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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.

© Chevelle SS Guide© Chevelle SS Guide
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.

© Chevelle SS Guide

© Chevelle SS Guide
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.

© Chevelle SS Guide
The gray grille, bowtie grille emblem, bright rocker moldings and MALIBU fender emblem were gone with the SS option.

© Chevelle SS Guide
© Chevelle SS Guide
The 1971 SS continued the theme of a blacked out grille with a single "SS" badge. The rear SS emblem was now centered horizontally on the rear bumper.

COLORS FOR SPORT STRIPES (RPO D88) & COWL INDUCTION HOOD (RPO ZL2)
Exterior Color Sport Coupe w/o Vinyl Roof Cover Vinyl Roof Cover or Convertible Top
  Regular
Stripe
Optional
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 Metallic Black White Black White      
Two-Tone
Combinations (All)
White Only            

 

© Chevelle SS Guide
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.