[Bill Pritchard]

To try and answer questions posed by GMC Typhoon and jer earlier in this thread, the SS396 option on the two 300 Deluxe models (coupe and sedan) was not as unknown to many Chevrolet dealers as were the COPO cars. As Mitch pointed out, it was only available in the 1969 model year, intended to be in direct competition with the very popular Plymouth Road Runner and Dodge Super Bee. Problem was that while the Road Runner and Super Bee were a new concept in the 1968 model year, the Chevrolet Super Sport models had been around for a number of years as top-of-the-line offerings, with high grade interior trim and extra exterior ornamentation. Chevrolet customers were accustomed to this higher level of content on Super Sports, so when the lesser equipped 300 Deluxe Super Sports came out, they were not well received by the Chevrolet crowd.

As far as the L78 and L89 option availability, they were clearly listed on the back side of the order form as being available, and perhaps some dealerships didn't look at the back side of the order form, thinking all available options were on the front side. Any dealer that stocked or sold high performance cars certainly knew of those options, as they were both around for the 1968 model year also.