How Many LS3 Options, 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. The LS3 engine option was available in any Chevelle body style and in 1971 & 1972 the LS3 engine could be ordered in an SS-optioned Malibu sport coupe, convertible, and pickup as well as non-SS-optioned Malibu sport coupes, convertibles, and pickups.
For the 1972 model year, the car's vehicle identification number (VIN) now contained a letter indicating the particular engine size. For the LS3 402 engine, this letter is "U" making it very easy to determine if the Chevelle was originally equipped with the LS3. This is not the case for the 1970 and 1971 model years so some sort of documentation showing both the LS3 option and the car's VIN is needed to verify that car came with the LS3 engine.
Many published production numbers come from an old publication of Tailfins & Bowties, by Len Williamson, that is generally accepted as being the most accurate for this type of data since he had access to Chevrolet's archives of information.
LS3 Options Sold
»» 1970 ~ 9,338 LS3 engine options sold.
The LS3 engine could be ordered
in any 132xx, 134xx, 136xx, or 13857 series and body style. It should
also be noted that the Monte Carlo (13857) was considered a Chevelle
by series designation (13) and figures for 1970 Chevelles include the
Monte Carlo where applicable.
The First Generation Monte Carlo website asserts that 7,496 of the LS3 engine options were ordered in the Monte Carlo and, while I know of no specific evidence of this, there is no reason to dispute their numbers. The LS3 was a new engine for 1970 and the Monte Carlo was introduced in 1970. It's certainly logical the new engine would be primarily intended for the new "Personal Luxury" car from Chevrolet. If that is in fact the case, then the remaining Chevelle series only got 1,842 of these engines making them a relatively scarce engine. Calculating their use in any one series and body style would certainly produce larger numbers in series and body styles with fewer sales and smaller numbers in the series and body styles with larger sales than one would reasonably expect.
According to GM of Canada documentation, approximately 20 1970 Chevelles built in Canada were ordered with the LS3 engine. Figures are not currently available for the 1971 or 1972 model years. Anyone with GM of Canada documentation for 1971 or 1972 that quotes a number for LS3 sales please contact me and I'll update this information.
»» 1971 ~ 17,656 LS3 engine options sold.
As in 1970 the LS3 could be ordered in any Chevelle series and body
style. With the demise of the L34/350hp engine the LS3/330hp saw a
greater sales total than it did in 1970. The LS3 also saw duty in
Z15 SS Equipment optioned Malibus as well as non-Z15 optioned
Malibus. As in 1970, the LS3 was available in any 132xx, 134xx,
136xx, and 13857 series and body style. Calculating how many went
into any particular series and body style would produce results of
higher numbers in the series and body styles with fewer sales and
small numbers in the series and body styles with greater sales than
one would reasonably expect.
The First Generation Monte Carlo website asserts that 8,633 of the LS3 engine options were ordered in the Monte Carlo and, while I know of no specific evidence of this, there is no reason to dispute their numbers. If that is in fact the case, then the remaining Chevelle series got 9,023 of these engines.
»» 1972 ~ 20,031 LS3 engine options sold.
As in 1971 the LS3 could be ordered in any Chevelle series and body
style. The LS3 also saw duty in Z15 SS Equipment optioned Malibus as
well as non-Z15 optioned Malibus. As in 1970, the LS3 was available
in any 132xx, 134xx, 136xx, and 13857 series and body style.
Calculating how many went into any particular series and body style
would produce results of higher numbers in the series and body
styles with fewer sales and small numbers in the series and body
styles with greater sales than one would reasonably expect.
The First Generation Monte Carlo website asserts that 9,960 of the LS3 engine options were ordered in the Monte Carlo and, while I know of no specific evidence of this, there is no reason to dispute their numbers. If that is in fact the case, then the remaining Chevelle series got 10,071 of these engines.
