[melrose]

I just discovered my new '72 SS 402 project car has holes in the body where the side trim used to be. Did SS cars ever come with the side mouldings? The car has the round guage dash, SS on the bumper and fenders, remote mirror on the DS but the door has been changed because the interior door paint is blue and the car is red. What else can I look at to differentiate this car to be a true SS.
Thanks Chris

No, there are no build sheets in the car.

 

[ss1970chev454]

Assuming you mean body side molding about half way up on the car. Ran the length of the door with a short piece on the front fender and a short piece in front of the RWW openings. So yes. it is possible your 72 SS had trim here.

 

[melrose]

Assuming you mean body side molding about half way up on the car. Ran the length of the door with a short piece on the front fender and a short piece in front of the RWW openings. So yes. it is possible your 72 SS had trim here.

Yes , that's the molding I meant. I am starting to feel a little less pissed off.
Thanks Chris

 

[keith66]

This might give you some help if you haven't read it already.

http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

 

[Mike72ss]

Chris, 1972 Chevelle SS's did not come from the factory with any body side or rocker moldings.

Probably could have been dealer installed, but like you already know, unless it has a W in the VIN for a 454, can be verified by a build sheet or Canadian docs, there is no way to be 100% sure.

Mike

 

[melrose]

Well which is it? One of says it's possible and the other not. The car also has 12 bolt rear and rear sway bar if that helps. I understand all these could have been added to the car but it all looks time corrosion correct. In other words, someone must converted this car to an SS along time ago in order for the SS parts on it to look like it came with the car.
Thanks Chris

 

[Dean]

I agree with Mike, no side molding.

12 bolt rear and rear sway bar is not necessarily an indication of SS

 

[melrose]

Wonderful! Did the SS's have remote mirrors on both doors or just the DS. I can't remember if the PS has a remote mirror.

 

[Jerry Briggs]

No side moldings on SS. 12 bolt rear does not mean the car is an SS. Jb

 

[dreis454]

Ds remote only

 

[Mr Chevelle]

I just discovered my new '72 SS 402 project car has holes in the body where the side trim used to be. Did SS cars ever come with the side mouldings? The car has the round guage dash, SS on the bumper and fenders, remote mirror on the DS but the door has been changed because the interior door paint is blue and the car is red. What else can I look at to differentiate this car to be a true SS.
Thanks Chris

No, there are no build sheets in the car.

Does the VIN # start with "1D37U2"? If it does, you either have an SS or Malibu 400. If it starts with 1D37W2 you have a SS. If its anything else you'll need the build sheet to figure it out.

1C37U2 would be a Heavy Chevy.

 

[melrose]

It's 1D37U2. Also the car has the origianl looking cowl hood that with the factory hole in the firewall for it, which yes I know could have been added as well ( a very long time ago).

 

[Dean]

Like Pat said the "U" means it came with a 402 so it's has to have been an SS OR a "Malibu 400" but IF it has the body side moldings it has to have been the "Malibu 400"

 

[melrose]

I just talked with the guy I bought it from who we do business with a a daily basis. I am going to leave the company name out of this but he owns a large GM musclecar parts company in northern IL. He siad the car is 110% an SS car. He basically made these points- The car has the original F41 suspension (which looks like it's never been apart), orig cowl induction hood (only avail. with SS option), original SS oval pod dash, original rusted out SS fenders, 12 bolt, buckets and other things that came standard with the SS package. Those options combined with the fact it was very rare for someone to order a big block without the SS option pretty much convince me it was an SS car that someone had put moldings on. THe thing that leans me that way is the F41 susp. which I believe was only avail. with the SS option.

 

[abodybill]

Wonderful! Did the SS's have remote mirrors on both doors or just the DS. I can't remember if the PS has a remote mirror.

Should have a drivers side sport mirror only.

 

[HoodRat]

Like Pat said the "U" means it came with a 402 so it's has to have been an SS OR a "Malibu 400" but IF it has the body side moldings it has to have been the "Malibu 400"

..a non malibu/SS also..i.e. plain jane chevelle could have been ordered with a 402..

 

[melrose]

Should have a drivers side sport mirror only.

Has that.

 

[melrose]

..a non malibu/SS also..i.e. plain jane chevelle could have been ordered with a 402..

Yeah but how common would it be to order that then tear it apart right away and install a F41 suspesnion, dash, add cowl ind, and other SS parts? Like I said the patina on the whole car is identical. I am going to take out the gas tank tomorrow morning hopefully. I just haven't been too optimistic a build sheet remains.

 

[dreis454]

all that stuff could be ordered or dealer installed........even the dash. U14 gauge option.

 

[melrose]

all that stuff could be ordered or dealer installed........even the dash. U14 gaufe option.

I understand that as a few other people have stated, and I know people have done stranger things, but would that make much sense to do back then. Let's pray there's a build sheet on the tank.