Hello. I was wondering if anyone could decode my vin and/or trim codes to tell me if this 1972 El Camino I recently purchased was originally an SS version? It does have an SS dash, but has a flat hood and bench seat. The vin#is 1D80H2L524805. The cowl code reads as follows:
ST 72-13680 L 03812 BDY
TR 704 A52 63 B PNT
11A 321580 040201

The car is in really great shape for its age and is hugger orange. I was wondering if this was the correct color also? Thanks in advance.......J

Jenn this should help some...

VIN Number 1D80H2L524805

1 ---------- Chevrolet Division
D ---------- Custom El Camino,Malibu,Concours
80 --------- 2-dr Pickup Delivery
H ---------- V-8 2-Barrel Carb (a 350)
2 ---------- Model Year 2=1972
L ---------- Assembly Plant Van Nuys, California
Last six digits are the basic production number

Cowl Tag

ST72 ------ Model Year 1972
13680 ------ El Camino Custom
L ----------- Assembly Plant Van Nuys, California
03812 ---- Production Sequence
TR704 ----- Trim Code Black Vinyl
A52 -------- Seat Type Bench
63 ---------- Paint Code Burnished Copper Metallic
B ----------- usually means a Black Vinyl top
11A -------- Build Date November the 1st Week

no info on the other numbers.

Jenn, the 'H' in the VIN number is for a 350 2-barrel carb, and it is not possible to gaurantee its an SS model. The 1972 Elky with a 454 is the easiest to identify as an SS because it will have a 'W' where yours has an 'H'. The W signifies a 454 and that was only available in the SuperSport model. I have one of those - although the engine is gone from mine and now sports a 350.

This link is from Dan Carr, one of the foremost Elky researchers on the web. He doesnt guarantee its 100% accurate either, but I am willing to bet its as accurate a research site as is currently available: How to Spot a Genuine SS Chevelle/El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html#72)

As you will see from his research, many different options were available, and your car could probably be ordered with a lot of the SS options but that doesnt make it a true SS....or does it? so identification is decidely difficult, with the possible lone exception being the 72 SS 454....

but what the heck, no one else can say thats its not, correct??? :-)