I have a 71 Chevelle SS that I purchased from a family member who owned the car since 1972. I am certain that this car is an original "SS", as its been in the family for over 25 years with only routine maintainance being performed. The car has a 350 w/ a 2 barrel carb. The decal on the air cleaner reads 350 turbo fire....245 horsepower. It has a turbo 350 trans. All of the ss appearance trim (inside and out)is present.

I was told by several friends that an "ss" did not come with that motor. I was also told that all "ss" models have a black grill, as mine is a light grey with chrome with the ss emblem(perhaps the black wore off?)

I would appreciate any comments. Thanks. EJB.

Well, in 71 and 72 you could get an 'SS' with a 350. I don't have a 350-245hp with a TH350 on my 71 engine code list only one with a powerglide. The trans was probably changed.
Hope this helps.

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Steve
64SS-327-4spd-sold to Original owner!
In process of finding a 65
Team Chevelle Member #71

I have a 71 SS that came with the 245hp 350. By 72 you could get a 130hp(net) 307 in an SS also. The grills were black with silver trim.

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JT
71 SS 350 soon to be Vortec 355 then a 454
www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports (http://www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports)




[This message has been edited by L6571SS (edited 07-30-99).]

The grill is probably a replacement...they only come all silver.....you had to paint it to black it out yourself. Not sure about the motor being correct......but I am pretty sure that a 350 w/ a 2 BRL was available as part of the SS option.

Yes, beginning in 1971 you could get the SS option with a small block engine.

My 71 literture shows the HP rating to be 240hp for the 2-BBL 350, the available transmissions for this engine were 3-speed, 4-speed or TH350. A powerglide was not available with anything bigger then the 250-L6 or the 307-V8.

You had to order an optional engine to be able to order the SS option. It was not available with the standard engines, 250 or 307!
Sorry but thats what the Chevrolet Literture of the day says, I have seen quite a few 71 and 72 SS's with 350's but none with 307. All the 307 SS's that are said to be out there are most likely really Heavy Chevys. I was walking the car lots in 1970,71,72 and I never found any 307 SS's. I purchased a 72 SS with a 350 4BBL carb, there were plenty 350-2BBL on the lots. I had owned a 1970 SS454 and traded it in, too costly to own, 9mpg and high insurance rates. I also owned a 73 SS350. All these were new cars!




[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 07-30-99).]

I remember reading in an old magazine about a comparision between a 307 SS Chevelle,302 Torino 500,and 318 Satellite.All were 71 models.I remember the Mopar won.I couldn't believe a 307 SS!It was a magazine from the time period so those cars are real

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Dean Ciampi
Autumn Gold 1970 LS6 Chevelle
Team Chevelle Gold #52 Aces #3094

What I have read is that in 72 if you were in Cali and wanted a SS all you could buy was a 307 because of all the emissions BS.

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JT
71 SS 350 soon to be Vortec 355 then a 454
www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports (http://www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports)

Dean,

I know this has been talked about before and no one has ever come up with a legimate SS307 car to my knowledge.

The 307 V8 contradicates all the Chevy options literure and sales albums of those days which said you had to order an optional (extra cost) V8 to get the SS option, the 307 was the base V8 for the Chevelle. All the engine charts list only the 350 and up engine as avaialble with SS.

Most of the info I have indicates the Heavy Chevy was available with any engine except a 454 and was introduced mid-year 71 to compete with the Road Runner etc. The 307 came only with a 3 speed or powerglide and the only optional tranny was the TH350. A SS without a 4-speed option? Unthinkable?

I have a reprint of a 1971 SS350 Road Test Magazine article in front of me now. It leads one to believe you can get any engine in the SS but not according to Chevy. Any chance you can remember where you seen it. Think, I sure would like to find it. Now remember you can't always beieve what you read in magzines and the such. Maybe we find out once and for all.


[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 07-31-99).]

All I can remember was that it was a comparision test between the Chevelle,Satellite,and Torino.It was a vintage magazine from the time period and I don't recall if it was Car Life or Road Test.It showed the 3 cars in a supermarket parking lot.Tile read something like Budget ----?It was a while ago so maybe I am wrong but I would love to find that article!

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Dean Ciampi
Autumn Gold 1970 LS6 Chevelle
Team Chevelle Gold #52 Aces #3094

Motor Trend June 1971- The Invisable Cars comparison test

1971 350 Chevelle
1971 351 Torino
1971 318 Satallite

Motor Trend March 1972- Chevelle vs Torino comparasion test

1972 350 Chevelle 2 door
1972 350 Chevelle 4 door (woo-hoo!)
1972 351 Torino 2 door
1972 429 Torino 4 door



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Francis Taracido Gold# 201 :)
Sniper0666@aol.com
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man.
Oh No! You Know She's Got To Go!
Go Go Quadzilla!
members.aol.com/sniper0666/page/index.html (http://members.aol.com/sniper0666/page/index.html)

Yes, in '72 you could get a 307 in an SS. This makes some cringe, but it's true. I asked a similar question a long time ago and someone said they new a couple in the Illinois area that had a matching #'s all original (bought new after they got married) 1972 Chevelle SS with a 307.

