real SS or Clone

Hey guys
Well the ? is my son just picked up a 1973 Nova SS and I want to know if there is a way to make sure its a real SS and not a clone
Thanks Mike

Hi Mike. In order to find out if it is a real SS you will have to find the paperwork that lists all the options for the car. The workers on the assembly line leave the paperwork "somewhere" with the car when it is made. One of the most common places to find the papers is under the back bench seat. It comes out real easy. Just push in the front of the seat and pull up, it will pop out. Flip the seat over as well and check the underneath. This is where mine was, although all that was in mine was a little ripped piece of it. The previous owner replaced the carpet so who knows where the rest of it went. No big deal for me though, mine is not a real SS anyhow (although I've turned it into a damn good clone). Another place I've heard the papers being found is on top of the gas tank. I dont know if you'd be that interested in finding them enough to drop the tank to look. Below is a link to the Nova Resource site. It will explain a bit about the options and such for the various years. It's a very good site. http://www.novaresource.org/rpo_Z26.htm I beleive there is a GM number you can call and for a fee they will trace the dealer records to verify the options, which will verify if it is a real SS. I think I have it somewhere, I'll have to look. I remember getting it a while back. I might have gotten it from the Nova resource site or another site I was on. I will look for it. :)

You just run the vin number.

Diamonds & Guns (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=437960)
where do I run the vin at
Mike

Try it here www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com if that doesn't work take the Title into DMv and they'll run it there.

I don't think that any site or the DMV will be able to tell you what options your Nova had from any computer. If you can't find the options sheet that came with the car when it was made, they will probably have to be traced through the dealer records (paperwork or old dealer records). Like I said there are places where you can have this done but I don't exactly know how they go about doing it. I did find a site here in Canada that does this, but I beleive it is only for cars sold in Canada. This is a link to that site so you can see what I'm talking about http://www.gmcanada.com/english_migrated/maintenance/parts/parts_vint.html All you have to do is find somewhere that does the same thing in the USA. I checked some US GM sites but had no luck. You also could try tracking down the previous owners if you could find out who they are. If you could find the original owner, they might be able to tell you if it was an SS. Maybe the DMV might be able to help you with that I'm not really sure if they would release that info though. If I come across anything I'll let you know. Good luck:)

Here is a good resource to decode the VIN on your Nova, or nearly any other older Chevy
http://www.gaspumpclassics.com/resources/vin_decoders/chevrolet_vin_information.cfm

Ok my buddy just confirmed this he's a car specialist and has owned 1,000 cars in his life. He said there's a serial number under the hood and you go online and run it. Pretty much what I said.

Hi, I have a 1968 Chevy 2 Nova Original 250/Powerglide

A lot of novas cowl tags were wrong. You have to go by what the VIN says.

For instance according to my cowl tag my car came with a V8 (WRONG!!!)

My VIN number says it came with a 6cyl. (RIGHT!!!)

Also, all true Nova SS, came with 12 bolt rearend, and after 1968, standard front disc brakes.

If your car does'nt have front disc brakes or a 12 bolt rearend, it probably isnt a true SS

Peace :grinyes: