A 72 will have a U in the VIN code for a 396/402 motor and a W for a 454. W code is only a true SS. U code is likely an SS but not always. Small block codes wont tell you. The hood pins wont tell you anything since Heavy Chevy cars had a Dome hood and pins were an option. Bucket seats and console were an option not just SS specific. It does have all the things a true SS car has.
I have a 72 that I have owned for 36 years. If your car is a clone, it was done very well. Either way. It's a very nice car that I would be proud to drive.
Was most likely originally an SS with a small block 350 in it. I was about 12 years old in 1972 and it seemed like every other car on the road was an SS 350 Chevelle. 😊
Nice car. I am no expert but it could be an original ss big block car. Your car has the frame braces that go from the lower rear control arm mounting point to the upper control arm mounting point. Only on big block cars. The SS dash is a 72 dash because it has the seatbelt warning light beside the cigarette lighter. Not on 70 and 71 cars. Looks like the front sway bar is the smaller 1 7/8 not the larger 1 1/8 found on SS cars with the F41 suspension which I think was an option. Cool Chevelle regardless if it’s an original SS on not.
I'm no expert either. but would be nice to read body tag and vin there, but as I saw glimpse of steering shaft (between column and steering box) it look like small block shaft, because big block shaft would have had horizontal bolt at the lower end. Anyways look like it has original 72 dash, there is "Fasten Seatbelt" opening beside cigarette lighter and it has RPO F41 Perforrmance Suspension pieces at the rear, which include braces that are running from front lower control arm to upper arm attaching ponts. So, to me this would be 350SS from factory. But VIN would tell.
Hello, I really think you should keep the factory vacuum tanks in the car. Over the years things get lost or stolen, I would refinish the offending parts and let them be under the hood. The choice is yours. I took things out and regretted ever thinking those thoughts! That was an expensive lesson with factory a/c and smog equipment.
I think someone may have added the vacuum tank and pump due to loss of brake feel when you use a larger camshaft. The car stops fine and none of that stuff is currently connected. Appreciate you watching. 🙂
I am not an expert. To the best of my knowledge, if the VIN starts with "138", it is an SS and that's that. If it starts with "136", it may or may not be a true SS. We have Chevrolet to thank for that dandy. What's worse is repop Vin's have been around for years. It is believed that there are more 138 Chevelles today then Chevrolet made. Either way that is a sweet Chevelle!
That is only true up until 1968. The only way to know for sure on a 1972 is if you have a “W” in your VIN, which designates a 454. You could not get a 454 without the SS package in 1972.
I noticed that as well. The BOP 12 bolt rears have a smooth cover on the diff. Worth checking the numbers and taking off the cover to see the Carrier. Sharp Car
I'm sorry, you're talking about a desirable 50 plus year old car, without proper documentation any 70- 72 Chevelle SS is to prove it a dicey proposition
A 72 will have a U in the VIN code for a 396/402 motor and a W for a 454. W code is only a true SS. U code is likely an SS but not always. Small block codes wont tell you. The hood pins wont tell you anything since Heavy Chevy cars had a Dome hood and pins were an option.
Bucket seats and console were an option not just SS specific. It does have all the things a true SS car has.
Yes, the 5th letter in the VIN is a J. So yes, it’s a small block car. Thanks for watching 🙂
I have a 72 that I have owned for 36 years. If your car is a clone, it was done very well. Either way. It's a very nice car that I would be proud to drive.
Thank You Eddie. Looks like the car is a small block car according to the VIN.
Was most likely originally an SS with a small block 350 in it. I was about 12 years old in 1972 and it seemed like every other car on the road was an SS 350 Chevelle. 😊
According to the VIN, this car was a small block 350 car. Appreciate you watching 🙂👍
Nice car. I am no expert but it could be an original ss big block car. Your car has the frame braces that go from the lower rear control arm mounting point to the upper control arm mounting point. Only on big block cars. The SS dash is a 72 dash because it has the seatbelt warning light beside the cigarette lighter. Not on 70 and 71 cars. Looks like the front sway bar is the smaller 1 7/8 not the larger 1 1/8 found on SS cars with the F41 suspension which I think was an option. Cool Chevelle regardless if it’s an original SS on not.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback, the car is a small block.
FYI the vacuum control system for the flapper on the hood is missing
Yes. But I believe there is an electric solenoid available now that connects to the throttle. Thanks for watching. 🙂
I'm no expert either. but would be nice to read body tag and vin there, but as I saw glimpse of steering shaft (between column and steering box) it look like small block shaft, because big block shaft would have had horizontal bolt at the lower end. Anyways look like it has original 72 dash, there is "Fasten Seatbelt" opening beside cigarette lighter and it has RPO F41 Perforrmance Suspension pieces at the rear, which include braces that are running from front lower control arm to upper arm attaching ponts. So, to me this would be 350SS from factory. But VIN would tell.
I’ve learned a lot from my own video. The 5th letter in the VIN is a J, so yes, it’s a small block car. Thanks for watching. 🙂
Look at the size of the break booster big block is smaller than the small block 😊
The green Chevelle has the small booster but it is after market. 😊
Hello, I really think you should keep the factory vacuum tanks in the car. Over the years things get lost or stolen, I would refinish the offending parts and let them be under the hood. The choice is yours. I took things out and regretted ever thinking those thoughts! That was an expensive lesson with factory a/c and smog equipment.
those arent factory.
I think someone may have added the vacuum tank and pump due to loss of brake feel when you use a larger camshaft. The car stops fine and none of that stuff is currently connected. Appreciate you watching. 🙂
Some assembly plants used metal inner fenders and some used plastic
Watching Patrick Glenn Nichols, videos he kinda made a big deal about SS cars having steel inner fenders. So much conflicting information out there. 🙂
Big block tachs red line at 5500 rpm
I am not an expert. To the best of my knowledge, if the VIN starts with "138", it is an SS and that's that. If it starts with "136", it may or may not be a true SS. We have Chevrolet to thank for that dandy. What's worse is repop Vin's have been around for years. It is believed that there are more 138 Chevelles today then Chevrolet made. Either way that is a sweet Chevelle!
That is only true up until 1968. The only way to know for sure on a 1972 is if you have a “W” in your VIN, which designates a 454. You could not get a 454 without the SS package in 1972.
1968 was the last year the first three numbers in the vin "138" proved it was a real SS .
Yes, you are correct! Thanks for watching. 😊
Thank you for clarifying @@jamespowell4608
@@chebu6841silly me. Thank you for clarification.
Looks like control arms were home made boxed
I thought so too but they actually go around the sway bar bolts. The plate won’t come off unless you remove the bolts.
Patrick Glenn Nichols he is the real deal. Especially 1970 SS Chevelle
Yeah, wish he did more 71-72 cars.
The steering wheel is not chevelle ss its a camaro wheel
I believe that steering wheel was an option as well.
It looks like the 12 bolt rear are BOP and not Chevy 12 bolt
I’ll have to check that out. My other car also has a 12 Bolt and it’s a GM for sure. I’ll have to take a look. 😊
I noticed that as well. The BOP 12 bolt rears have a smooth cover on the diff. Worth checking the numbers and taking off the cover to see the Carrier. Sharp Car
@ has a bit of a pinion seal leak. I’ll check it when we go in to repair this. Thanks for watching 🙂
I'm sorry, you're talking about a desirable 50 plus year old car, without proper documentation any 70- 72 Chevelle SS is to prove it a dicey proposition