1970 Chevelle SS396/SS454
MYTHS & FACTS
The term SS Chevelle applies to both the Z25 396 package and the Z15 454 package unless otherwise noted & applies to the Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and pickup unless otherwise noted. Malibu includes the 3 body style, sport coupe - convertible - pickup unless otherwise noted.
Myth | Fact |
All SS Chevelles came with gauges. | All SS Chevelles came with round gauge pod for fuel and speedometer. RPO U14 Instrument Panel Gauges with tachometer, amp & water gauges was optional. The same U14 could be ordered on any V8 Malibu sport coupe, convertible, pickup as well with the only difference being the redline of the tachometer. |
All SS Chevelles came with bucket seats. | Bucket seats were optional and available in any Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedanpickup. As with a standard Malibu a cloth & coated fabric bench seat was standard equipment except in the pickup and convertible where a coated fabric bench seat was standard. |
All SS Chevelles came with hood and deck stripes. | RPO D88 Hood & Deck
stripes were optional on SS and non-SS Malibus. The
exception is when a Malibu was ordered with one of the two
SS options AND ordered with the RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood
System. Included with the RPO was hood & deck stripes, hood
pins, and functional cowl induction hood. The stripes could
be deleted with approval of Chevrolet's Fleet & Special
Order group but this had to be requested by the buyer. ** El Caminos with stripes (SS or not) only got the hood stripes. |
The L34 engine was optional in an SS 396 Chevelle. | The 396(402)/350hp L34 engine was standard with RPO Z25, the 396(402)/375hp L78 engine was optional. RPO L89 was the option for aluminum cylinder heads on the L78 engine, there is no such thing as an L89 engine. |
The LS5 engine was optional in the SS 454 Chevelle | The 454/360hp LS5 engine was standard with RPO Z15, the 454/450hp LS6 engine was optional. |
Any other myths you can think of? | Contact me |