In '71 you could "order-down" way to the 350 2bbl for the SS cars. Don't know about the 307. In '72 yes you could order the 307 in an SS. (except for emissions, state mandates, what ever in some state(s).)

The SS was pushed into the "background" metaphorically and literally in 1972. Look at the '72 Chevelle brochure with the centerfold of all the cars 2door, 4door, etc. In the lonely far distance is a red SS with no SS stripes even! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

However the mighty 307 continues to power great Chevrolets today... http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif ahh yes.

1) 350 - 2 barrel is totally legit for a '71 & later Chevelle & El Camino SS

2) The only SS 307 possible was the '68 Impala Super Sport & the '73 Nova SS

3) The 307 was not even legal for registration in '72 on a new car (even the '72 Pontiac Ventura II used a 350 Pontiac for California whereas 49 states & Canada got 307 Chevy power); big-block Chevies (402/454) were not offered in California for '72 either.

4) I have the June '71 Motor Trend with the 350-2 Chevelle SS. Road Test in June '71 also ran a test of a Chevelle SS with a 350, a 4 barrel L48 though.

72 was the only year you could get a 307 in a Chevelle SS. Just look at a 72 Chevelle sales brouchure. Keep in mind that from 69 on all SS Chevelles were a malibu with an SS option. In 1969, GM dropped the super sport as an actual model and only offered it as an option. That is why the VIN won't tell you if it is an SS or not.
But I know what you mean, Who wants a 307 in a Chevelle SS any way, let alone a smallblock http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

From the '72 Chevelle sales brochure, page 9:
'...If you order an SS you have to specify the optional V8 engine you want. It's no problem. There are two different 350-cu.in., a 400-cu.in. or even (and only on the SS) the famous Turbo-Jet 454. '
Remember, in Chevyspeak when they said optional they meant not the standard V8 (307). I think that's what caught Terry Boyce in his excellent book 'Super Sports 1961 - 1976'
Since the SS was an option from '69 onward it was not an SS by just the serial #. To find a matching number SS 307, all you need is a matching number Malibu with a 307. That's exactly what it is. Of course you could modify it into a home-brew SS, and the 307's serial # would still match the v.i.n (which doesn't say whether it's an SS or not). I'm very sceptical of such an animal, but never say never. It wouldn't be the 1st time Chevy has put it together the way they said they wouldn't.

I agree with Cam. I am looking at a 1972 Sale's brochure, the only engine it shows that are available with SS equipment are;
350 2BC
350 4BC
400 4BC
454 4BC

The 4-speed tranny was not available with the 307 V8. All SS engine's had this option available. Most people think the 307 is an optional V8 but its not, its the base (standard) engine for the Malibu.

In my sales brochure on page 11 it says
if you order an SS you have to specify the V8 engine you want. It's no problem. There's a 307-cu-in., two different 350-cu-in., a 400-cu.-in or even (and only in the SS) the famous turbo-jet 454. You want, we've got
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif

Hmmmm. This is a theory I have based on whether or not the brochure is a revised printing or not. If the 307 is listed and 'R-1' doesn't appear on the back cover by the litho # then it may very well be a typo. If it does say R-1 then perhaps it truly was offered mid-year or simply corrected an earlier printing. Sometimes at car shows GM would have an insert in the brochure indicating that some info should be revised or corrected.
My Canadian brochure is not a revision but a 1st printing. In a James Maloney book from '86, 'Chevelle and Monte Carlo' there is a reprint of a detailed model option spec sheet by Chevrolet that specifically says that the 350 - 2 is at least required, as is an optional trans.

Do you have a engine chart in your brochure. Does it list all the engines with little "+" that says which is available with SS? My buddy has a 71 dealer order manual with all the options etc for the entire line. I going to see if I can use it.

Here's what is says on back page of the brocure I have, on the bottom in fine print. "All illustrations and specifications contained in this literture are based on the latest product information available at the time of publication. The right is reserved to make changes at any time in prices, colors, materials, equipment, specifications and models, and to discontinue models".

Because the brochure hints that the SS could be had with the 307 does not mean its true. The engine charts I have state the contrary, it does not show the 307 as available. Chevy's use of the term specify is the question, it means to option it.

Question-Why would you have to specify a V8 if you ordered the SS, the 307 was the standard V8 engine and would not have to be specified!

The only way to solve this question it to have someone step up SS307, with a legitimate build sheet.

[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 08-03-99).]

