Q: Don't all Super Sports come with
gauges?
A: Commonly held mistake, gauges were NOT standard equipment on
the SS 396 series. There were two gauge options, RPO U14 Special
Instrumentation and RPO U16 Tachometer. The tachometer (RPO U16)
could be ordered by itself with ANY V8 engine and ANY series and
body style. The Special Instrumentation which included a water temperature
gauge, an ammeter, oil pressure gauge, and tachometer could be ordered
on ANY V8 Malibu or SS 396 sport coupe, convertible, or pickup.
Q: Didn't all Super Sports come with
bucket seats?
A: No, a bench seat was standard. Bucket seats (RPO A51) were optional
on ANY Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or pickup. The console (RPO
D55) was also optional and was NOT part of the bucket seat option.
One could order bucket seats with or without a console but one COULD
NOT order a console without bucket seats.
Q: Wasn't a 4-speed standard on the SS?
A: No, the standard transmission on the SS 396 series was the Muncie
heavy duty 3-speed manual and was floor shifted. Optional transmissions
included the 2-speed Powerglide automatic, 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic,
and a 4-speed manual transmission. A 3-speed manual Saginaw transmission
was also standard on all other Chevelles, a manual 3-speed with
overdrive, the 2-speed Powerglide and 4-speed manual were options.
The 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic was only available as an option behind
a 396 engine.
With the exception of the 325hp L79 327 engine, the 195hp
283 and the 275hp 327 were equipped with a Saginaw 4-speed when
a 4-speed was ordered; the 325hp L79 and all three 396 engines
would get the aluminum case Muncie 4-speed. RPO code M20 was
identical for any 4-speed transmission; the specific engine
determined which 4-speed (Saginaw vs. Muncie) the car would
be equipped with.
Q: Was there an SS 396 El Camino?
A: No, the SS 396 El Camino was not available until 1968. One could
order any optional V8 engine including any of the three 396 engines
plus the TH400 (in conjunction with a 396 engine) in either V8 El Camino
series, 13480 or 13680. However this did not include the SS 396 hood
nor any SS 396 badging although these were popular add-ons by many owners.