How to tell if a car is a true ss car

[rsrsfishslayers]

I am lookin for 70 chevelle ss what am I looking to know that it is a true ss I dont think it matters to much about the macthing numbers we are looking for a car to do shows and drive. Something we could take out and do cruzs with.
Thank you for you help
CPT. Ron 8) 8) 8)

[Tod74]

The VIN Number is the only real way to know for sure....The most obvious diference is the dash...although they are easily changed that is one place that many times doesn't get swapped when someone turns a malibu into an SS. The Super Sports had three circles in the dash with gauges and the plain Jane cars had the wide swooping speedometer.

[Harbone]

here is a link to a cowl tag decoder website...

http://www.chevellestuff.com/1970/trim_tag.htm

[Scooterz]

rsrs:

I might be wrong, but i am pretty sure that the VIN has to have a "138" code in it to be a true SS.

[RonOwensRacing]

tod74 is right you cant tell by the Vin tag on a 70 chevelle it doest specify the difference in the sport couple or the SS the dash very seldom gets changed in those cars number one they are hard to find used and the cluster is totally different and the wiring harness is also different but there is some unreal clones out there that would cost as much as a true SS .

[Scooterz]

Sorry guys, I too want to know about this one too...

I am confused... Tod said : "The VIN Number is the only way to know for sure"

rlmotorsports says: "tod74 is right you can't tell by the VIN tag on a 70 Chevelle"

I get the part about the dash cluster (round guage vs sweeping spedo, etc..) but how would a VIN on a 70 -vs- 67, 68,69 etc... having a 138 be an SS differ from a 1970SS?? Is the 70' VIN using a different code than the rest? I am curious myself as this is one of my favorite years of Chevelles. Scooter

[RonOwensRacing]

I'm sorry about the confusion on that tod74.
But still you can not tell by the vin on a 70 model here is a little more info for you though.

In 1970, there were two different SS packages available. One was the "Z25" SS-396 and the other was the "Z15" SS-454. There were only two engine choices for the SS-396: the 350 and 375 horsepower versions. It was a confusing year for 396 buyers. The 396 engines now actually displaced 402 cubic inches, but were still called a "396" when installed in an SS. There was also a new 330 horsepower "LS3" big-block "400" engine option available for the non-SS Malibu and El Camino Custom. To confuse things even further, there was a 400 cubic inch 2-bbl small-block available (only in the '70 Monte Carlo).

The Malibu "400" big-block was also actually a 402, and was basically an overbored version of the 325 horsepower 396 motor that had been available on the '68 and '69 SSs. The "Malibu 400" package, produced from '70-'72 on the Chevelle and El Camino is fairly scarce today. The reason is that many of these big-block vehicles have been converted to SS clones. In stock form, the Malibu 400 and El Camino 400 carried "400" emblems on the fenders.

A very limited number of SS Chevelles with the 375 HP 396 and the "L89" aluminum heads were produced in '70.

There were two engines available for the '70 SS-454 : the 360 horsepower "LS5" and the 450 horsepower "LS6". The '70 LS5 Chevelle is actually rarer than the '70 LS6 Chevelle. The LS6 was only available in the '70 Chevelle, the '70 El Camino, and the '71 Corvette. It was never available to the public in *any* other cars. The '70 LS5 motor used in the Corvette was identical to the Chevelle LS5, but for marketing reasons the Corvette rating was 390 horsepower. There was purported to be one known LS6 Chevelle with the L89 aluminum head option, but it is now generally believed that this car (and its documentation) is fake. Chevrolet also had an experimental LS7 engine that was supposed to be available in the '70 Corvette, but never materialized. However, the LS7 heads were available over the counter at GM dealers in '71 and '72. No factory built LS7 cars were ever sold to the public.

The '70 & up SS now had a completely different dash than the non-SS models. The '70 SS would have either "SS/396" or "SS/454" emblems on the fenders (and on the tailgate of the El Camino). The Chevelle SS had a white "SS" logo in the black rubber pad on the rear bumper. Both the Chevelle SS and El Camino SS had a large "SS" grille emblem (without any engine size).

The SS models also had a hood with a large bulge in the rear center. Hood stripes were an extra cost option with this hood. There was also a "Cowl Induction" option available. It had "Cowl Induction" emblems on either side of the bulge and a door on the top of the bulge that would open automatically when the engine needed extra air. The Cowl Induction option was NOT standard on any SS - it was always an extra cost item. The Cowl Induction option came with hood stripes. You could, however, delete the Cowl Induction stripes at no cost.You could get the stipes without the Cowl Induction option (at additional cost). All of the '70-'72 SS cars came with hood pins, except for some of the early '70 models (those built around April of 1970 or earlier) that were not ordered with Cowl Induction.

