Chevelle Restoration and Authenticity Guide 1970-1972. Dale McIntosh
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optional under RPO NK1, and this optional steering wheel could be ordered with or without one of the two SS options. The basic SS dash carrier gave the owner three large, round gauge pods with fuel gauge, speedometer, and a blank along with three small gauge pods for warning lamps for generator, water temperature, and oil pressure.
RPO U14 Instrument Panel Gauges was optional, even on SS-optioned Malibus. The U14 option included an ammeter, water temperature gauge, tachometer, and electric clock. The tachometer replaced the fuel-level gauge in the large left-most pod, the speedometer/odometer remained in the large center-most pod, and the clock replaced the blank in the large right-most pod. An ammeter gauge was installed in the small left-most pod above the headlamp switch, replacing the generator warning lamp; a water temperature gauge was installed in the small, upper right-most pod, replacing the water temperature warning lamp; and the fuel-level gauge was moved to the small, lower-most pod, replacing the oil pressure warning lamp. For some unknown reason, 1970 would see the end of an oil pressure gauge. The oil pressure warning lamp was retained but moved to the bottom of the tachometer face.
1971 and 1972 SS Features
The 1971 and 1972 model years saw a change in Chevrolet’s approach to the youth market. Whether due to rising insurance costs or federal EPA regulations, or maybe both, the 1971 and 1972 model years saw the SS become more of a styling and handling package than a performance one. The two 1970 SS options were cut to one option, RPO Z15, and any optional V-8 with any optional transmission (except the 2-speed Powerglide) could be ordered with the SS Equipment package. The two optional 350-ci engines (RPO L65 and RPO L48) with a manual 3- or 4-speed transmission or 3-speed automatic TH350 transmission were available with the SS package. The RPO L34 396-ci engine was dropped in 1971, and the 402-ci LS3 (first introduced in 1970) could be ordered with a manual 3- or 4-speed or 3-speed automatic TH400 transmission. All three of these engines could be ordered with the SS option, but they could also be ordered without the SS option. Only the RPO LS5 454-ci engine required the SS option in both years. The LS5 could only be ordered with the heavy-duty Muncie M22 4-speed manual transmission or heavy-duty TH400 automatic transmission.
A bench seat was still standard for 1971 and 1972 Chevelles, even when optioned with the SS-option package. The Malibu sport coupe bench seat is a combination cloth and vinyl with an all-vinyl seat optional for an additional $19. Both the Malibu-series convertible and El Camino came standard with an all-vinyl bench seat. Bucket seats and/or console were optional-cost items.
Since the availability of the two 350-ci V-8s and the LS3 was such that neither required the SS package, without documentation showing one of those engines along with RPO Z15, it is difficult to verify a Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or El Camino with one of these three engines as SS optioned.
Many of the same features applied to the 1971 and 1972 model year SS with a few differences. All SS-optioned Malibus came with the same domed hood as 1970, but hood pins were now standard on all SS hoods. The ZL2 option was reserved for the LS3 and LS5 only and added RPO D88 sport stripes just as 1970 did. D88 sport stripes could still be ordered on any Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or El Camino whether SS optioned or not. The D88 option is listed at $79 for 1971 and $81.10 for 1972. As was the case in 1970, some exterior paint colors were restricted to the color of stripe that could be ordered.
As in 1970, all SS-optioned Malibus came with a round-pod instrument panel with U14 Instrument Panel Gauges still an option. The 1971 and 1972 grilles received the typical SS black-out treatment appropriate for the year along with a centered SS emblem. Gone was the black rear bumper pad of 1970 in favor of an SS emblem on the rear bumper, which meant rear bumper guards could be ordered on any 1971 or 1972 SS-optioned Malibu sport coupe or convertible where they could not be ordered on an SS-optioned 1970 Malibu sport coupe or convertible. All 1971 and 1972 SS-optioned Malibu sport coupes and convertibles received an “SS” emblem on the front fenders, but only the LS5 454 received engine size numbering. El Caminos retained their El Camino script on the front fenders and SS emblems on the tailgate with only the 454-ci engine option getting the engine size badge as well.
Added to the SS option in 1971 and 1972 was a remote control driver-side mirror (an option in 1970). Changed were the wheel and tire sizes: 1971 and 1972 SS-optioned Malibus were shod with 15×7 wheels and F60×15 tires.
As with 1970, any exterior paint color or interior material/seat type available in any Malibu was fair game for the SS-optioned ones as well.
Choosing a Good Candidate
As noted earlier, all things being equal, it will take as much time and effort into restoring a 1970 SS396-optioned Malibu as it will an SS454-optioned Malibu or any 1971 or 1972 SS-optioned Malibu. Given you have the correct engine and driveline components, the bodywork, chassis work, interior work, etc. will be the same, so be sure you have either the skills and knowledge to restore your Chevelle yourself or expect to pay about the same for a premium restoration regardless of which Chevelle you start with. Depending on the condition of the Chevelle you start with, ensure your expectations are within your budget.
If you are looking for a six-figure Chevelle when you are finished, expect to invest at least a five-figure price to get it done. Of course, the more work you can do yourself the less the overall costs are going to be.
CHAPTER 1
ACQUISITION
When looking for a 1970–1972 Chevelle candidate to restore, you should have in mind what the finished product is going to be used for. Are you looking for a daily driver, a weekend family cruiser, something for the local car show crowd, or are you expecting to do a full concours restoration for perfection? Your expectations will dictate the amount of labor and money it will take to achieve your goal.
Whether you start with a running, driving car or a rolling shell, carefully inspect the Chevelle for what is present and what is missing. If you have doubts about it being a true SS Chevelle, get a professional inspection.
Determine Your Goals
With a straight body, good paint, and sound mechanicals to start with, your investment for a daily driver (okay, maybe an only-good-weather daily driver) can be kept to a minimum, and you can add dress-up and power options as time and your wallet permits. Something a bit nicer for family and friends cruises and competing at local car shows in a restored class can cost a bit more because you may need to do some bodywork, invest in a quality paint job, refresh the interior, and ensure original or original-type components are used. That can take a bit more time and money to accomplish.
If you are planning on a full, no-expenses-spared concours restoration, you will want to start with something as complete and original as possible. Maybe not so much the body, interior, and mechanicals condition, as those will be rebuilt and/or replaced anyway. But, if you are looking at a concours-quality L34, L78, LS5, or LS6 candidate, having original driveline components is paramount because some items can be expensive to obtain and it is difficult to locate correctly dated pieces.
Know What You Are Looking For
Nobody likes to get duped into buying a car that is not what it is represented to be, especially if you are looking for a true SS-optioned Chevelle. The 1964 model year is easy to determine as a Malibu SS: the vehicle identification number (VIN) will begin with 457 or 458; the 1965 Malibu SS VIN will begin with 13737/67 or 13837/67;1966 through 1968 SS396 VIN will begin with 13817/37/67/80, depending on the year. There is nothing in the VIN for 1969 through 1971 Chevelles that will tell you if one is a true SS-optioned Malibu (or 300 Deluxe in the 1969 model year only). It was fairly easy to clone/fake/recreate 1969–1972 Malibus. So, know what you are looking for.
The 1972 VIN will only be an aid in one case: in 1972, Chevrolet began putting the particular engine size in the VIN with a letter code in the fifth character position. If this fifth letter is the letter W, it indicates the LS5 454-ci engine was originally installed in the car, and the LS5 454-ci engine could only be ordered with the SS option. Basically, the