1971 SS-Optioned Chevelle

1971 SS-Optioned Malibu

The SS hoods and stripes

Special Domed Hood

© Chevelle SS Guide
The SS option included a domed hood with hood pins. Hood and Deck stripes were optional on any V8 Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup whether SS optioned or not.

RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System

© Chevelle SS Guide
RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System was optional on the SS with either the 402cid 300-hp LS3 engine or the 454cid 365-hp LS5. Neither 350 cid engine could get the ZL2 hood.

Stripes

When RPO ZL2 was checked on the order sheet, the standard domed hood was replaced with a cowl induction hood that has a vacuum controlled 'flapper' that would open when the engine was under throttle. Part of the ZL2 option was the D88 Hood & Deck stripes. These could be deleted when ordering the ZL2 at the buyer's request, unlike the mistaken notion they could be deleted from the special domed hood when they were an option on the domed hood (and the standard Malibu hood as well). The ZL2 option added another $158.00.

The stripes could be deleted when the ZL2 option was ordered if approved by the Fleet & Special Order group, hence the common term "stripe delete." The term does not apply if the RPO ZL2 hood was not ordered. If a non-ZL2 optioned Malibu didn't have stripes, they simply were not ordered initially. When any F&SO was involved, the build sheet would note it. Each plant had their own method of showing any F&SO request. This Kansas City build sheet example shows the F&SO number (K0296) and typed instructions to DELETE STRIPES PER F&SO. Other plants may or may not show the F&SO number and simply hand write the instructions.

The F&SO process could also request a different color stripe than the 'recommended' color.

Stripe colors matrix

Chevrolet had 'standard' stripe colors based on (1) the car's lower body color and (2) the top color.

Exterior Paint Code - Color	Sport Coupe w/o Vinyl Roof Cover		Vinyl Roof Cover or Convertible Top
Exterior Paint Code - Color	Regular Stripe	Optional White * Stripe	Black Vinyl or Convertible	White Vinyl or Convertible	Blue Vinyl	Brown Vinyl	Green Vinyl
11 - Antique White	Black	n/a	Black	Black	Black	---	---
13 - Nevada Silver	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	---
19 - Tuxedo Black	White	n/a	White	White	White	---	White
24 - Ascot Blue	Black	White	Black	White	Black	---	---
26 - Mulsanne Blue	Black	White	Black	White	Black	---	---
42 - Cottonwood Green	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	Black
43 - Lime Green	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	Black
49 - Antique Green	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	Black
52 - Sunflower Yellow	Black	White	Black	White	Black	Black	Black
53 - Placer Gold	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	---
61 - Sandalwood	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	---
62 - Burnt Orange	Black	White	Black	White	---	Black	---
67 - Classic Copper	Black	White	Black	White	---	Black	---
75 - Cranberry Red	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	---
78 - Rosewood	Black	White	Black	White	---	---	---

All two-tone combinations were white.

Stripe Per Assembly Instruction Manual

© Chevelle SS Guide
The RPO D88 stripes were included with the ZL2 hood and even though the Assembly Instruction Manual states for 13637-67-80 (SS ONLY), RPO D88 stripes could be ordered on any V8 Malibu sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup at an additional $79.00 cost.

© Chevelle SS Guide
Note the deck stripes are shown in the drawing to be rounded on both ends but all original stripes found to date have the inside corner square.

Square Stripes

© Chevelle SS Guide

Both Arlington and Kansas City continued to mix in square stripes now and then. Just why isn't known.