Trying to find out if i have a real 1971 chevy camaro ss??????

If it was an original SS 396 then it should have either a L34 or L78 RPO code. The Z27 code was for the 350 engine SS.

Thanks for the reply. There is no RPO code. Maybe because it was built in the van nuys plant?????

If the seventh item in the vin is a L it was built at the California plant. If it is an N it was built at the Ohio plant.

Thank you for your reply. Here is the problem i have with the camaro it has an automatic column shifter, ss emblems on steering wheel, 396engine, factory a/c but the body plate shows no RPO CODE at all. The vin # does say that it is a 8cyl. Is this a 1971 chevy SS??? Or perhaps this was special order from the van nuys plant???? Is there other codes on the vehicle that could determine this other than the vin or body plate????? THKS

Without paperwork like the build sheet to prove otherwise it sounds like a clone. Any emblems can be easily added to make a normal v8 model appear to be a SS.

I've never seen a column shift SS before and i'm pretty sure they never made one. Probably a base model 350 motor with a transplanted 396 and aftermarket emblems. Shouldn't your friend know?

There are column shift ss/rs/z28's out there. They are uncommon but do exist. It was the standard option so unless a console was added it remained.

chevy never had a396 w/402hp .It had a 402cu.engine. 71 396 had 300hp , check the engine code on the front of the engine on the passenger side there's a pad just below the head. you should see a 3 letter code,that will tell you what you have.

here's more info , the factory didn't add any options once the car was built. most V8 camaros had floor or console shifters . sounds like a put together. check the third digit in the VIN if it's a 3 or a 4,let me know. also on the data plate it should have z27 stamped on it.