Just purchased a 1982 Maroon El Camino, which has the silver SS decals on the doors and tailgate. It does not appear to have been repainted, so I just need to confirm whether it is a real SS or just a clone. Already decoded the VIN, so I know it has a 305. Would appreciate if someone could decode the full cowl tag info for me. Note, this request was also posted in the RPO forum.

VIN:
1GCCW80H9CR197184

Cowl Info:
C 05C 1GW80 R 176614
26N 29L Z1M 29U L
AM6
15 1643

VIN:
1GCCW80H9CR197184

1 - Country of Origin=USA
G - GM
C - El Camino
C - Type = 4001-5001 Lbs GVWR
W - Series=Malibu Classic-El Camino
80 - Pickup Body Style
H - RPO LG4 305 V8
9 - Check Digit (complicated way to ID a bogus VIN)
C - 1982
R - Arlington TX final assembly
197184 - Production sequence number

Cowl Info:
C 05C 1GW80 R 176614
C - ?
05C - May, 3rd week produced
1GW80 - El Camino 2 dr pickup
R - Assembly plant code for Arlington
176641 - Assigned body from accepted orders

26N 29L Z1M 29U L
26N - Dark Blue Trim
29L - Lower color is Dk Blue Poly
29U - Upper color is Dk Blue Poly
Z1M - ?? Check this again. SS Pkg is Z15
L - Paint type is Lacquer
AM6 - Seat type, front split 3-pass with center armrest

15 1643 internal plant processing code

Mike,

I did double check the cowl tag, and it is Z1M not Z15. So I can only assume it is not a SS. It currently is painted maroon with a matching interior including a 55/45 split seat. Whoever painted it did a good job as it does not look like it was repainted. They proablbly just added the SS stickers to make it look like a SS.

If anyone can tell me what the Z1M code is, I would appreciate it.

I did not mean to infer that the lack of Z15 indictes its not a SS I thought it might be possible that Z1M was misread.

I looked at all the RPO code books and find Z1M refers to power seat adjuster. Does it have a power seat?

There should be a option code sticker in the glove box or somewhere on the car that would have all the options codes on it. But if its been repainted then it could have been removed.

You can get a copy of the orignal invoice by contacting GM Archives. They have mircoflim dating back to 1978. I tmay take a long time to get a reply, one one girl handles all requests and she gets swamped with requests.

gmma.research@gm.com

I did not mean to infer that the lack of Z15 indictes its not a SS I thought it might be possible that Z1M was misread.

I looked at all the RPO code books and find Z1M refers to power seat adjuster. Does it have a power seat?

There should be a option code sticker in the glove box or somewhere on the car that would have all the options codes on it. But if its been repainted then it could have been removed.

You can get a copy of the orignal invoice by contacting GM Archives. They have mircoflim dating back to 1978. I tmay take a long time to get a reply, one one girl handles all requests and she gets swamped with requests.

gmma.research@gm.com

Thanks for the info. It does have a power seat and power windows. In looking at the OPG catalog, the silver SS decals it has were from 86 and 87 only. Also, the interior looks like the Monte Carlo SS interior.

My mechanic told me today it has the 305 H.O. engine in it.

Gary

If you cant find out from the numbers, check for the following which was in the SS package:

1. Large front air dam
2. Sport Mirrors
3. Ralley wheels
4. Super Sport identification on the dash above the glove box
5. Super Sport decals on lower doors and tailgate.

The lack of the proper front air dam, mirrors and/or the id plate on the dash are usual indicators of a clone.

If yours has all these items, its probable that it is an SS, of course someone could get all this stuff ti create a clone, but its a lot of trouble for little extra value.

Incidentally, it doesnt have to be a V8 to be a SS. I have a true SS that came with a V6 engine. I know it to be an SS because it has been in my family since it was new. In 82, the SS package was cosmetic for the most part.

If you cant find out from the numbers, check for the following which was in the SS package:

1. Large front air dam
2. Sport Mirrors
3. Ralley wheels
4. Super Sport identification on the dash above the glove box
5. Super Sport decals on lower doors and tailgate.

The lack of the proper front air dam, mirrors and/or the id plate on the dash are usual indicators of a clone.

If yours has all these items, its probable that it is an SS, of course someone could get all this stuff ti create a clone, but its a lot of trouble for little extra value.

Incidentally, it doesnt have to be a V8 to be a SS. I have a true SS that came with a V6 engine. I know it to be an SS because it has been in my family since it was new. In 82, the SS package was cosmetic for the most part.

It has everything you listed except for the SS indentification on the dash and on the cowl tag(no Z15). Also, based on what I saw in the OPG catalog, the SS decals that are on it were only available in 86 & 87. Also, the guages and tach look like the later style (the speedometer appears to be original). It was originally dark blue (based on the decoded cowl tag above), but was repainted at some point into a maroon/burgundy with matching interior. It does have the correct 55/45 power seat, although in the maroon color as opposed to the original dark blue.

It may be a clone, but at least it's my clone.

Happy to have another "elky", had a 76 back when it was new.

This is starting to sound like it might be a car that was in a wreck and then fixed with parts from other cars from all you desribe?

Why would they repaint everything in another color and even find a matching interior? I wonder if the trim tag is from another car because that part of the car is from another car? Look for sign of accident rebuilding. Look under carpets and behing door panels to find the original colors.

I would find out for sure before investing a lot of $$ into car. Maybe a Carfax would be in order.

This is starting to sound like it might be a car that was in a wreck and then fixed with parts from other cars from all you desribe?

Why would they repaint everything in another color and even find a matching interior? I wonder if the trim tag is from another car because that part of the car is from another car? Look for sign of accident rebuilding. Look under carpets and behing door panels to find the original colors.

I would find out for sure before investing a lot of $$ into car. Maybe a Carfax would be in order.

Mike,

I did run a Carfax on it, and the only thing that showed up was that the mileage had rolled past 5 digits. I already knew this, as it it is listed on the KY title. No accident damage or other issues reported.

So I can only assume that one of the previous owners had the car repainted, and redid the interior to match.

I plan on sending to GM for the origincal invloice, this might clear some things up as well.