School me on SS427s!

[67BelAir427]

Thanks Paul! Love to see some more photos of that beautiful SS427. Marc

[442w30]

Paul:

Paul:

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I guess my common sense asks, Why would they sell a car with out an impala nameplate on it?

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Perhaps the same reason why Oldsmobile sold the Aurora without any reference to Olds? I can't profess to know, but while your reasoning is sound, it's just a theory that isn't supported by the VIN, right?

Think of it another way: Pontiac had a 2+2 in 1967. It was an option package, I believe. Does it say Catalina on it?

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This Model ,Package, Car has a Name SS427 It is on all 4 sides of the vehicle with the only other designation Chevrolet. As to the vin it was the most cost effective route using the standard sports roof designation. They were making a special car different and 1 step up from a run of the mill Impala SS and focusing on the legendary 427 engine.


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I don't see it as focusing on the "legendary 427 engine" as much as offering a full-size performance package, since the SS really was never a hi-po package to begin with.


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"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

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I think 5 grand is an exaggeration. Perhaps the example you quite was close to that number, but the average musclecar probably sold for more like $3800-4000. While the SS427 was not the average musclecar, if you get an SS and add the SS427 package and a few power accessories, I don't think it'll reach up to the 5s.



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It was all about sensationalizing the 427 mystique.

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Never thought there was a mystique with the 427 - just a good engine. However, compare it with a L88 (yes, I realize it's a 427 too!) or Stage 2 or RAV and you'll find engines with mystiques. Guess that's a subjective one, eh?

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It makes perfect sense that it would be a package as they only made 2400 of these wonderful cars .. But in my eyes there always gonna be something other than an Impala ..


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But, on the other hand, there are plenty of "models" that are rarer than the SS427, so I see that only as a theory. Ditto for the inverse - the 1965 GTO was an option package, and they made over 70,000 of 'em!

[Paul Vitale]

Reguarding the Aurora you better take a look at the radio in the dash. Yep it Says Oldsmobile.....

You already digressed to the ss396 Vin .. As you can see it was the most economical decision with a run of 2100 cars. Why change the vin ..

As to your 2+2 comment it was a standalone Model that they removed the Catalina name from which reverted to a option package you might want to rethink your example ..

"Pontiac 2+2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pontiac 2+2 Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Parisienne 2+2 (in Canada)
Production 1964-1967 in the U.S.
Class sports grand tourer

The Pontiac 2+2 was a full size high performance automobile manufactured by Pontiac Motor Division. It debuted in 1964 as an interior trim option with special door panels, buckets seats and center console on the Pontiac Catalina. Pontiac marketed the 2+2 as the "big brother" to the popular Pontiac GTO.

****[1]Beginning in 1965, 2+2 became a standalone model, and the name Catalina was no longer found on the car.****

The 2+2 was given the 421 cubic inch power plant, dual exhaust, heavy duty front springs as well as its own outer body trim appointments. It officially became its own series in 1966[2], on the same platform, but reverted again to an option in 1967[3] and was discontinued in the United States the same year due to poor sales. It continued as a series in Canada until 1970.

I was a stand alone model 65 ,66 , and changed to an option in 67 obviously it was not a catalinia thats why the name is not on it ..


"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

This Quote was taken from a test drive of the SS427 in 1967 so the price was fairly accurate to who ever wrote the article. I believe you think I just gussed at that number if you want the article I can supply you with a link.



As to having Mystique

It was mysterious enough that they made only 2100 of this car and we are all talking about it today lol . Every time I have my car out I am asked where the hood louvers are and the V nameplates. maybe it is more notorious than mysterious .. I agree it was all about taking it to the next performance level with the Corvette power plant no doubt...


I digress to your last comment there is no black and white as to why they did things at Chevrolet it is what it is ya know ..


And here is a couple of write up highlights about how other people feel about what the SS427 was all about ..

