Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My 1971 Chevelle has the original LS3 engine as
documented by my warranty Protect-O-Plate card. Does that mean it's
an SS Chevelle?
A: Not necessary. In both 1971 and 1972 the LS3 engine was
available as an option in ANY V8 series Chevelle, regardless of body
style be it sport coupe, convertible, El Camino, station wagon, or
sedan. Only some kind of paperwork documentation showing the car's
VIN along with the Z25 SS Equipment option will prove it was ordered
as an SS optioned Chevelle.
Q: How many LS3 convertibles were built in 1970 (1971 or
1972)?
A: There is no known
breakdown of LS3 engined Chevelles by body style or how many were
sold with a 4-speed vs. the TH400 automatic, or came with optional
gear ratios, etc. and will probably never
be known
unless we can register all LS3 engined Chevelles ever sold, which isn't in the
realm of possibility for obvious reasons. See
How Many LS3s Based On Body Style
Were Sold? for more insight on LS3 numbers vs. body styles.
Q: Didn't all LS3 SS optioned Chevelles have gauges and a tachometer?
A: No. The Instrument Panel Gauges, or Special Instrumentation, sold
under RPO U14 was always an option regardless of year. The gauge
pods for fuel, speedometer, and optional clock were round as opposed
to the linear sweep speedometer of a non-SS optioned Chevelle but
the gauge package was still an option. {Note:
The same holds true for such options as bucket seats, console, and
cowl induction hoods. Bucket seats and consoles were standard Malibu
sport coupe/convertible/El Camino
options and not limited to the LS3; the cowl induction hood could be
ordered with either the LS3 or LS5 engine but not the two 350
engines with the Z15 SS Equipment option
package.}
Q: Is my LS3 real?
A: This can be tricky at best. Partially because there are differing
opinions on what is necessary to make an LS3 optioned Chevelle
'real'. To some, 'real' means the car has the correct and original
engine it was born with and can be matched to the build sheet. To
some, it means if the build sheet says it was born with the LS3
engine, it doesn't (relatively) matter that the engine has been
replaced for one reason or another; whether by a dealer under
warranty or an over-avid enthusiast back in the day due to out of
warranty breakage. Consider if the car has a warranty engine with CE
code or a 1974 454 truck motor dressed to appear as a 1970/1971/1972 LS3
engine, but has build sheet that is original to the car as noted by
the VIN sequence and other information of the sheet matching the
trim tag.
As far as the LS3 Registry is concerned, the paperwork is the primary objective in the registry and not whether the Chevelle retains the original engine or whether it's an SS optioned Chevelle or not.
