SS 396 Sport Stripes

 

Both SS 396 body styles came with body stripe decals running the full length of the lower body panel as part of the SS 396 series. Standard stripe color was probably dependent on body and/or interior color but nothing has been found as of yet to document the color combinations. From cars I've seen, other body color/stripe colors could be ordered. Black,  blue, and red stripes have been seen on white bodies; the black-striped example had a black interior, the blue-striped example had a blue interior, while the red-striped example had a red interior. Red stripes have been seen on black, white, and maroon bodies but white stripes have also been found on maroon bodies. Blue stripes have been seen on white bodies only.

 

Tuxedo Black w/red stripes


Ermine White w/red stripes

Ermine White w/blue stripes


Madeira Maroon w/red stripes

 

 

Many SS 396 owners choose to either remove the stripes entirely or only replace the two horizontal stripes during restoration. Regular Production Option D96 added the top stripe over the wheel well openings. This SS 396 owned by Dennis Lyons is a fine example of an original 25K mile SS 396 with the optional RPO D96 stripes. Also note the D96 stripe option included a thicker (wider) lower stripe.

 

There is an ongoing debate whether the RPO Z29 vinyl stripe was standard on all SS 396 Chevelles or an option even though all current GM documentation states the stripes were part of the SS 396 series. The problem arises because the total number of Z29 stripes and D96 stripes (49580+4770=54350) does not total the number of SS 396 sport coupes and convertibles (59685+3321=63006). Many contend (and I'm in this group) that the number of options in the list above reportedly sold were reported only because some plants listed the Z29 stripes on their list of equipment installed on the car simply to account for inventory but were not necessarily optional that a buyer could choose.

 

If one takes a look at this one example, a May-built SS 396 sport coupe from Baltimore, the Z29 stripe is shown on this dealer invoice but is listed at a cost of .00, just like the black bench seat and exterior paint color is listed at, essentially, no cost. The interior and exterior colors were naturally the buyer's choice but there was not a cost involved.

 

Here is another SS 396 sport coupe, a November-built Chevelle from Kansas City, showing a cost of .00 for the Z29 vinyl stripe.

 

Another nice example of the D96 stripes on a Nantucket Blue SS 396

 

Beside each stripe color listed below are body colors seen with that stripe color.

 

STRIPE COLOR	SS 396 BODY COLORS
Stripe vs. body colors listed below are my observations of color combinations. To date I have found no documentation stating what color stripe was standard with what color body. Somewhere there is a GM chart #3919912 that should have the stripe color for lower body colors.
	Black:  Ermine White (black interior)** Ermine White (turquoise interior) Ermine White (729 blue interior)** Ermine White (blue interior) Granada Gold (black interior) Granada Gold (gold interior) Mountain Green (black interior) Emerald Turquoise (black interior) Emerald Turquoise (turquoies inerior) Bolero Red (black interior) Sierra Fawn (fawn interior) Capri Cream (black interior) Capri Cream (gold interior) Butternut Yellow. (black interior)
	White:  Tuxedo Black (black interior) Nantucket Blue (blue interior) Deepwater Blue (black interior) Deepwater Blue (blue interior) Marina Blue (black interior) Marina Blue (blue interior) Madeira Maroon (black interior)** Tahoe Turquoise (black interior) Tahoe Turquoie )turquoie inerior) Royal Plum (black interior) Bolero Red (red interior)
	* Red: Tuxedo Black (black interior) Ermine White (red interior) Madeira Maroon (black interior) Madeira Maroon (red interior)
	* Blue: Ermine White (blue interior)

* The Assembly Instruction Manual only shows Black and White stripe decals but red stripes have been seen with Tuxedo Black exterior with black interior; Ermine White exterior with red interior and Madeira Maroon exterior with black interior; and one with blue stripes with Ermine White exterior and blue interior.

** Known D96 stripes

 

The breakdown of stripe colors from internal documentation includes:

 

First part number is for left hand, second part number (-n) is right hand. 1. 3919925-6 Black 1. 3919927-8 White 2. 3919933-4 Black 2. 3919935-6 White 3. 3919929-30 Black 3. 3919931-2 White 4. 3919913 Black 4. 3919915 White 5. 3919917-8 Black 5. 3919919-20 White 6. 3919921-2 Black 6. 3919923-4 White 7. 3919912 Decal Chart

Note the stripe decals extended to the inside of the door and rear quarter panel; AIM calls for approx. .25" overlap.

 

Stripe wraps a little further inside the door on this particular car.