We all agree that SS cars carry a 138 vin prior too '70 now the big question is that it seems that it is genberal knowledge that prior to '66 that a SS could come with any engine that was offered by Chevrolet, with this we shall alll agree right? so the big question is if a '64 or 65 with a 6 cyl. did not carry a 138 vin code it should be a 137 vin. I bring this up because while reading my service manual from Chevy for my '66 while readin model ID'S it showes that V/8 SS's are 13817 for coupe and 13867 for the conv. cars respectively then it showes that 13717 coupe and 13767 for the conv. respectively are for the 6 cyl cars. So given this information not all Super Sport cars carry the 138 vin designation so those of us with a 137 cars are also owners of the real deal as well just thought I'd pass this little tid bit along. To all of us Dads out there have a nice Fathers Day. Gene............

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Gene Callahan
Canoga Park Ca.
66 Conv.
Gold # 55
S.C.C.C.C

gene c, I think you missed the point on the VIN #s, the early 6 cyl SS's,of which I have one, have a VIN that starts with 45767, which denotes it as a 64,6cyl,conv,SS car. I can't speak for the later cars,cause I don't have one.

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Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of the low price is forgotten.

MarylandChevelleClub (http://www.clark.net/pub/chevelle/mcc.htm)

From my source (Year One catalog and Chevrolet Parts and Accessories Catalog dated August 1971), not entirely true...the 64 SS numbers were different and only 65, 66, 67, and 68 carried the 138 prefix designating an SS.

According to my Chevrolet Parts Catalog there are 137 prefixes for the 65 Malibu SS, none in 66 and in 67 only for the Concours wagon.

In 69 the "138" was Concours Estate 4-door wagon
In 70 the "138" was the wagon plus the MC
In 71 the "138" was the MC
In 72 the model numbers were totally different.

The SS package was an option in 64 and 65 and could be ordered with any coupe/convert - even a 6-cyl. In 69 it again became an option with no way of verifying except build sheet. The 66-67-68 years were the only ones with the SS being a model and not just an option.

6-cyl 64 SS was 5737 and 5767 (coupe/conv)
8-cyl 64 SS was 5837 and 5867

6-cyl 65 SS was 13737 and 13767 (coupe/conv)
8-cyl 65 SS was 13837 and 13867

8-cyl 66,67, and 68 was 13817 and 13867

In 69 it became an option instead of a model and could be ordered even on the lowly 300 Coupe. Nick Lewis (L89CDAN) has one and I had one...although Nick's is a 375 and mine was a 325.

Hope this helps. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif




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Dale McIntosh
ACES #1709
Team Chevelle #92
www.dalesplace.com (http://www.dalesplace.com)

Thanks for the reply guys I was just guessing on the #'s for 64 65 cars not having any refrence material on these cars. This is for you Dale as far as the factory service manual goes it says that 138 cars were V/8 cars and 137 cars are 6 cyl cars which was suprising to me as I trhought that 6 cyl's were not avalible in SS's cars after 65 I do not know what happened after because of the lack of refrence material but with this all said and done I own a 66 SS with a 137 vin # I've owned this car for a year and a half and I'm just finding all these little things out. What made me curious about all of this is when I was in the process of my Disc brake conversion and rebuilding the front end I came across SS only parts such as the big block frame pads which could have been put in at any time during the past 34 years of life but as I looked down the fram I saw that the car has a 3/8" fuel line also an SS only item so with out a build sheet too go by I can only assume that this car began life as a 6 cyl. car and had a dealer conversion too a big block. I'm now on the hunt for the buil;d sheet I don't think that I will find it in the seat as they have been re-covered, so my only option is under the gas tank I don't think it has ever been out of the car I can only hope it's there. Thanks for all of your input have a great day Gene.............

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Gene Callahan
Canoga Park Ca.
66 Conv.
Gold # 55
S.C.C.C.C

Well, then you've got the only documented 66 SS with "137" that I've ever heard of. Maybe mislabeled at the assembly plant? There were no 6-cyl SS's after 65, you're right on that point.

Aside from the other sources, I quote from Skip Cain's resto page, "What to look for: First and most obvious check the VIN. A true Supersport (66 and 67) will be 13817 or 13867 if a convertible. Also check the rivets that fasten the VIN tag and cowl tag to the car. The cowl tag rivets should have hollow heads, and the VIN tag rivets are special star shaped. Regular hardware type rivets should raise a flag, as these tags have probably been replaced. Another area to check is underneath the car. Bonafide Supersports used a pair of special rear suspension supports. These tied in to the upper and lower control arm mounting points(above the mufflers.) Also check the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump. Big block cars used 3/8” fuel lines. Most small block cars used the 5/16” lines. The more obvious differences are front grills, rear end (only 12 bolts were used.) and no body side mouldings or holes for the mouldings. One guy tried to explain to me that the car I was looking at was a real Supersport, but both fenders, doors and quarterpanels were replaced from a Malibu."

You might check for a non-original VIN tag. Could be one of those like another thread recently where someone was selling a SS VIN "for display purposes only". Possibly the firewall area and/or door frame was replaced with a Malibu unit. (?) I've also heard of the prefix being stamped in the water runoff area under the trunk lid...it was on my 67.

The frame mounts and 3/8" fuel line are SS only but they're easy enough to change. Check for some of the other things that Skip mentions. Is the grille original? Is it riveted in place? Look for filled molding holes at the lower belt line.

Does the VIN on the title match the plate? I certainly don't want to get into a p*$$ing contest about it, but if the VIN is a legit "137", it's not a factory SS. AFter all, it's your car and you should enjoy it - regardless of its lineage. Right? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif



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Dale McIntosh
ACES #1709
Team Chevelle #92
www.dalesplace.com (http://www.dalesplace.com)