Trying to decode the original paint and options.

1D37H2L563994

Any clarification is appreciated!

The VIN won't give the information you're looking for.
You need to post the information off the body tag.

What this does tell you is:
1D37H2L563994
1 = Chevrolet div of GM
D = Malibu, Concours, or Custom El Camino
37 = 2 Door Sport Coupe
H = 350cid, 165hp, 2V carb
2 = 1972
L = Los Angles/Van Nuys California assy plant
563994 = Assy plant sequence #

Like Dean says you need the data off the body/cowl tag. It is located under the hood, drivers side up near the windshield on the cowl.

Thank You very much...Here is what I found:
I tried to do a rub with pencil on paper to get the info, might have to pull it ouf of the garage and wait till daylight - here is what I found so far:
ST 72-13637 L 0492
TH 730 A52 50 50
...3C 89754 2205...

TH 730 A52 50 50
...3C 89754 2205...

TH should be TR = Trim
730 = Lt. Covert Rianon Cloth, Ant. Lt. Covert Coated Fabric interior
A52 = Bench Seat
50 50 = Covert Tan upper and lower paint
3C = Build date of March, 3rd week.
rest are data processing #'s not decodable

The two sets of numbers after the build date should be 6-digits in length - at least they are on all LA tags I have samples of.

The first 6 are a tracking number from the build sheet in block 24. The second 6 is a combination of two numbers, the first two are the Schedule Number from block 10 and the last 4 are also from block 24.

See body tag (http://www.chevellestuff.com/72velle/tags/tt_l03_kevin_shaw.jpg) and corresponding build sheet (http://www.chevellestuff.com/72velle/buildsheets/vannuys/bs_vn03_kevin_shaw.jpg)

Meaning...? As stated, internal tracking codes to ensure correct parts installed on correct car. Use...? Only real use of them now is IF you have a build sheet, it will verify the sheet for that particular car. This is one area that people creating "display" build sheets error.

Dale, I checked on my 71 conv. it was built in LA and it has the six digits. It is BDY 00026.