School me on SS427s!

[PeteLeathersac]

If anyone cares here's an example of one of the unique Canadian Suffixes as mentioned above..
This one is from a Canadian built and GM Vintage documented '68 SS427 Coupe L36/Stick car..
Not that it has anything to do w/ the Suffix code but yes it's a Z24 equipped SS427 car, not an Impala SS w/ a 427..

Engine stamping # T12143T
Obviously Tonawanda Dec. 14'th '67
Suffix 3T = Canadian L36 Manual Trans


~ Pete

[Dog427435]

[markjohnson]

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Remember the thread........included pics of a tag he'd saved that was an additional tag (perhaps inner fender mounted) that had 'Special' or something to that effect on it?.


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Special order

[/ QUOTE ] Wow! This was an awesome thread to re-visit. I absolutely love that gold, non-vinyl top '66 Caprice. All three are just beautiful examples. I would have loved to seen all three in person.

[Tarrytown SS427s]

Pete,
Do you have a copy of the GM docs for that car? I've never seen a suffix like that 3T one before. 68 4 speed L36 codes were IE and IH. This info would have been stamped at Tonowanda..
Steve

[PeteLeathersac]

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Pete,
Do you have a copy of the GM docs for that car? I've never seen a suffix like that 3T one before. 68 4 speed L36 codes were IE and IH. This info would have been stamped at Tonowanda..
Steve

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Check your emails Steve as I'm forwarding the complete Canadian documents for the '68 SS427 L36 car I used in my example..

Your comments are on the ball and exactly why I've been preaching these Canadian suffixes for years but few have ever seemed to care...or understand what I've been blabbing about?.

And to clarify, the example is not a stamping mistake or a one-off situation as many Canadian cars had different Alpha Numeric suffixes plus lots of unique Numeric-Numeric suffixes exist too!.

Something I've always thought interesting w/ a mixed Alpha/Numeric suffix too but reversed w/ the Alpha first instead of the Numeric first like the Canadian code above is the Gibb Nova E3 Suffix..
Does anyone know of more mixed Alpha/Numeric suffixes w/ the Alpha first like the Gibb cars had?.


~ Pete

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I like real cars best...the REAL real ones!

[442w30]

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Guess I have to weigh in lol .. when you ordered a SS427 you no longer were buying a Impala as all Impala nameplates were removed they wanted to draw attenting to the engine with this package. There actully was a few SS427`s that left the factory with "Impala SS" fender badges apparently by accident they were early cars and only a handful were released. Another tid bit is there were only a handfull of Imapala SS with the 385hp 427 ever made I have heard 15 - 20 as it was a special order and not publicized as there did not want to step on the toes of the SS427 RPO. Officially the last year for a full Impala SS assemblly line was 1968. in 1969 they did exactly what the previous poster said slapped badges on a run of the mill impala on the line and called it a SS Impala .

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So here's the other guy I was chatting with last weekend.

But, Paul, some people here suggest what you've written above is incorrect.

For what you've written to be true, the VIN will tell the tale - I'm betting the SS427 was not a model with its own unique VIN. Just because the SS427 may not have Impala nomenclature doesn't mean it's its own model or that it's not even an Impala. . . hell, you've even posted links to the site that suggests the SS427 was an option package!

So color me confused!

[SuperNovaSS]

Wait, this sounds like symantics. Just because the VIN does not designate it does not mean it was not its own model. The 64-68 Chevelle SS had a unique VIN. The 69 did not. Does that mean the 69 Chevelle SS396 was not its own model?


Jason

[442w30]

Yes, that is correct.

[Paul Vitale]

This is just my personal opinion after reading and collecting information on this model for 25 years. Everyone has a right not to agree with me lol. I guess my common sense asks, Why would they sell a car with out an impala nameplate on it? 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. If you read the articles out there they complained

"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

"ONLY the SS and 427 medallions say this car differs from run-of-the-mill Impala family sedans. Yes but Price, appointments and appearance, however, put this particular vehicle in the luxury car class."

It was all about sensationalizing the 427 mystique.

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 ..

Paul

[Paul Vitale]

I have drooled over the pic of your car many times even considered building one after seeing your car on the SS427 site. She is a beautiful example of what sleeper was all about back in the day.. Would have loved to take it for a test burn .. The Black/Red interior Impala SS 427 4 speed at the pure stock drags is my car there is a pic on this thread someone posted ..

Paul