" NOT to be confused or mistaken as an SS Impala with big engine, the SS427 was available only as RPO Z24. Any Chevrolet could be ordered in the late ‘60s with a 427, but the SS427 was a special high performance vehicle. The SS427 was first introduced in 1967 and was build produced through model year 1969. 1967/68 RPO Z24 shared the Impala SS trim options but was fitted with HD components; the L36 385HP/427, special badging, front bucket seats/console as the Impala SS and special instrumentation-optional was the 425HP/427 L72 solid lifter-V8. For 1967 a special ‘V’ sculptured hood with three chrome air duct ‘pots’, SS427 grille/deck badging and special ‘V’ flagged 427 front fender emblem. Available in both convertible and 2dr hardtop versions, the SS427 was billed and marketed by Chevrolet as, “For the man who’d buy a sports car if it had this much room.” 1968 saw a facelift and new SS427 ‘domed’ hood with chrome vent at the windshield, and front fender vertical chrome louvers. It should be noted that the Impala SS as a model was dropped at the end of 1968. 1969 was another facelift with the RPO Z24 SS427 Impala as the only big Chevrolet to wear SS markings. Emblems consisted of the front fender Chevrolet big car family 427 marking, SS emblem below the front fender Impala script, black accented grille with SS marking and SS rear deck emblem. Interior trim was the same as the standard Impala with SS emblem on the steering wheel center-bench seating and column shift were standard fair with front bucket seating and floor console now optional. L72 425HP/427 was an option again for 1968-69 and along with the hardtop and convertible body style, for 68/69 the Impala Custom Coupe was also available with RPO Z24 SS427 package. The only transmissions available with RPO Z24 were the Turbo 400 or 4-speed manual. RPO Z24 build; 2,124/1967, 1,778/1968, 2,455/1969. Recently sold at Barrett-Jackson 1967 SS427 convertible $85,800.00. 1968 SS427 convertible $73,700.00. "


"Now keep in mind that the Super Sport option that had made Impalas so popular in the early '60s was still available in '67. But it was essentially a trim package that included bucket seats, special badging, and extra trim, so you could order it with just about any engine-even a six-cylinder. The Bow-Tie boys figured they could take the SS Impala concept one step further and make an engine-specific version-one with an engine that was powerful enough to make this large car muscular. So they dipped into the Corvette parts bin, pulled out the Mark IV 427 Turbo-Jet V-8, and created the SS427 ."

I guess call it what you want still one of the coolest cars GM produced wish I had one ..


Paul

[JohnZ]

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You're correct, until one of the supposed few that were produced turns up lol

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I had one when I worked at Chevrolet Engineering - tagged it for employee purchase the day it arrived in the Company Car Fleet garage; L-72 4-speed SS427, special-ordered by Engineering for Chassis Development. It hit the 3,000-mile mark in December, and I bought it and drove it home just before Christmas; sold it in Flint a couple of years later.

Removed the "Special Order" tag from the left side front fender reinforcement and put it in my rollaway just before I sold it, still have the tag - photo below. There may not have been any L-72 SS427's built on dealer order for retail sale, but there was at least one built for Engineering; I bought several sets of rear tires for it in the two years I owned it.

[Tarrytown SS427s]

John,
Do you have any memory of a red 68 Biscayne 427/385 stick ordered by engineering to test posi clutches? I was talking to a guy who bought this car from Chevrolet after it had traveled in circles for 3,000 miles worth of testing!

[Bill Pritchard]

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The 64-68 Chevelle SS had a unique VIN. The 69 did not. <font color="red"> Does that mean the 69 Chevelle SS396 was not its own model?</font>
Jason

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That would be correct...the 69 Chevelle SS396 was NOT its own model. The SS396 was just an option package on various models of the 69 Chevelle.

[SuperNovaSS]

Bill,

I guess I do not understand the conversation then. To me, a Camaro RS, SS, Z/28, etc. are all different models based on the same body style. So yes, I believe a SS396 Chevelle is its only model. Also, I believe a Impala SS and Impala SS427 are both their own separate models.


Jason

[442w30]

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I guess I do not understand the conversation then. To me, a Camaro RS, SS, Z/28, etc. are all different models based on the same body style. So yes, I believe a SS396 Chevelle is its only model. Also, I believe a Impala SS and Impala SS427 are both their own separate models.



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Is a Camaro SS a Camaro V-8 with the SS package? Certainly! Yet we don't often say it's a "Camaro with the SS performance package." Ditto with the GTO Judge.

So what about the SS396 Chevelle from 1969? I suspect they made it an option available on numerous Chevelles due to the Plymouth Road Runner . . . but it still doesn't answer why it became an option package instead of continuing as a model with more bodystyles available.

Paul, I'll be back to address your response later.

A little secret to all: Paul's car is gonna appear in print one day.

[Dog427435]

Paul, though I enjoy it immensely I've learned you can't win an argument with Diego!!

[442w30]

What argument? Just trying to get to the bottom of this. One of the reasons is because I am writing about the SS427 in my blog and would like to get it right. Considering all the misinformation out there on all brands despite 40+ years of these cars, wouldn't it be nice to lick each misinformed nugget one by one?