The '70 SS came with the same wheels used on the '69s.

[rsrsfishslayers]

rlmotorsports you are the man thanks for the good info its guys like you that keeps guys like me into cars. Thanks again
CPT.RON 8) 8) 8)

[ashbros]

rlmotorsports, Pretty nice job there. Trying to determine the identy of an actual 1970 SS is tough, but here are a few more area or clues that may help you.

Another area you can look at is the lower and upper rear control arms, If this had the f-41 rear suspension like all 70 SS chevelles had you will notice that these control arms appear to be boxed in. In the non SS versions the control arms look like a channel, or 3 sided.

Look beneath the underside of the rear seat for a build sheet to ne fastened to the heavy wire frame of the seat and also look behind the front dash near the radio heater area as well.

The vin number of the car is located on the vin tag and the rear left frame rail about a fott back from the rear bumper. Check to see that these vins match.

The dash & guage cluster is another helpful item. The standard malibu guage package way a long and narrow version that streached from left to right. the SS version had three distinct round guages and several other small guage clusters.The manual transmission SS package came with a factory tach I can not remember what guage replaced the tach in the automatic transmission version.

Also two types of SS steering Wheels, both with ss emblems
4 spoke and 2 spoke.

[Tod74]

Sorry guys, I too want to know about this one too...

I am confused... Tod said : "The VIN Number is the only way to know for sure"

rlmotorsports says: "tod74 is right you can't tell by the VIN tag on a 70 Chevelle"

I get the part about the dash cluster (round guage vs sweeping spedo, etc..) but how would a VIN on a 70 -vs- 67, 68,69 etc... having a 138 be an SS differ from a 1970SS?? Is the 70' VIN using a different code than the rest? I am curious myself as this is one of my favorite years of Chevelles. Scooter

My statement that you could tell by the VIN was just an assumtion....apparently an incorrect one. Used to a look at the dash was almost a sure fire way but anymore they sell those dashes everywhere (reproduction) and it isn't hard to change.I've had mine out (72 Chevelle). My car isn't a true Super Sport and the dash is the ONLY give away. I have the boxed control arms, disc brakes, sway bar on the rear etc.

[RonOwensRacing]

rlmotorsports you are the man thanks for the good info its guys like you that keeps guys like me into cars. Thanks again
CPT.RON 8) 8) 8)

Your welcome I'm kinda a freak for those car's also .

[Tod74]

Highjack Question

My 72 Chevelle came from Canada....at least the inner fenders did(they say General Motors of Canada...they are also plastic) were there any differences on the Canadian cars vs American?

[RonOwensRacing]

I don't think so Tod i think those are the aftermarket one's that came out a few years back i have tons of info on those cars that is one of my favorite cars ever built i have done lot of research on those cars for the last twenty years i have had about 14 of them and only 6 was real SS cars you can just about buy the car after market today.

[RonOwensRacing]

Highjack Question

My 72 Chevelle came from Canada....at least the inner fenders did(they say General Motors of Canada...they are also plastic) were there any differences on the Canadian cars vs American?

Tod here is some info on the 72 chevelle

This year, the government mandated that all engines be rated in "SAE NET" horsepower rather than the "GROSS" horsepower ratings used before. The "SS-454" package was still available, and although the '72 LS5 motor was virtually identical to the '71 LS5 motor, the '72 version was underrated at 270 horsepower due to governmental and insurance concerns. The '72 SS equipment was the same as in '71. It was, however, possible to order a '72 SS with any optional V8 (454, 402, 350-4, and 350-2). Some early sales literature implies that an SS-307 was available, but that is probably not the case since it was contradicted by some mid-year documents. Performance oriented options (especially hood stripes and Cowl Induction) were downplayed by all the Chevrolet literature. As a result, Cowl Induction production was even lower than in '71. The '72 Cowl Induction option could be ordered with the 454 or 402 engines. Interestingly, you could get a "Malibu 400" model with hood stripes even though these came with the non-SS "flat" hood. Only a few Malibus were ordered with hood stripes. This configuration was also available on the El Camino and Sprint.

The Heavy Chevy package was carried over, basically unchanged, from '71. The VIN on a '72 Heavy Chevy starts with 1C37, while the VIN on a V8 Malibu or SS coupe starts with 1D37.

The '72 GMC Sprint was available with the same equipment as before, including the SP package. Production of '72 Sprints was slightly higher than in '71. A total of 749 '72 SPs were built.

