I have a 1972 el camino that i cannot find out if it is an ss or not. I was wondering how i can find it out. I have decoded the tag on the fender but it didnt tell me. I was wondering if there is another tag that will tell me if it is an ss or not. Any help would be appreciated.

What is the 8th digit of your vin# ? I believe W is correct for a 454. Does your car have the round gauge dash, 12 bolt, correct steering shaft, disc brakes? Has it ever been apart? If not chances are there's a build sheet inside that will verify it. Also if you have the protecto plate then the original engine and trans code are on there. Do the numbers on the front of the block match the last 6 of the vin?

Dave

The SS was just an option package and is not coded anywhere. You would need original documentation for that.

The one exception that could narrow it down is the Engine. Please list the VIN from the top of dash at base of windshield. Basically the SS option was available with any OPTIONAL extra cost V8 engine. The 307 was a base engine and thus not an optional engine. it was the standard engine in the V8 Malibu, many people like to argue the 307 was available with the SS option but that is NOT TRUE.

If the 5th digit happens to be a W, then it has to be a SS because the W is the 454 engine which was ONLY available if the SS option was ordered.

So the engine code can rule out the possibility.

If either of these codes appear in the 5th digit, it is not an SS optioned car.
D - 250 cid 6 cyl
F - 307 cid V8

These engines could be a SS
H - 350 2bbl
J - L48 350 4bbl
U - 400 4bbl (labeled SS306 is SS option, 400 if not)
W - 454 Only available with Z15 SS option

If you want to PM me the body tag info and the VIN tag info, I will de-code it for you. I owned a 72 SS Elky brand new in 1972.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/72ElcaminoSS-1.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/72ELC.jpg