1971 SS-Optioned Malibu
SS Trim
The 1971 Z15 option continued the theme of a blacked out grille with minimal brightwork and the center of the grille was adorned with a white-lettered SS emblem. Since there was no real body rear panel, the Malibu sport coupe and convertible rear bumper saw the addition of SS letters in white centered on the bumper. The Z15-optioned sedan pickup also featured a blacked-out section on the tailgate between the two horizontal bright trim pieces with a centered SS emblem while the LS5-optioned sedan pickup has a centered SS 454 emblem.
While not SS-specific, due to safety concerns the tail lamps were changed in the early part
of the model year. The early model year inner tail lamp (with backup
lamp) has a smaller white lens area and does not extend to the inner
trim ring where the later tail lamp is much larger and extends to
the inner trim ring. The size of the “bulge” area of the outer tail
lamp also increased in the later version. Also note the early lamps,
both inner and outer, have a silver trim around the outside face of
both lamps where the later version did away with this.
SS Hoods
The Z15 hood is domed with hood pins with a functional Cowl Induction hood offered on Z15-optioned Malibus with either the LS3 or LS5 engine only under RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System. GM’s OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES WHEN INSTALLED BY CHEVROLET chart dated March of 1971 states, “Hood, Cowl Induction: Available only when SS Equipment and 365-hp or 425-hp engine are ordered.” Two problems here; the 425-hp 454 was not released to the public for sale and no mention of the 300-hp 402 cubic inch LS3 engine which could also order the ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System. As for the two 350 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V8s, those could not be ordered the ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System.
The RPO ZL2 Special Ducted Hood Air System included a "COWL INDUCTION"
emblem on either side of the dome and a 'flapper' that opened under
acceleration to allow cool air into the intake. This option did nothing
to increase the rated horsepower of the particular engine and was more
of a 'cool' factor. Since the system operated on engine vacuum (or lack
of) the flapper was open when the engine was not running. The ZL2 option
also included hood pins and hood and deck stripes on the sport coupe
and convertible but only hood stripes on the sedan pickup.
Standard Malibu vs. SS Trim
Some Malibu trim was removed with both SS options.
The gray grille, bowtie grille emblem, bright rocker moldings and MALIBU fender emblem were gone with the
SS option.
The SS El Camino has the area between the tailgate/quarter panel
trim blacked-out with centered "SS" emblem. An SS 454 El Camino
has the same treatment except an "SS 454" emblem is used.