Team Chevelle banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

How to identify a real SS

Jump to Latest
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
L

lcoz31

· Registered
Joined
·
9 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Before I pull the trigger and spend the extra $$$ for a 66 or 67 SS, wanted to make sure it is the real McCoy.
I know the obvious; 138, star rivet for ID, open rivets for firewall tag, black grill 66/stainless 67, blackened dash, larger fuel line. Some of these can be altered.

Is the wood grain dash exclusive to the Malibu?
Are there code numbers to the side of the trunk hinge when opened?
I've read the rear suspension is modified. Any pictures or other reference showing the difference?
Thanks, Larry
 
#5 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
lcoz31 said:
Before I pull the trigger and spend the extra $$$ for a 66 or 67 SS, wanted to make sure it is the real McCoy.
I know the obvious; 138, star rivet for ID, open rivets for firewall tag, black grill 66/stainless 67, blackened dash, larger fuel line. Some of these can be altered.

Is the wood grain dash exclusive to the Malibu?
>> Yes
Are there code numbers to the side of the trunk hinge when opened?
>> Yes
Image

Shows series and week of stamping. Be aware that a replaced quarter panel with one from a salvaged car can still have the series and be within the margin of the timeframe.

I've read the rear suspension is modified. Any pictures or other reference showing the difference?
>> Kind of
Image

Image

The frame reinforcements are shown not only for SS396 Chevelles but L79 Chevelles as well.
Thanks, Larry
Click to expand...
This help?
 
#7 ·
Find a knowledgeable person to look at any of the cars you might be interested in.
There are some people out there that will go to great lengths to turn a Malibu into a Super Sport. Some of these cars are very obvious with mistakes lack of detail and a builder with very little knowledge to accuracy.
On the other hand there are some people who have the knowledge to forge a SS out of a Malibu that is very hard to discern from an original.
Educate yourself before you buy.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#8 ·
lcoz31 said:
Before I pull the trigger and spend the extra $$$ for a 66 or 67 SS, wanted to make sure it is the real McCoy.
I know the obvious; 138, star rivet for ID, open rivets for firewall tag, black grill 66/stainless 67, blackened dash, larger fuel line. Some of these can be altered.

Is the wood grain dash exclusive to the Malibu?
Are there code numbers to the side of the trunk hinge when opened?
I've read the rear suspension is modified. Any pictures or other reference showing the difference?
Thanks, Larry
Click to expand...

Blackened dash? For '66, both Malibu and SS used the black dash strip. For '67, the Malibu's got the wood grain...

Some of the "firewall" tags don't have open rivets...

Also, don't discount cars with "mistakes". For example, grills could have been changed. For '66, not only are the grills blacked out, but that treatment is continued onto the outer headlight bezels/grill extentions. However, all the repro (and NOS?) extentions are NOT blacked out, and it seems most people just bolt them on that way...

Also, it seems pretty common that many cars will have later "long water pump" setups that have been swapped in.

Use these "mistakes" to negotiate a price...


I thought the "numbers" next to the trunk lid were NOT an indication of true SS/ Malibu...

I also thought some of the 327 cars had the larger fuel lines as well... But 5/16" lines on an SS would raise a big flag...
 
#9 ·
1966_L78 said:
Also, don't discount cars with "mistakes". For example, grills could have been changed. For '66, not only are the grills blacked out, but that treatment is continued onto the outer headlight bezels/grill extentions. However, all the repro (and NOS?) extentions are NOT blacked out, and it seems most people just bolt them on that way...
Click to expand...
Same idea for 1967. Grille has two pair of two horizonal bright bars, all others (except Concours) have 3 bright bars. Same for headlamp bezels and grille extensions - aftermarket stuff is for 300/300 Deluxe/Malibu and most people DO NOT paint them correctly. SS396 and Concours grille center also has the cutout slots extending all the way to the headlamp bezels, others do not.

Image



I thought the "numbers" next to the trunk lid were NOT an indication of true SS/ Malibu...
Click to expand...
:noway: Jeff Helms convinced me.

I also thought some of the 327 cars had the larger fuel lines as well... But 5/16" lines on an SS would raise a big flag...
Click to expand...
L79 has 3/8" fuel lines on 67s if I'm not mistaken.
 
#14 ·
love projects like this. Looks like new quarters. I wonder what kind of shap it was when he started?

unpainted bell, then painted the Muncie orange? should have unpainted driveshaft and an orange 12 bolt to complete the theme.
 
#16 ·
#18 ·
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
About this Discussion
17 Replies
11 Participants
Last post:
DaleM
Team Chevelle
posts
5.3M
members
131K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to Chevrolet Chevelle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restorations, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Performance Engine Chevelle Tech Body Shop