How do I know if its an SS?
Ali Croff
08-12-2004, 04:38 AM
I have a 1971 Chevy El Camino, and I want to know if it is a true SS. The problem is this El Camino has been wrecked and put back together, so there are no emblems or any obvious signs. Is there a way to tell by the VIN? I have received conflicting information from a couple vin decoder websites, so I thought maybe another El Camino fanatic would be able to help out.
vin 136801L.......
vin 136801L.......
elky82
08-14-2004, 05:41 AM
is there any other numbers or letters on the tag?
elky82
08-15-2004, 06:40 AM
'71's are fairly easy to "clone". So, I would go into any deal with a high degree of skepticism.
For information,
If you have the VIN and the cowl tag numbers, please post them. We can probably get some more info from that. The '68 was the only true year you could identify a SS from the VIN. Although, a '72 with a "W" in the VIN indicated a 454 motor and you could only get that motor with a SS. You can also check out [/url] the club i belong to [url]www.elcaminocentral.com.I go under grumpy82 regional director md,va For 1971, there were two SS packages. One was the SS-454, and the other was simply the "SS" (available with either the 402, 350-4, or 350-2 engine). The unusual "Malibu 400" package was also available on the non-SS Chevelle and El Camino. It utilized the LS3 402 motor.
New for '71 was a "Heavy Chevy" package which featured special decals and some SS equipment. While the SS was based upon the Malibu, the Heavy Chevy was based upon the base Chevelle model, which had less trim. The Heavy Chevy could be ordered with any V8 engine except a 454. Like the Malibu 400 cars, many Heavy Chevys have been converted to SS clones. The VIN on a '71 Heavy Chevy starts with 13437, while the VIN on a V8 Malibu or SS coupe starts with 13637.
The compression ratio on all GM engines was lowered to 8.5:1. 188 Corvettes were built with the 425 horsepower LS6 motor in '71. There have been rumors that a few LS6 Chevelles were built in '71, but these have all been proven to be false. The LS5 454 motor in the '71 Chevelle and El Camino was now rated 5 horsepower HIGHER than it was a year earlier, even though the compression ratio was lowered. This was accomplished partly by redesigning the heads. The increase was also a result of the overly conservative rating (in the Chevelle) of the previous year's LS5.
If the SS-454 package was ordered, the fenders (and tailgate on El Caminos) would sport "SS/454" emblems. If the 402 or 350 engine was ordered with the SS package, then there would simply be "SS" emblems all the way around (but no external engine size designation). The El Camino SS generally did NOT have any "SS" emblems on the door panels.
The SS hood was the same as in '70. The Cowl Induction package was still available. It was, however, not promoted as much as in '70. As a result, far fewer Cowl Induction equipped vehicles were produced in '71 than in '70. There is some conflicting information, but it appears that that the Cowl Induction package was only available with the 454 in '71.
The '71 SS came with 15" five-spoke rally wheels. These wheels were painted silver, with trim rings and center caps. These wheels are similar to those found on mid-70s Z28 Camaros. The latter 70's Z28 wheels were very similar, but the spokes were a bit flatter.
Another unusual vehicle was introduced in 1971. It was the GMC version of the El Camino called the GMC "Sprint". There were about 5600 Sprints produced in '71. Compared to the '71 El Camino production of over 40,000 the '71 Sprint is fairly rare in any form. There was an "SP" package available for the Sprint that had the same basic equipment as the El Camino SS. Only 249 '71 SPs were built. There was even an "SP-454" package available. In fact, it was also possible to order the Sprint with Cowl Induction, tachometer, bucket seats, positraction, etc. It is estimated that about 25 were ordered with the 454 and about 16 with Cowl Induction.
For information,
If you have the VIN and the cowl tag numbers, please post them. We can probably get some more info from that. The '68 was the only true year you could identify a SS from the VIN. Although, a '72 with a "W" in the VIN indicated a 454 motor and you could only get that motor with a SS. You can also check out [/url] the club i belong to [url]www.elcaminocentral.com.I go under grumpy82 regional director md,va For 1971, there were two SS packages. One was the SS-454, and the other was simply the "SS" (available with either the 402, 350-4, or 350-2 engine). The unusual "Malibu 400" package was also available on the non-SS Chevelle and El Camino. It utilized the LS3 402 motor.
