1968-1972 Chevelle SS Buyer's Guide (Engines, Options, Specs)

1968-1972 Chevelle Buyer's Guide and Spotter's Guide! Everything you've ever wanted to know about the 2nd gen Chevelle SS!

1968:
The Chevelle was redesigned for the 1968 model year. These details, along with the fastback-like profile and unique kickup rear quarter panel made the Chevelle coupe look powerful while the big rear quarter panels screamed that it was a rear-wheel-drive machine. With the redesign, coupes and convertibles rode on a 112-inch wheelbase, while the sedan and station wagon utilized a 116-inch wheelbase. There were several models on offer, with the Chevelle coupes and sedans offering the 300, 300 Deluxe, Malibu, and Concours. Enthusiasts had the option of specifying the SS 396 Package, which was available on the coupe, convertible, or El Camino for 1968. The base price of a 1968 SS 396 was $2,875.

To identify a 1968 as a true SS 396, you will need to know several things. Fisher Body style numbers of 13837, 13867 & 13880 must be present along with VIN numbers beginning with 13837, 13867, & 13880 will indicate a true SS. Note that the VIN only indicates the base engine, the 396 cid Mark-IV V8 sporting 325HP, and not any of the optional, uprated engines available. For $105 more, a buyer could spec the L34 engine, making 350 HP. Returning for the first time since 1966, the L78 engine cost an additional $237 and included solid lifters, big-port heads, and an 800 CFM Holley carburetor on a low-rise aluminum manifold. SS 396 models came with F70X14 red stripe wide oval tires, twin-domed hood with faux vents, SS 396 emblems on black-accented grille and rear cove, fender-mounted side marker lights with engine designation, blacked-out lower rocker panels below the lower belt-line trim, 12 bolt rear end, front bench seat, speedometer and fuel gauge, along with a 3-speed heavy-duty transmission. Positraction, bucket seats, gauges, 4-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, and some other options were available to spec.
1969:

There were minor stylistic changes for 1969. There was no SS396 model in 1969, instead it was now part of an $347 option code, RPO Z25. The Z25 package was also now available on lower trim models like the V8 300 Deluxe series 2-door coupe and 2-door sport coupe. The SS engine lineup was essentially identical to that offered in 1968. SS 396 equipped models came with power-assisted front disc brakes, floor-mounted 3-speed transmission, dual exhaust, black grilled and rear panel, wheel arch moldings, special hood ornamentation and suspension, 14x7 sport wheels, and white lettered Blackwall tires.
1970:
There were lots of changes for the 1970 model year. The exterior, interior, and engine options all received significant changes. Styling was all new and featured a narrow center with flared fenders giving the Chevelle a very substantial look. The headlight panel was now surrounded with body color trim, the front grille had 2 sections with an emblem in the middle, the stylized front bumper housed the turn signal lights, and taillights were now housed in the rear chrome bumper. RPO Z25 included the 402ci engine but was referred to as the SS 396 since GM had a lot of clout with the 396 designation, and the RPO Z15 option that included the LS5 454cid v8 engine rated at 360HP. There was also LS6 engine with high compression and solid lifters that produced 450HP. The SS option included special SS emblems, sport suspension, "power dome" hood, black-accented grille, resilient rear-bumper insert, and wide-oval tires on sport wheels.

1971:
Unfortunately, the SS package for 1971 was more of a dress-up package than a high-performance package. Due to rising costs and higher insurance rates, Chevrolet changed the 1970 Z25 and Z15 packages to only include a single Z15 SS Equipment Package. The L34 “396” and the LS6 “454” You could now order the Z15 package with any optional V8 engine, which included the 350 2-Barrel carburetor, the 350 4-barrel carburetor, as well as the 400 4-barrel, and finally the 4 barrel 454 engine. Unlike the earlier years, the 12 bolt rear end was not standard anymore. SS equipment included a special domed hood with locking pins, sport mirror, black-accented grille, power disc front and rear drum brakes, sport wheels, F60x15 tires, and special chassis features. Note that even though locking pins are now standard on SS models, some SS equipped models did not come with locking pins from the factory.

1972:
No other major interior or exterior changes are noticed for 1972 models other than new signal indicator lights and a 2-bar front grille. The SS package was still available with any optional V8 engine. Engine choices for the SS equipment package were unchanged from the 1971 model and included the L65, L48, LS3, and LS5 engines.

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