I have a 70 1/2 Chevy Camaro, and I believe the car is an SS, but can't prove it because I don't know how to breakdown the numbers on the tag. I looked up the paint code, trim code, interior, birth date, etc, but don't know how to decode the two six digit numbers to find out is the car is really an SS. I also would like to know what motor was in the car from the factory. My dad has had the car since 85, and we were looking to restore it together, but I dont' see putting all this money into it if I never can prove what it is. Is there any way to breakdown these numbers to find out the identity of the car?

Jordan

I have a 70 1/2 Chevy Camaro, and I believe the car is an SS, but can't prove it because I don't know how to breakdown the numbers on the tag. I looked up the paint code, trim code, interior, birth date, etc, but don't know how to decode the two six digit numbers to find out is the car is really an SS. I also would like to know what motor was in the car from the factory. My dad has had the car since 85, and we were looking to restore it together, but I dont' see putting all this money into it if I never can prove what it is. Is there any way to breakdown these numbers to find out the identity of the car?

Jordan
Short answer: no.

If you can't find a build sheet (and it could be in a lot of places - or not at all) then it is detective time. Check individual components for application and dating. A big tip off: a '70 SS should have a 12 bolt if still original.

A big tip off: a '70 SS should have a 12 bolt if still original.

Only if it's a bigblock car.

The car had a 12 bolt with 4.11 gears, but my dad traded the gears for some GM factory 5.13 gears. So I need to be looking at fenders, frame rails, quarters etc. for identification numbers. The guy who owned the car before my dad told him that he blew up the original 325HP 396, and he didn't have it at the time we bought it. Didn't big block car have reinforcements at the back of the car below the trunk? Dad showed me reinforcements on the car that he says are only on big block cars. I appreciated the help.

Jordan

If you still have the rear end housing you could always get the codes off of it.

Heres the problem I see, since you do not have the org. motor and you don't have L-34 on the trim tag, the only thing to prove it's a SS is the build sheet. The build might be on top of the gas tank, under the carpet, in the back of the back seat, or even in the springs of the front seat, I've even frond one tucked under the dash pad.

Not to hijack this, but who puts the build sheets in these obscure locations?

Ok I will look on the rear end and the other places you specified. I appreciate the help and advice. Also what does L-34 mean? I thought only Norwood cars had theses codes. Based on my observation the LA cars don't tell you crap.

Ok I will look on the rear end and the other places you specified. I appreciate the help and advice. Also what does L-34 mean? I thought only Norwood cars had theses codes. Based on my observation the LA cars don't tell you crap.

L34 is the RPO code for the 350hp/396. Norwood put it on the cowl tag of the L34 equipped SS396. They also coded L78 on the tag for the 375hp/396 equipped SS396 cars. LA didn't code any of this into their cowl tags, but almost all LA cars have at least one copy of the build sheet stuffed into the car somewhere.

All 1970SS cars will have the 12 bolt rear end, even the SS350. If your 12 bolt was originally a 4.10, then the car would have originally had the L78 375hp/396 or it would have been a Z28 because those two engine options were the only ones that could get the 4.10 rear end in the 70 Camaro. Check the rear end code stamped on the passenger side axle tube.

Also, an SS396 will have the rear panel of the car painted black if the original paint is still there.

Not to hijack this, but who puts the build sheets in these obscure locations? the people on the line who built them. when the car is in a million pieces there easy to get to

Only if it's a bigblock car.
No - I am pretty certain that small block cars (SS) receive them also

... Check the rear end code stamped on the passenger side axle tube.

and the dating to see if it lines up with your car's build date

The car had a 12 bolt with 4.11 gears, but my dad traded the gears for some GM factory 5.13 gears. So I need to be looking at fenders, frame rails, quarters etc. for identification numbers. The guy who owned the car before my dad told him that he blew up the original 325HP 396, and he didn't have it at the time we bought it. Didn't big block car have reinforcements at the back of the car below the trunk? Dad showed me reinforcements on the car that he says are only on big block cars. I appreciated the help.

Jordan
If the motor is out you should be able to read the part number on the engine mounting brackets (frame side) with PN's 3964886 & 3982307 (would be same for Z).

Also if a BB car (or is that only L78 and not L34??) it would have the F41 meaning there should be rear sway bar mounts welded to the rear frame rails (not a guarantee as any Camaro could be ordered with F41 but another piece of the puzzle).

Does it have a factory tach? If so, what are the numbers?