New for '71 was a "Heavy Chevy" package which featured special decals and some SS equipment. While the SS was based upon the Malibu, the Heavy Chevy was based upon the base Chevelle model, which had less trim. The Heavy Chevy could be ordered with any V8 engine except a 454. Like the Malibu 400 cars, many Heavy Chevys have been converted to SS clones. The VIN on a '71 Heavy Chevy starts with 13437, while the VIN on a V8 Malibu or SS coupe starts with 13637.
The compression ratio on all GM engines was lowered to 8.5:1. 188 Corvettes were built with the 425 horsepower LS6 motor in '71. There have been rumors that a few LS6 Chevelles were built in '71, but these have all been proven to be false. The LS5 454 motor in the '71 Chevelle and El Camino was now rated 5 horsepower HIGHER than it was a year earlier, even though the compression ratio was lowered. This was accomplished partly by redesigning the heads. The increase was also a result of the overly conservative rating (in the Chevelle) of the previous year's LS5.
If the SS-454 package was ordered, the fenders (and tailgate on El Caminos) would sport "SS/454" emblems. If the 402 or 350 engine was ordered with the SS package, then there would simply be "SS" emblems all the way around (but no external engine size designation). The El Camino SS generally did NOT have any "SS" emblems on the door panels.
The SS hood was the same as in '70. The Cowl Induction package was still available. It was, however, not promoted as much as in '70. As a result, far fewer Cowl Induction equipped vehicles were produced in '71 than in '70. There is some conflicting information, but it appears that that the Cowl Induction package was only available with the 454 in '71.
The '71 SS came with 15" five-spoke rally wheels. These wheels were painted silver, with trim rings and center caps. These wheels are similar to those found on mid-70s Z28 Camaros. The latter 70's Z28 wheels were very similar, but the spokes were a bit flatter.
Another unusual vehicle was introduced in 1971. It was the GMC version of the El Camino called the GMC "Sprint". There were about 5600 Sprints produced in '71. Compared to the '71 El Camino production of over 40,000 the '71 Sprint is fairly rare in any form. There was an "SP" package available for the Sprint that had the same basic equipment as the El Camino SS. Only 249 '71 SPs were built. There was even an "SP-454" package available. In fact, it was also possible to order the Sprint with Cowl Induction, tachometer, bucket seats, positraction, etc. It is estimated that about 25 were ordered with the 454 and about 16 with Cowl Induction.
slimone
08-20-2004, 12:08 PM
Hi, I kinda have the same trouble ,have a 72 elki that has been in many other hands ,now the guy I got it from said it was a SS but I know he is a real BS'r so not sure if it is or not, vin on it is 1D80J2L595187 if any one can answer this I would be happy , by the way it is for sale if interested, thanks Slim
elky82
08-21-2004, 07:24 PM
1972 VIN Breakdown
Location The VIN number is stamped on a plate on top of the instrument panel and visible through the windshield on the (Drivers Side). It is composed of 13 letters and numbers.
A sample 1972 El Camino VIN would look like this: 1D80J2R100001
1 Chevrolet Division
D This is the Model Series Number
C = Chevelle, El Camino
D = Malibu, Custom El Camino
80 This is the Body Style
80 = El Camino (2dr Sedan Pickup)
J Identifies the engine
D = L-6, 250cid
F = V-8, 307cid
H = V-8, 350cid, 2-bbl
J = V-8, 350cid, 4-bbl
U = V-8, 402cid
W = V-8, 454cid
2 Model Year (1972)
R This is the Assembly Plant code
B = Baltimore, MD
K = Kansas City, MO
L = Los Angeles/Van Nuys, CA
R = Arlington, TX
1 = Oshawa, Canada
100001 Sequential Production Number
Location The VIN number is stamped on a plate on top of the instrument panel and visible through the windshield on the (Drivers Side). It is composed of 13 letters and numbers.
A sample 1972 El Camino VIN would look like this: 1D80J2R100001
1 Chevrolet Division
D This is the Model Series Number
C = Chevelle, El Camino
D = Malibu, Custom El Camino
80 This is the Body Style
80 = El Camino (2dr Sedan Pickup)
J Identifies the engine
D = L-6, 250cid
F = V-8, 307cid
H = V-8, 350cid, 2-bbl
J = V-8, 350cid, 4-bbl
U = V-8, 402cid
W = V-8, 454cid
2 Model Year (1972)
R This is the Assembly Plant code
B = Baltimore, MD
K = Kansas City, MO
L = Los Angeles/Van Nuys, CA
R = Arlington, TX
1 = Oshawa, Canada
100001 Sequential Production Number
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