Chevelle SS, 1964-1972, A Muscle Car Source Book
Pros:
Beautiful color photos of Chevelles and structured layout of information presented.
Cons:
There are so many errors that I used two whole packages of page tabs just trying to keep up with them. Examples such as stating the 307 V8 was available on the 1971 SS option when Chevrolet's own documentation states the SS option was available with any optional engine. In fairness, there is earlier literature that indicates the 307 may have been available with the SS option but to date no documented car has been shown to exist.
Fisher Body plate decoding states the Style series number indicates a V8 or 6 cylinder engine; this is true on the VIN plate but not true on the Fisher Body plate.
A number of options are missing in this section for the various years such as missing vinyl top code for Beige in 1966, U14 Special Instrumentation in 1967, incorrect convertible top code for black and missing code for blue in 1967. Engine Identification section mentions CON VIN stampings and does state these, '...may not be found on pre '65 engines. Fails to mention they are normally present on the 1965 L79 and Z16 as well as the 1966 and 1967 L79 and SS396 engines and all engines beginning in 1968. Engine ID stamped codes fails to mention the letter "F" for Flint, MI. Engine CON VIN stampings show division/year/plant/sequence number but the division (1 for Chevrolet) didn't appear until 1968.
Under Chevelle Milestones it states that the open element air cleaner was new for 1966 and became standard SS equipment when it was only standard equipment on the L34 & L78 engine (396 350/360/375hp) but was not the standard air cleaner on the base L35 engine (396/325hp). The same open element air cleaner was also standard on the 1966 through 1968 327 L79 engine but this is not mentioned. In all fairness, the information is projected as being SS oriented so the omission of other possible models is understandable.
States the cruise control was first available in 1968 but was available in 1967.
Recommendation:
A fairly accurate reference book but be sure to double-check the figures and statements against other reference materials.