Two choices ! The '70 LS5 was avaiable with the TH-400 and the M22, but it may have also been available with the M21. The '70 LS6 454 and the '71-'72 LS5 454 came with either the Turbo-Hydramatic 400Īutomatic, or the M22 "rock-crusher" 4-speed. In '71 and '72 it was possible to get an SS with a 2-bbl 350. All 375 HP 396's (L78 and L89) came with forged cranksĪll '68-'70 SSs and '68-'72 big-blocks came with 4-barrel carburetors. The 350 HP 396 (元4) came with a forged crank, and is usually a 4-bolt block, but may possibly come as a 2-bolt block also. The LS5 had 2-bolt mains and the LS6 had 4-bolt mains. In '70-'72 the 454 engine was only available as part of the SS (or SP)Īll '70-'72 454 motors (LS5 and LS6) came with a forged crankshaft. In '68-'69 the 396 engine was generally only available as part of the SS package (there appears to be at least one exception - see the 1969 section). 4-speed cars tend to have smog pumps more often than automatic cars. I haveĪlso seen numerous similar, genuine vehicles that did not come withįactory smog pumps. The '72 was not from California, but the '69 probably was. Pump, and a genuine '72 SS-454 El Camino with a factory smog pump. Personally seen a genuine '69 SS-396 El Camino with a factory smog I think all big-blocksįrom '68-'71 sold in California came with smog pumps. So, the only SS you could get inĬalifornia in '72 was the small-block SS-350. However, in '72, GM was not allowed to sell the 307, or any big-blocks In '71-'72 you could get an SS with either a big-block or small-block. If you can, always look up under the dash for any signs of recent welding around the VIN plate.įor '68 & up, here are some things to look for :įor '68-'70, only big-blocks were available on the SS. However, I wouldn't be suprised if a few paint codes have been changed here and there.Īlthough highly illegal, I'm sure there are numerous cars out there that have had their VIN plates switched. I think the outfit that supplies the cowl tags is legally only allowed to replace a damaged cowl tag with a reproduction that has EXACTLY the same codes on it. There are also companies that can supply you with reproduction protect-o-plates, window stickers, and even cowl tags. I've even heard of VIN numbers on build sheets being changed. Perhaps one of the best ways to authenticate an SS is with the build sheet, protect-o-plate, original window sticker, etc.Įven with those, however, you have to be on the lookout for fakes. However, some of these types of books are known to be factually incorrect about certain things. There are also several restoration guides which can provide valuable information. There is a good one currently available that is produced by the publishers of "Cars and Parts" magazine. I would recommend that anyone looking to authenticate an SS get one of the available Chevelle & El Camino ID books. (The ones at the NCOA convention were not for sale). What I don't like is when they are sold to unsuspecting buyers as genuine. Actually they can be very nice, and you can customize them and drive them without worrying about harming the value of a genuine SS. Of the five SS-454s, two had 350 engine VIN numbers, and another had a 402 engine VIN. I decided to check the VIN numbers on the five SS-454s (I knew what to look for since I own a genuine '72 SS-454 El Camino). I then remembered that '72 and newer GM vehicles have a code letter in the VIN number which indicates what engine type was installed by the factory. They appeared genuine in every detail (except perhaps for engine codes - I didn't look at those). Not all the cars had arrived when I was there, but there were several nice '72s to look at. I was able to take a few hours off during a business trip to Chicago to go to the nearby National Chevelle Owners Association (NCOA) annual convention. To illustrate the extent of the problem, here is an experience I had a few years ago : There may even be more SS clones out there than genuine SSs. There are far more SS "look-a-likes" out there than people realize. However, it is not so easy to tell the difference between a genuine SS and a plain Malibu which has been altered to look like an SS. It is easy to spot an SS Chevelle compared to a "plain-Jane" model. This Guide is for owners and potential owners of 1968 and newer. How to spot a genuine SS Chevelle / El Camino Sorry Folks, ich habe die Info nur in Englisch aber bestimmt besser als gar nichts, oderĬhevelle SS Identification Chevelle SS Identification
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