I'm not sure the tach is original, but the yellow starts at 4700 rpms. I have read about this and I have been told the yellow should start at 5300 for a big block car. The car does have the rear sway bar mounts welded to the frame at the rear of the car. Is this true? Also, can I get the original build sheet from GM's Corporate office? I heard I could for like $150.00.

Thanks
Jordan

I'm not sure the tach is original, but the yellow starts at 4700 rpms. I have read about this and I have been told the yellow should start at 5300 for a big block car. The car does have the rear sway bar mounts welded to the frame at the rear of the car. Is this true? Also, can I get the original build sheet from GM's Corporate office? I heard I could for like $150.00.

Thanks
Jordan
If it was Canadian sold originally one can usually get the records (you'll have to check with some of our Canuck members for details). If it was sold in the USA then you're flat out of luck. The rumors have been around for years but i have heard that there are no records to sort through and utilize (unlike for Pontiac).

I'm not sure the tach is original, but the yellow starts at 4700 rpms. I have read about this and I have been told the yellow should start at 5300 for a big block car. The car does have the rear sway bar mounts welded to the frame at the rear of the car. Is this true? Also, can I get the original build sheet from GM's Corporate office? I heard I could for like $150.00.

Thanks
Jordan
IIRC, the red line on the SB should be 5K, on the L34 5500 and the L-78 at 6500 all with a max of 7K. a yellow starting t 4700 and red line-ing at 5K would sound like a SB tach to me.

What about the reinforcements in the rear of the car? Don't they constitute a big block car? Once I heard about the tach numbers I started to wonder, but who knows if the dash panel is the original one. Is there anything else I can look for?

Thanks
Jordan

Do you plan to restore this car back to factory spec. or a clean driver?

What about the reinforcements in the rear of the car? Don't they constitute a big block car?

I'm not aware of any reinforcements on big block Camaro bodies that made they any different from other Camaros. If someone else knows anything about them, hopefully they will chime in.

Honestly I am looking to sell the car, but don't want to sell it for nothing when it could turn out to be rare. The reinforcements I'm talking about are the F41 rear sway bar mounts welded to the rear frame rails.

Truth be know without the parts that made this car rare and I mean the org. big ticket items engine, trans, rear end. All you have is a 70 camaro that someone put a big block in. I know some people will see it different and maybe a SS or Z28 body should bring a little more but not that much more.

The reinforcements I'm talking about are the F41 rear sway bar mounts welded to the rear frame rails.

The upper swaybar mounts welded to the body would be on every Z28 and SS396 because they came standard with the rear swaybar. They would also be on any other Camaro that was ordered with F41 handling package. They were even installed on some Camaros that didn't get ordered with a rear swaybar, so they can't be used to identify any particular option except F41, and that isn't 100% either because of the few cars that had the mounts and no F41.

In everyone's opinion what is the car worth if I have the original trans, I sold the freakin rear end because we were going to back half the car originally, and no original motor. I have a guy offering me $1500.00 two guns and a 71 honda mini trail for it.

It all depends on what shap the body is in and what all you have to go with the car.

Car needs floor pans, quarters, maybe fenders, tail light panel, inside is in good shape and car comes with extra tail lights, dash panels, chrome trim etc.

Sound like you should take the money and run if you have no desire for the car.

Sound like you should take the money and run if you have no desire for the car.
^+1:bowtie:

That car needs a lot -

71 mini trail that seals the deal!!!!!!!!!!

Ok I'll get what I can then I guess. Is that a joke about the mini trail or are you serious?

Sorry for the total "newbie" question (and not to hijack the thread) but..

what makes a '70 a '70 1/2? I assume this has to be based on the build date but what is the cut-off/timeline?

Sorry for the total "newbie" question (and not to hijack the thread) but..

what makes a '70 a '70 1/2? I assume this has to be based on the build date but what is the cut-off/timeline?

A 70 and a 70 1/2 are the same thing. Some people refer to the 70 as the 70 1/2 because of the short build time. Some people say 70 1/2 because they don't know any better and have alway called it that. The truth of the matter is the is no such thing as a 70 1/2, it's a 70.

That covers it for me...thanks Robert.

1970 models did not start production till Jan of 1970. Normal model years run Aug to July of model year.

Due to production problems with sheet metal stamping dies, the 1970 was released later. The continued to built the 1969 model at Norwood until Dec of 1969 while the tooled up LA.