1965
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1966
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1967
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1968
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1969
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1970
L78How Many L78s Based On Body Style Were Sold?
Chevrolet did not keep, or at least did not release, information on how many of any particular body style were sold with what specific options. So, there is no known figure on how many of the Chevelle 49,034 RPO L78 options were sold in a sport coupe, convertible, coupe, or sedan pickup body style - the same applies to the 11,201 Camaros and the 9,694 Novas. The same applies to how many wide ratio 4-speeds, close ratio 4-speeds, automatic transmissions, Positraction, vinyl tops, radios, etc., there are no records showing a breakdown by particular body style or in combination with other options. The exception for the L78 engine option is the Nova since only one body style, the 2-door sedan 11427, could order the L78.
| Model Year | Quantity Reported Sold By Chevrolet | Series Availability |
| 1965 | ||
| 1965 | 1,838 - Full-size Chevrolet | 154/156/164/16600 |
| 1965 | 2,157 - Corvette | 19437, 19467 |
| 1965 - Total | 3,995 | |
| 1966 | ||
| 1966 | 3,099 - Chevelle | 13817, 13867, 13480, 13680 |
| 1966 - Total | 3,099 | |
| 1967 | ||
| 1967 | 612 - Chevelle | 13817, 13867, 13480, 13680 |
| 1967 | 1,138 - Camaro | 12437, 12467, 12637, 12667 |
| 1967 - Total | 1,750 | |
| 1968 | ||
| 1968 | 4,751 - Chevelle | 13837, 13867, 13880 |
| 1968 | 4,575 (272 w/L89 aluminum head option) - Camaro | 12437, 12467 |
| 1968 | 667 - Nova | 11427 |
| 1968 - Total | 9,993 | |
| 1969 | ||
| 1969 | 9,486 (400 w/L89 aluminum head option) - Chevelle | 13427, 13437, 13637, 13667, 13680 |
| 1969 | 4,888 (311 w/L89 aluminum head option) - Camaro | 12437, 12467 |
| 1969 | 5,262 - Nova | 11427 |
| 1969 - Total | 19,636 | |
| 1970 | ||
| 1970 | 2,144 (18 w/L89 aluminum head option) - Chevelle | 13637, 13667, 13680 |
| 1970 | 600 - Camaro | 12437, 12467 |
| 1970 | 3,765 - Nova | 11427 |
| 1970 - Total | 6,509 | |
| L78 Total | 44,982 |
The 1965 model year saw the L78 engine option rated at 425hp. The horsepower rating was reduce to 375hp for the later years with a caveat; there are some reports the very early 1966 Chevelle SS396 with the L78 engine option show the rating at 425hp.
It should be noted here that different terms for different body styles are used throughout the industry but I'm sticking to GM's terminology. These body styles (for the purpose of the L78) are the sport coupe (a.k.a. hardtop), coupe (a.k.a. sedan and 2-door post) in 1969 only, convertible, and sedan pickup (a.k.a. El Camino).
How many of a individual option and what series and/or body styles they were available in is known for regular production options; combinations of any two or more options are not. Exterior paint colors sold were a choice the consumer made and not technically an option so even the overall number of red/blue/green/etc. Chevelles, Chevy II, or Camaros is not known. Toss in an unknown number with RPO ZP3 special order paint, and you now have an unknown to factor in. While something simple like the number of bucket seats (RPO A51) is known for a given year, the colors of those seats and the body styles they were installed in is not known and it's not known how many went into 136xx Malibus or 138xx SS396 series or how many went to sport coupes, coupes, convertibles, or sedan pickups.
Many of these 1-of-xx figures for Chevelles come from an appealing and colorful production poster by Chevelle enthusiast Dan Carr. This poster has production figures for 1968 to 1972 Chevelles and Dan breaks down the figures in a very unbiased way (mathematically) in an attempt to show how many of a body style might have been ordered with various SS and non-SS specific options; mainly which SS package, transmission types and cowl induction hoods for 1970 through 1972. With Dan's permission the following excerpt from his explanation on how certain figures were determined is presented here.
The same methodology applied to any option like the LS6 engine can be applied to the L78 engine as well.
