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.

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