Starting in 1972, the 5th character in the VIN number of all GM vehicles indicated the vehicle's engine type. The engine codes for 1972 are as follows :

*

"W" - LS5 454 V8 4bbl
*

"U" - LS3 402 V8 4-bbl
*

"J" - 350 V8 4bbl
*

"H" - 350 V8 2bbl
*

"F" - 307 V8 2bbl
*

"D" - 250 L6 1bbl

Since the 454 was only available as part of the SS (or SP) package, any Chevelle, El Camino, or Sprint with a "W" as the fifth character in the VIN is a genuine SS-454 (or SP-454 in the case of the Sprint).There was no SS package for the '72 Monte Carlo, but unlike the others, it could be ordered with a 454 without an SS package.

1972 was the last year for a lot of things. For example, it was the last year for the LS5 454, the 396/402, and the 307. In '73 the Chevelle line was completely redesigned with driving comfort being the major theme rather than performance. There was still an SS-454 package available. It used the low-compression LS4 454 rated at 245 horsepower. This motor was less powerful than the earlier LS5, although with the right tuning, head porting and pistons it could equal the LS5. The LS4 had a cast crankshaft when mated to automatic transmissions, and a forged crankshaft when mated to a 4-speed manual. In 1973, an SS package was available with either a 350 or a 454 engine. A few post-'72 454/4-speed cars were built. These are seldom seen and are becoming more sought-after. Unlike previous years, it was possible to order the 454 without the SS package. There was also an SS package available for the '73 Chevelle wagon. These are fairly rare and few details are known. Baldwin Motion (famous for their hot "tuned" muscle cars of the late '60s) had one more card to play in '73. The '73 Baldwin Motion SS-454 Chevelle was the most potent of all the special cars that they had built. At least one example is known to have survived.

Around 1974 the "Laguna S-3" package was introduced. It was similar to the '73 Chevelle SS package. The "S-3" package was available only on the Chevelle, not the El Camino or Sprint (they still had the SS and SP packages). 1975 was the last year you could get a 454 in the Chevelle, El Camino, or Sprint. Like the earlier SS-454s, the '73-'75 SS-454s are scarce today. However, they are not in demand as much as the '72 and earlier SS-454s. The same is true for the SP-454, although it is even rarer than any '73-up SS-454.

[Scooterz]

Wow there is alot of info there! I had no idea the 70' was so confusing for indentification. I am going to cut & paste this stuff. I saw a 70' in a nearby rural town out in a field the other day I want to se if I can buy.

[Tod74]

I am currently resurecting mine since it got flooded last year...This car has no rust anywhere but I just let it sit around since getting the race car, and we all know what sitting does to them.I have not plated it since 1999...I love this car..It was my first car and I built the whole car . My best friend and I did all the bodywork and he painted it( we were both 18 at the time it was painted)......lots of memories with this one. :D Used to race it in "trophy" .It has a hydraulic cam 406 in it now, 4.10 12 bolt rearend .... but I'm gona put a 454 in it this time. I wish it were a 1970 however.



http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff253/Tod74/CopyofCHEVELLEPICTURE1.jpg

[Scooterz]

Tod,

My first Chevelle was a 72 (not as nice looking as yours however)... I miss that car. Nothing better than a Hot Rod that has alot of sentimental history. I could never find my 72 again to save my life. Anyways, I found a 70 in a field that is complete looking w/ the original hub caps on it & 307 emblems. I am going to try to make contact w/ the farmer who owns the property. Who knows... can't hurt to ask.

Thanks to all how posted about 70 Chevelle info, I have printed it & know better how to indentify them more. I hope to have one some day.

Tod- your Nova is almost the exact color of my 69 Camaro.... which was a Honda color w/ pearl in it... nice looking Nova.

[ashbros]

Regardless of the year she still looks like a purty dang nice ride 8)

[Tod74]

The nova is 1995 Ford Purple. It is also a turd. Needs painted badly. Take a picture in the late evening always makes them look better. :wink:

[Tod74]

Regardless of the year she still looks like a purty dang nice ride 8)


That picture was taken in 1995...The paint is faded now, and I just pulled the vinyl top off last week and started the bodywork... I said there was no rust but I meant rust holes....it is starting to rust under the top and has a few dings in it to fix but nothing major except a passenger side fender that I kicked during a temper tantrum :oops: (I put moderate sized dent in fender,so out of anger I kicked it and ruined the fender...smart,huh?)....Interior is shot(was new in 1992) since it was flooded last summer...floorboards and trunk 100% rust free original. Had new quarters in 1992

[oldandtired]

[it is starting to rust under the top and has a few dings in it to fix but nothing major except a passenger side fender that I kicked during a temper tantrum :oops: (I put moderate sized dent in fender,so out of anger I kicked it and ruined the fender...smart,huh?)...

