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Username Post: New Chevelle SS guy needs help!        (Topic#364959)
Earnhardt99 
Newbie
Posts: 1

Reg: 04-19-21
04-20-21 06:25 AM - Post#2818400    

I'm trying to verify if this 71 Chevelle SS is the real deal.
I'm very much an amateur to Cheveys
Needing any and all help on decoding.
I copied the Cowl Tag

ST 71-13637
TR 705
128862

R 13788 BDY
75. 75 PNT



 


wagonman100 
Site Ambassador
Posts: 15802

Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
04-23-21 07:50 PM - Post#2818647    
    In response to Earnhardt99

No way to tell without the build sheet. It was built as a V8 Chevelle hardtop by the 13637 number. The R means it was built in Arlington, Texas. 705 is a cloth bench seat and 75 is Cranberry Red paint. There are other things to look for. All SS cars have 12 bolt rear and front disc brakes.

Jay
Friends don’t let friends drive Fords.

1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon
1957 Cameo Carrier


 
elcamino 
Member #185
Posts: 5672
elcamino
Loc: Lake Superior-Michigan US...
Reg: 03-30-00
05-09-21 07:35 AM - Post#2819555    
    In response to Earnhardt99

Actually you cannot even tell from the trim tag if that car was really a V8, the VIN is the only way. It was common for the assembly plants body shops to code 6 cyl cars the same as V8 with 13637 on the trim tag. If the third digit of the VIN is an EVEN number 4, 6 etc than it was a V8 car but what engine is not coded until the 1972 model year. Disc brakes and 12-bolt rear ends are not specific to SS optioned cars as other models with certain options forced these same items so its possible a non SS optioned car could have these items.

In 1971 the SS was merely an option of the Malibu and El Camino. Everything in the SS option (parts) can be added so without original paperwork or a build sheet for the car, there no sure way to know for sure. These cars are some of the most counterfeited muscle cars of all time. Note- even build sheets have been faked!

PS, I owned both a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 and a 1972 El Camino SS350, Both purchased NEW by me.

What are the first 7 digits of the VIN?


13337 - Chevelle 6-cyl
13437 - Chevelle V8
13537 - Chevelle Malibu 6-cyl
13637 - Chevelle Malibu V8
SS option ONLY available on the 13637

To make things even more confusing, Chevy also offered a low priced SS look alike called the "Heavy Chevy" on the 13437 base model Chevelle. Had doomed SS style hood but was a cheaper car because it did not have all the upscale Malibu features.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2012/08/01/ch evel...

http://www.vintageautomotive.net/?tag=collector-ca...


Mike
2024 GMC 4WD Sierra Denali 3.0L/10-sp
2022 Polaris RZR XP 1000 Ride Command
2017 John Deere X738


 
wagonman100 
Site Ambassador
Posts: 15802

Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
05-12-21 01:45 PM - Post#2819772    
    In response to elcamino

Mike is correct. I only pointed out the disc brakes and 12 bolt to say that if your car doesn’t have them it is probably not a real SS. Though I have seen cars that came with disc converted to drum brakes before. Disc brakes were new to most people back then and some people changed them because they didn’t trust what they didn’t know. I’ve seen Monte Carlos with front drums too and they were supposed to come with front discs standard.

Jay
Friends don’t let friends drive Fords.

1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon
1957 Cameo Carrier


 
CDNNumbers_guy 
Newbie
Posts: 14

Reg: 03-06-22
03-07-22 08:50 PM - Post#2837684    
    In response to Earnhardt99

Earnhardt99

Here is your cowl and possible vin tag completely decoded.

136371R119154

1 = division code for Chevrolet Motor Division
36 = model number for a Malibu V8
37 = body style code for a two door sport coupe
1 = model year 1971
R = assembly plant code for Arlington, Texas
1 = start of sequential unit number
19154 = where this car is off the assembly line from the Arlington plant
educated guess based on deducted production date of 12B

ST 71-13637 R 13788 BDY
TR 705 75 75 PNT
12B 862

ST = refers to style of car
71 = model year 1971
13637 = model number for a Malibu V8 two door sport coupe
R = assembly plant code for Arlington, Texas
13788 = body order number for this cars body
BDY = refers to body number
TR = refer to interior trim
705 = interior trim code for Black vinyl bench seats
75 = lower body exterior paint colour Cranberry Red
75 = upper body exterior paint colour Cranberry Red
PNT = refers to exterior paint
12B = production date for this car second week of December 1970
862 = found in box 10 of the build sheet

From 1969 - 73 the Chevelle SS is an option package. In 1971 the Chevelle SS option package. Was available on the Malibu V8
two door coupe. Model number 13637. Or Malibu V8 two door convertible. Model number 13667. Also Custom El Camino V8.
Model number 13680. Also in 1971 the Chevelle SS could be had with any V8 engine. Other than the 307 V8. So valid engines
are 350 V8 2BBL 240 HP, 350 V8 4 BBL 270 HP, 402 V8 4BBL 300 HP, 454 V8 4 BBL 365 HP

To confirm Chevelle SS authenticity. You need the factory window sticker, build sheet or Protect-O-Plate







 


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