Hey Cam,
Mine says R-1 on the lower right hand corner on the back.
Oh well I don't know what else to say

Jeff

My '72 Chevelle sales brochure states:
"If you order an SS you have to specify the V8 engine you want. It's no problem. There's a 307-cu.-in., two different 350-cu.-in., a 400-cu.-in., or even (and only on the SS) the famous Turbo-Jet 454."

On the back it is dated "September, 1971".

My '72 El Camino sales brochure states:
"Here's what El Camino SS adds up to. Available engines up to a 454 V8 (350 and 400 V8's are also available on order)."

I would say that this is inconclusive.
This brochure is dated "AUGUST, 1971".

My '72 GMC Sprint sales brochure states:
(when talking about the Sprint SP which is basically the same thing as the El Camino SS)
"SPRINT SP Equipment is available only on V-8 powered custom models"

This brochure is dated "8/71".

Sales brochures are notorious for having incorrect information, since they were usually printed before actual production of the cars began.

I was pretty sure that the '72 SS-307 was built, but now I'm not so sure. I have never seen or heard of one. I think I have located the definitive piece of documentation. I just looked again at the "info pack" that Chevrolet sent me on the '72 El Camino. It includes the options price list, dated "January 28, 1972". It says:
"SS Equipment. Custom El Camino model with optional engine and transmission only."

I'd say that means there were no SS-307s (nor were there any SS-350s with a 3-speed manual).

Does anyone have the "info pack" (or options price list) for a '72 Chevelle ?

ejb
when I was 15 my freind down the street had a 71 ss given to him by his uncle! the car was 8 years old at the time,56.000 miles and all,I mean all original!it had the 350-2 245 h.p.it had a silver/ gray grill.burnt orange with black stripes,black vinyltop,very nice and original. hope this helps.67rat member #199

[This message has been edited by 67RAT (edited 08-05-99).]

[This message has been edited by 67RAT (edited 08-05-99).]

[This message has been edited by 67RAT (edited 08-05-99).]

I found a link to an on-line '72 U.S. brochure, 1st printing. A couple of items:
http://www.thuntek.net/annes/chevy/book/p11.jpg

http://www.thuntek.net/annes/chevy/book/p15.jpg

http://www.thuntek.net/annes/chevy/book/bcover.jpg

I think Dan Carr puts it into perspective.

Also, if you read between the lines on the options price list, you could conclude that it was possible to get a '71 or '72 SS-350 with a Powerglide 2-speed automatic. That would sure be an oddity (I've never seen such an animal).

Well, I may have spoken too quickly.
Looking again at the various documents, it looks like the Powerglide was not an option with the '71-'72 350.
So, no SS Powerglide cars after '68.

On the other hand, it looks like the '71-'72 3-speed manual, M11, was technically an *optional* transmission. The M11 was the floor mounted option, as opposed to the standard 3-speed which was column-mounted.

So, there *may* have been a '71-'72 SS-350 with a 3-speed manual (floor shift only).

My information shows the the HD 3-speed (M13)as available only on the 300hp Turbo-Jet 400 (402) and that was an SS available engine, both in 71 and 72. My info comes from engine charts for the El Camino's but the Chevelle would more than likely be identical.



[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 08-06-99).]

Yes, there was also a different *heavy duty* 3-speed manual available with the 402 in '71-'72. This was actually the base transmission for the 402. They were available in SS and non-SS cars. Either way they are rare.

When it comes to the small-blocks, however, the only available 3-speed manuals were the standard duty units. The base (column-mounted) transmission did not have an RPO, but the floor-mounted version was M11 (it was basically the same transmission as the column units, but with slightly different gear ratios).

BTW, I think the M13 heavy duty 3-speed was a Borg-Warner unit, and was last used in '68. From '69-'72 the heavy duty 3-speed manual was the Muncie MC1.
The heavy-duty 3-speed manuals were floor mounted only.

Are you sure on the that M11 option, because my Chevy Parts Catalog lists M11 as Floor Shift Transmission Control not a transmission option. Could it a M15 or MC3 trans with a M11 option?

For your info, the 3-speed tranny options listed in the options list in Parts Catalog #11. [exactly as listed]

M13=Heavy Duty 3-Speed Transmission
M15=3-Speed Transmission
MC1=HD 3-Speed Transmission
MC3=3-Speed Transmission

[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 08-07-99).]

Hmm...
The options price list (for El Camino), dated "January 28, 1972" lists the standard transmission as a "(Std) ZW4" column mounted 3-speed manual.
This transmission was avaialble with the L6, 307, and 350-2. The option list also shows the floor mounted "M11" for the 350-2 and 350-4. The gear ratios in the M11 are slightly different than the ZW4.

The *only* other 3-speed listed is the "Special 3-speed MC1" for the 402. This is all similar to what is shown for '71 also.