Anyone know of a way to find the history of a 70?

[Supspt454]

Hi, I am trying to identify my 70 Chevelle. I am 99% positive its a SS car, but I do not have the build sheet. I do know that it was Green Metalic with White strips, and dark green interior. It had the factory back seat, and door pannels with the SS emblems. It was mostly stripped down. It does have the switch on the gas pedal for a cowl hood. The front clip was also missing. I know it was a factory 4 speed car and did not have A/C. Also, the title reads "CPE" and "SUPSPT". I was told that GM no longer carries copies of the build sheets after '69. I really do not plan to resore this car, but it would be nice to know exactly what I have. Is ther any way??? Thanks

Shawn

[Supspt454]

Also, when I get home from work today, I will take a picture of my VIN plate and post it. Maybe someone can tell me something from there. Thanks again

[Derek69SS]

Unfortunately, there's not any way to get documentation from GM, but there's a lot of clues you can look for...

70 SS would have:

Round gauges
12-bolt rear axle
Boxed rear lower control arms
Rear sway bar (7/8")
Larger front sway bar (1-1/8")
Power disc brakes
3/8" fuel line (single line for L78 and LS6, 2 lines for L34 and LS5)
Bolt on flange where the ragjoint bolts to the steering shaft

Things that would indicate it's NOT an SS:
sweep speedometer
10-bolt rear
drum brakes in front
trim holes in the quarter panels just below the quarter windows (Malibu trim)
pressed on ragjoint flange

Also, the L34 (350hp 396) was available in the Malibu 400, so some of the bigblock stuff could be original, and still have been a Malibu.

Post up some pics of under the hood, body, interior, etc...

[Hank70SS]

Derek pretty much covered it unless it's a Canadian built car. GM of Canada can provide documentation regarding the car and it's original options. Not a build sheet but good enough these days.

It should also have the frame supports, frame to rear upper control uppers as part of the F41 suspension. Since it has SS emblems on the doors it was most likely a 396, most 454's had Malibu emblems on the doors, don't ask me why. A 396 non-AC car would have a 3 core rad with the wider core support opening and 4 bolt top plate. That stuff may no longer be original. Also check the engine frame mounts, 307 had different frame/engine mounts.

Have the carpeting, door panels and gas tank been removed. These are typical places assembly line workers stuffed extra build sheets to get rid of them.

[Supspt454]

Hey thanks guys. This car was on it's way to a roundy round track right when I bought it for $700 back in 96. It is not on the orig. Chassis. Basically I just have the title, the cowl switch on the pedal, the door panel emblems "SS" and the white stripes. Oh well, I've got a 454 I can build, and a super good M21 close ratio. Fresh paint on a rust free car. But I'll always wonder????

[Hank70SS]

Don't wonder, just enjoy it.

[Derek69SS]

Was there a switch on the pedal??? I thought the CI hoods were completely operated by engine vacuum.

[Supspt454]

Originally Posted by Derek69SS

Was there a switch on the pedal??? I thought the CI hoods were completely operated by engine vacuum.

Yes, there was an electric solenoid that was operated by the throttle pedal switch which acutated the vacume solenoid on the cowl flapper. That is how the cowl flapper door knew when to open. At WOT.

[Ben Graham]

Shawn, have you looked in all the normal places for the build sheet?

[Supspt454]

Originally Posted by Ben Graham

Shawn, have you looked in all the normal places for the build sheet?

Yes. This car was completely stripped before paint. Hello from another Okie by the way!