Early 70 Chevelle Vin Mecum
 

Was looking at the description of this LS-5 Chevelle, and it shows a picture of the vin to be what looks like a Baltimore car with a vin starting at 109. Wouldn't that be kind of early for a LS-5 car.
Or am I looking at it wrong? When was the first LS-5 built?
Thanks

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0121-44...t-chevelle-ss/

with all it's other problems , just add that to the list .......

454's were not to be installed before January 1st. There are always a handful of exceptions, but I don't know that they would have gotten one out that early.

I'm not an expert on 70 Chevelle's yet but its my understanding the LS5 and L34 were available the entire production year. The LS6 came out in late November or early December of 1969 and the L78 was discontinued shortly before that.

----As far as I know, you are correct, Carnut!....Bill S

I always understood that they were waiting for the new designed M22(the entire hold-up) for 454 production which wasnt until mid December. Rick will be along soon to correct everyone.

I looked at a LS5/M22 70 Chevelle built in September of 69 a while back so I'm pretty sure that's not the case. Rick, where are you...

Anything built prior to 12/69 would draw my suspicion. Several threads on the Chevelle site have approached this subject over the years.........12C seems to be on the early end of documented ones.

I know our previously owned documented LS5 convertible was very early at 12C.

According to my database the earliest LS5 is mid September and the earliest LS6 is mid October and believed to be a Pilot car. I have a few more from October thru December.

Doing more research it seems the LS5 WAS available from the beginning.

Looks like 09D on the trim tag

My Baltimore built L78 Chevelle's sequence number starts with 108 and has an 09D trim tag. Ordered 8/14/69 and delivered 10/14/69.

Most likely both M40 cars, right Rick? The fine spline M22 which was to be put behind the LS5/6 was delayed until approx. December of 1969. What is the earliest documented M22 you know of?

My original 26 spline M-22 from my LS-5 Chevelle is dated POT19C, Dec.19,69. Car Baltimore built Feb.2,70.

Baltimore:

Monte Carlos were available in October with the LS5. I have 3 build sheets confirming it albeit with TH400. The earliest Baltimore LS5 Malibu I have a build sheet on is dated December 16 w/4-speed.

Atlanta:
Six LS5 Malibu build sheets in mid-December w/LS5.

Our convertible was 12/17 with M22 out of Van Nuys......build sheet documented.

After reading through the transmission section on Dale's website and hearing from owners I'm convinced any LS5/M22 before December of 69 would be suspect without documentation to back it up. Another reason this is the best site on the web!