now i am wondering about my 69 SS

[69chevelless]

Originally Posted by shadowgray396

The L is not conclusive in most circles for an SS. The SS package was an option after 68 since they had a 138 vin. Paper work is the only way to prove an SS after 68.

From 1969 on, the SS was no longer a separate model. Instead, it was now an "SS" option package added to a 300 Deluxe model, Malibu model, or El Camino Custom model. 1969 was the only model year that the SS package could be ordered on the base model Chevelle 300 Deluxe (as a 2-door coupe or a 2-door post sedan). The only SS option in '69 was the "Z25" SS-396 package. The '69 and up cars are harder to authenticate because the VIN can not be used to confirm if the car is an SS.

There were two colors that were exclusive to the '69 SS. "Monaco Orange" (code 72) and "Daytona Yellow" (code 76). If either of these paint codes appear on the cowl tag (and the cowl tag is genuine) then that would prove the car to be a genuine SS.

If someone had a nice '69 Malibu, and a rusted out '69 SS, it would be easy for them to simply move the SS equipment over to the Malibu. As long as they did not alter or move the VIN plates or cowl tags, this would be perfectly legal, and since the VIN tag doesn't tell you much, there would be almost no way for you to know.

From '69 on, single-piston disk brakes were STANDARD equipment with the SS package. These brakes are easier to find parts for than the earlier four-piston disk brakes.

Chevrolet literature indicates that the only way to get a 396 was with the SS package. However, there appears to be at least one late-production Chevelle that was built with a 396 and all the required SS equipment, but the "Z25" SS-396 option was not listed on the car's build sheet. It is believed that this car came from the factory with "SS" emblems, but that is not 100% certain.

Again in 1969, the only available SS engine was the 396 (in the same flavors as in 1968). In 1969, however, it was possible (if you knew who to talk to) to order something called a COPO 427 Chevelle. COPO stands for "Central Office Production Order". The COPO program allowed dealers to order equipment that was not usually available (such as special paint, special engines, etc.) Unlike the '68s, the '69 Chevelles had their 427 engines installed at the FACTORY, not the dealership. This makes the '69 427s more legitimate in the eyes of collectors today. You didn't necessarily have to go to Yenko or some other special dealer in '69 to get a 427 Chevelle. Your local dealer could usually get you one if you filled out the right paperwork. While the '69 COPO 427s had basically the same equipment as the SS-396s, they were not generally considered SSs because they did not have any external "SS" or "427" identification. They were the ultimate sleepers. Any genuine '69 COPO 427 Chevelle is quite valuable today. There are also unconfirmed reports of a '69 COPO 427 El Camino.

In addition, there was an "L89" aluminum head option available for the '69 375 HP 396. Few were ordered.

1969 SSs had "SS/396" emblems on the front, back, fenders, door panels, on the dash above the glove box, and on the standard SS steering wheel. The '69 SS also had the twin-bulge hood like the '68s, but the bolt holes where the hood hinges attached were slightly different. The '69 SS came with 14" SS wheels with "SS" center caps. The '69 SS stripe option consisted of a black, white, or red stripe which ran along the upper body sides. There are also reports of a few '69 SSs with dealer-painted hood stripes, similar to the stripes used on many '70-'72 SSs.

Another rare car, produced only in '69, was an SS Chevelle built on the 2-door post sedan, the "Chevelle 300". This was the only year that a 2-door post sedan SS was produced. Most of the '69 SSs, and all the '70-'72 SSs, were built upon the 2-door Malibu pillarless coupe.

Yes all that stuff that you copied and pasted from another site are true but the L code is another way to identify an SS car from baltimore or Kansas. Are you not a believer of this theory? If so why not?

[shadowgray396]

Originally Posted by 69chevelless

Yes all that stuff that you copied and pasted from another site are true but the L code is another way to identify an SS car from baltimore or Kansas. Are you not a believer of this theory? If so why not?

L- May indicate it being SS-optioned car. Not enough documentation has not been found from what I have read that it was used for exclusively on SS cars. Yes it has been found on SS cars so it may mean it was ordered an SS and has been found on 69 L78 cars, etc. If I was going to buy an SS car I would want documentation also before I would hang my hat just on the L. Yes I know documentation can be fake and so can cowl tags these days. It's ashame that it has come down to that. It only hurts the value of everyones car. I'm just like everyone else still trying to learn more about these cars everyday. I'm by no means an expert on Chevelles.

This is from Dale M who has done a lot of research on the subject.

" I think 70 Baltimore used B D and only Kansas used L. Of the limited tags I have:
* 69 Baltimore - BL (El Caminos BFL)
I know one of the Baltimore Malibu BL tags is an SS because of the paint code 72 and a BFL Baltimore El Camino is from matching paperwork.

* 69 KC - L
Ten KC Chevelles with L are verified as SS because of either paint or matching paperwork. Another is verified as an SS but does not have the letter L. (POP w/JC engine code, engine and TH400 have correct CON VIN)

70 Baltimore - BD
At least one B D tagged Baltimore Chevelle I have is verified with build sheet.
70 KC - L
At least four L tagged KC Chevelles I have are verified with build sheets.

Certainly not much to go on given the over 600,000 69/70 Malibu & El Caminos built and trying to fit in 86,000+ 69 SS optioned Chevelles and 62,000+ 70 optioned Chevelles but it's a start.

If others don't take the time to document what they find, it'll remain a theory and not proven or disproven. Just like the mystery of the - -, blank, or DuPont paint codes was theory/suspect until people like Jim Mattison spoke up and confirmed these were 'special paint' codes. Many people still ask about them and, thanks to Mr. Mattison, those questions can be answered. I'm sure many things in Alvin Colvin's books were theory/suspect until he gained access and did research at GM.

The problems I see are (1) not enough people yet have come forward with paperwork proof to support or debunk a theory and (2) many times the paperwork just doesn't exist any longer so those cases sit with an asterisk if you will."


[QUOTE=SS Shaun;34646]not sure what you are asking for with the steering shaft but here are some i have in my photobucket.

Big Block steering shaft will have the lower portion bolted on and not pressed on.