Been there done that. Small problem and frustration caused me to throw something making a $75 problem a $300 problem. We learn thru our mistakes.!!

Dave

[MEMRACING62]

temper...temper.... i know the feeling, last week i was trying to fit & align shitty dynacorn quarters on gmc sprint(elcamino) & had to walk away from it before i kicked shitt out of it!!!! :evil:

[Tod74]

What happened to the fender:This was years ago I was probably 22 or 23 years old at the time

I had an old stock hood from the same car...I had it outside leaned up against my dads garage..he insisted I put it inside so I did. I was putting the car in his garage and was in a big hurry cause I had plans that night...Well just as I was pulling in the hood slid away from the inside garage wall right in my way...Like an idiot I kicked the car up into neutral instead of park while I got out to move the hood( you probably know where this is going :P ) well it had a very loose converter in it so it would sit still almost if in gear...I either had it in drive instead of neutral or hit the shifter when I got out (again I was in a big hurry) As I was moving the hood the car crept fwd and rubbed the garage door opening. I jumped in it and stopped it before it crunched it and the door...I got out cussing like a sailor.Kicked the fender like an idiot then focused my rage on the stock hood that caused the whole thing. I cart wheeled it into the yard and began stomping on it all the while cussing the air blue.....LOL
My father heard the commotion and thought I was hurt or something and came running outside ....then of coarse it was HIS FAULT that I wrecked my fender cause he made me put that old hood inside... :lol:

Funny thing was that old stock/flat hood survived a pretty vicious stomping with very little damage.

[Scooterz]

Ah yes, the joys of being younger & tempers. Here is a good one too...

One day when I was younger I was at the lake having a great time. I had left my dog in the back yard at home. I agreed to let my brother in law put his dog in my back yard & join me at the lake w/ my friends too. Upon my brother in law bringing over the other dog to my home while I was gone, my neighbor started yelling at him: "you are not leaving that F-ing dog here, the other one is loud enough!!" My neighbor chewed him out & set rules on MY property that I owned... made me mad. So, he brought the dog to the lake in the truck & explianed how my neighbor had yelled at him & treated him. (this is where it gets good) I jumped in the car, went home, (at night/late at this point) went into the shop & grabbed a chainsaw. my neighbor had his mailbox on a treated 4X4 post at the end of my drive way (I let him do this). Pretty late at night, I sawed the mail box off & threw it on his front porch. that will teach you SOB for yelling at my family!!!

The next day, I found out that neighbor was the WRONG one. He had done nothing... it was the other neighbor. My temper really was bad when i was young. I had to EAT HUMBLE-PIE BIG TIME!!!

[blowninjected540]

I Love the 70 chevelles as you can see, thats my prosteet car. My race car is almost off the jig at the chassie shop another 70 chevelle pro mod chassie all fiberglass body and chrome moly. It will probly be next year before I get to run it. Had to talk about it. Excited :) :) :) :)

[Tod74]

Ah yes, the joys of being younger & tempers. Here is a good one too...

One day when I was younger I was at the lake having a great time. I had left my dog in the back yard at home. I agreed to let my brother in law put his dog in my back yard & join me at the lake w/ my friends too. Upon my brother in law bringing over the other dog to my home while I was gone, my neighbor started yelling at him: "you are not leaving that F-ing dog here, the other one is loud enough!!" My neighbor chewed him out & set rules on MY property that I owned... made me mad. So, he brought the dog to the lake in the truck & explianed how my neighbor had yelled at him & treated him. (this is where it gets good) I jumped in the car, went home, (at night/late at this point) went into the shop & grabbed a chainsaw. my neighbor had his mailbox on a treated 4X4 post at the end of my drive way (I let him do this). Pretty late at night, I sawed the mail box off & threw it on his front porch. that will teach you SOB for yelling at my family!!!

The next day, I found out that neighbor was the WRONG one. He had done nothing... it was the other neighbor. My temper really was bad when i was young. I had to EAT HUMBLE-PIE BIG TIME!!!

BWAAHAHAHAHAAHA :lol:

[MEMRACING62]

oops :lol: :lol:

[rsrsfishslayers]

You know I started the question and live in sweethome so dont be taking my chevelle out of the field it may be the one I am looking at ha ha got to go big car show in sweet home in the morning..
CPT.RON 8) 8) 8)