Build sheet. Look under the seats (between the springs/fabric), under the carpet, behind the backseat....these are a few places to find the build sheet. I'm sure there's more I've missed.

Only other way to tell besides documentation on a USA built 69 is if it has the original engine with the VIN stamped on it.

Originally posted by Dean:
Only other way to tell besides documentation on a USA built 69 is if it has the original engine with the VIN stamped on it. Dean, how does that prove an SS? It proves that is the original engine but I don't see where the SS part comes in, please explain.

The only engine in a 69 SS was the 396 and the 396 was only available in the SS cars.

If the car has an original numbers matching 396 then it's an SS

Or if the color codes are 72 Monaco Orange or 76 Daytona Yellow, only available on the SS.

Those paint codes will be on the body tag on the firewall under the hood... but you may have known that already.

Robert

As listed in the "Decoding Resources" post in this section, more detailed information can be found here: http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

Originally posted by Dean:
The only engine in a 69 SS was the 396 and the 396 was only available in the SS cars. Thanks, I know in later years you could get a big block in a non-SS. Didn't realize in 69 they only came in an SS.

Finally,

I am pretty sure but your statement above is only partially true. Only in 1970 could you get a 400(402 actually) Malibu. Don't think this was an option in 71&72... at least I have never seen it come up in "conversation" on this board.

Robert

Big blocks were available in Heavy Chevys.


The thing about the color code though is for $100.00 you can get a new trim tag with any color code you want on it.

Of course engines can be re stamped also, but not too many people can deck a block and re-stamp it so that it can't be detected.

On my 69 as in the case of many other 69s the VIN is stamped on the rough cast iron texture near the oil filter which would be smooth if ground off and the original engine code is stamped on the engine pad also.

That's not to say someone couldn't duplicate my engine and do it in such a way that it would be very hard to detect but they would have to deck the original numbers off the pad and put back the broach marks somehow unless they found a "correct" block with a blank engine pad.

I stand corrected...thanks Dean... I wasn't aware of the Heavy Chevy thing.

Robert

Originally posted by Mytmouse:
Finally,

I am pretty sure but your statement above is only partially true. Only in 1970 could you get a 400(402 actually) Malibu. Don't think this was an option in 71&72... at least I have never seen it come up in "conversation" on this board.

Robert I have a 71 Malibu 400 Conv. it is a 402 original drivetrain.

I stand corrected again... going to get a complex at this rate... but am curious why I have not seen this discussion before. I know the 70 400 Malibu had been discussed and there was someone from this board that had an article on the net about it. I want to say it was Coppertop but I am probably wrong there again.

Robert

Edit: I did a search and it was Coppertop. I founf the link to the article but it doesn't seem to work. http://home.netcom.com/~radiojoe/Malibu.html

I know in 1972 you could any engine in a Malibu except a 454 which you can only get in an SS. You could also order the gauge package in any Malibu.

Mike

Originally posted by Mytmouse:
I stand corrected again... going to get a complex at this rate... but am curious why I have not seen this discussion before. I know the 70 400 Malibu had been discussed and there was someone from this board that had an article on the net about it. I want to say it was Coppertop but I am probably wrong there again.

Robert

Edit: I did a search and it was Coppertop. I founf the link to the article but it doesn't seem to work. http://home.netcom.com/~radiojoe/Malibu.html I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and let you guys sort it out. smile.gif

Figured I had better clarify... I am not disputing Redman or Mike at all. After being corrected, I did some searching on this board and found what they said about the 71& 72 400 Malibu's to be substantiated according to information on this board. I was merely indicating that my knowledge stopped at 70 and that was based on a "paper" that I recalled reading about 5 years ago written by Coppertop. And that I remember the 70 400 Malibu being discussed at some length here in the past and I don't ever remember the 71&72 coming up in the discussion... hence my ignorance

Final Clarification: Finally, Redman, Dean, & Mike were right and I was wrong but not so bad as I learned something today so it was worthwhile getting up ;)

Robert

We are all learning everyday hopefully. I did not know much about these 400’s until I ended up with one and I am sure that I will be learning more.

Nelson

Yeah so anyway, In the 1969 Production year... Look for the 72 or 76 paint code. Big block rag joint, disc brakes, 12 bolt, Malibu trim holes in the 1/4s along the lower body line of the car and next to the marker light on the fenders. See if the Friggin emblems are even on straight. Look for punched vs drilled emblem holes. Decorative strip over the glove box that says SS vs Malibu.

Originally posted by YenkoChevelle69:
Yeah so anyway, In the 1969 Production year... Look for the 72 or 76 paint code. Big block rag joint, disc brakes, 12 bolt, Malibu trim holes in the 1/4s along the lower body line of the car and next to the marker light on the fenders. See if the Friggin emblems are even on straight. Look for punched vs drilled emblem holes. Decorative strip over the glove box that says SS vs Malibu. Good points but none of it is real proof

Another "tell" on a '69 that's overlooked is the fuel line routing around the control arm at the front. Its different on BB cars due to heating caused by the exhaust. I saw a post somewhere with pictures about this. Sure enough, I looked at mine and it was like the photo. (Mine had build sheet and PoP to prove SS)

Originally posted by Mytmouse:
Figured I had better clarify... I am not disputing Redman or Mike at all. After being corrected, I did some searching on this board and found what they said about the 71& 72 400 Malibu's to be substantiated according to information on this board. I was merely indicating that my knowledge stopped at 70 and that was based on a "paper" that I recalled reading about 5 years ago written by Coppertop. And that I remember the 70 400 Malibu being discussed at some length here in the past and I don't ever remember the 71&72 coming up in the discussion... hence my ignorance

Final Clarification: Finally, Redman, Dean, & Mike were right and I was wrong but not so bad as I learned something today so it was worthwhile getting up ;)

Robert Robert, I think you misunderstood me. I said I was going to keep my mouth shut because I don't know enough about this subject to add to it. I'll just read the posts and learn from you guys, and I did. I was not referring to anyone else in anyway. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

build sheet can also be under gas tank found em there before here his some pointers most folks will miss first grab rear end lower control arm should be boxed on bottom should be 12 bolt look for sway bar of course emblems pull a emblem check & see if they look and see if hole are homade measure sway bars of couse disc brakes is it a factory tach car?? 4 spd. or automatic??? look & see if rag joint bolts or is pressed on if you know chevelle`s you can kind`ive look car over & establish opinion right away 20 years ago ss cars were a dime a dozen i bet it is real

Originally posted by vintagegmsalvage:
build sheet can also be under gas tank found em there before here his some pointers most folks will miss first grab rear end lower control arm should be boxed on bottom should be 12 bolt look for sway bar of course emblems pull a emblem check & see if they look and see if hole are homade measure sway bars of couse disc brakes is it a factory tach car?? 4 spd. or automatic??? look & see if rag joint bolts or is pressed on if you know chevelle`s you can kind`ive look car over & establish opinion right away 20 years ago ss cars were a dime a dozen i bet it is real Just remember, any part or piece that could have been added/changed anytime in the last 35 years does not necessarily prove that it was an original SS car.

Rear sway bars were not part of the SS option in 1969.