Factory Option Codes

[Scully]

Along with the old owners manual, twenty years of receipts and miscellaneous goodies I got from the previous owner of my '81 Conquista, I came across what looks to be the original bill of lading from the factory (General Motors Assembly Plant, Fremont, CA) to the dealership that sold my El Camino. As well as listing all of the options that the vehicle came with, the dealership it was going, VIN, job sequence number,etc. there are numerous references to the options listed (actually I count 106 boxes filled with information codes ie; #26-engine: DHB**, #27-trans.-8XK, #86-radio: 650).

Does anyone know how I can decipher this info? Is there a manual or guide book that explains these codes? I'm interested in restoring the truck to original condition, and certain items such as color (it is apparent the car has been painted at least once), trim package, etc. would be helpful in doing so.

[ElkySS]

Here's a link for 1966-71

http://www.dalesplace.com/htm/information/rpocodes.htm

Here's a link for 1987

http://www.psiflex.com/ss/rpo.htm

And, they are all listed in Cars & Parts, Catalog of Chevelle, Malibu and El Camino ID Numbers (1964-87). Available from Cars & Parts Magazine and other book stores.

Be careful of internet based lists of RPO codes. I found lots of them, but they are often "model" specific. So, if you don't find RPO Z15 = Super Sport (after 1970), then you likely aren't looking at an El Camino based RPO code list. (RPO Z25 = SS 396 in 1969-70, Z15 = SS 454 in 1970-75). (In 1968, only, the El Camino Super Sport was denoted by its own body style number - 13880, on the body number plate mounted on the engine compartment cowl).

[Scully]

Thanks, Dan. I apppreciate the advice and plan on picking up a copy. Sounds like this is just what I was looking for.