[mack648]

This is a tough one for me. I recently bought a 70 chevelle with ss454 badges on it from a guy at work. He says it's a clone, and I want to believe him, but when I run the VIN, there's a minute possibility that it's a true SS not just a Malibu.

So here's what I got so far:
VIN: 136370R202679
70 Chevelle Malibu V8 Sport Coupe Notch Back.

Trim tag says it's a gold cloth bench, with 55/55 code Champagn Gold exterior.

I bought the car with no motor or tranny, but it had a 454 in it previously, so it still has the mounts. It has the cowl induction hood with hood pin holes, it has the SS dash, the SS badges all around, and did have the SS rubber pad on the rear bumper. I don't know what has been changed or even if things have been, as he pro-streeted it, but the grille is silver not back, and the bumper lenses are amber, not clear.

Is there any way to tell if this is simply a measly Malibu V8? If it is, I have big plans for it, but if it's a true SS, it will get restored properly (minus the numbers matching engine that's already gone.)

Any help, even a resource to go to would be much appreciated. Is it possible to get a build record from Chevy by production sequence number?

 

[Sid Coleman]

Andy, only way you'll be able to figure out a 70 is to find the build sheet (good luck!). Take out the rear seat & look in the springs. If it's there, be VERY careful removing it! They're also found over the gas tank, around the heater box under the dash, and other places. Vin # doesn't prove SS after 68, sorry.

 

[droptop396]

I recently bought a 70 chevelle with ss454 badges on it from a guy at work. He says it's a clone,

I don't know of anybody on the planet that would tell you that a real SS is a clone car.
There are a million people out there that will try and tell you their clone is a real SS.

Your not the first guy that has come here thinking they have discovered something rare or unusual only to be disappointed. Good luck with your research, but I am leaning towards believing the seller that told you it is a clone as truth.

 

[hobbiesracer]

You have an Arlington built car, I found my build sheet under the sound deadner/tar paper on the drivers side floor pan by the high beam switch. Look there!

 

[elcamino]

Is it possible to get a build record from Chevy by production sequence number?

No records exist prior to 1977, Chevrolet just did not keep it, simple as that. Someone made a decision, starting in 1977 microfilm the invoices and destroy all records prior to that, no value to Chevrolet at the time.

 

[mack648]

Thanks guys! I'll start searching this weekend.

I'm not going to b disappointed, as I bought the car thinking it was a clone anyway. I just want to make sure it is beyond any doubt, so that I when I build it the way I want to, it's not a waste of a champagne gold, bench seat SS. I'm actually completely torn as far as hopes, I have big plans for it if it's just a malibu, but I'd also like it to be a SS in the rough.

I'll start digging in the meantime and post anything I find.

On a side note, I heard a rumor about "SS only" paint colors, is this true for a 70? If so, what were they?

 

[elcamino]

No, only in 1969, yellow and orange.

 

[LeoP]

No, only in 1969, yellow and orange.

Actually there were some earlier, in 64, Goldwood Yellow was an SS only color.

 

[mack648]

Found the build sheet! Right where you said it would be, under the sound deadening, by the headlight switch. It's in pretty bad shape though, the glue has darkened the paper, and it's falling apart. Luckily the Z codes are visible with a back light, and it's confirmed, it's not an SS car. I can't see the VIN, but I did manage to make out the color as gold and the plant as arlington too, so I'm pretty sure it's the original sheet.

It's kindof a bittersweet moment, but at least now I can continue down my original path.

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I'll definitely be posting and searching on here often.

 

[zookpr]

Found the build sheet! Right where you said it would be, under the sound deadening, by the headlight switch. It's in pretty bad shape though, the glue has darkened the paper, and it's falling apart. Luckily the Z codes are visible with a back light, and it's confirmed, it's not an SS car. I can't see the VIN, but I did manage to make out the color as gold and the plant as arlington too, so I'm pretty sure it's the original sheet.

It's kindof a bittersweet moment, but at least now I can continue down my original path.

Thanks everyone for the help and advice. I'll definitely be posting and searching on here often.

The cloth interior was suspect for me. Rare for any SS of that period. Sorry it wasn't what you hoped for. But,.... so what! Condition is more important if it's not an original matching numbers car. Enjoy what you have and "do it your way".