Chevrolet Chevelle · 1968–1970

SS 396

The Chevelle Super Sport with the big-block 396, a series of its own in 1968 and an option package (Z25) in 1969 and 1970; in 1970 the engine was really a 402.

The story

In 1968 the SS 396 was a series with a 325-hp 396, a floor shifter, F70x14 tires and blacked-out trim; 350 and 375 hp cost extra.1one source

For 1969 it became option Z25 for the Malibu sport coupe and convertible and the 300 Deluxe coupes, at $347.60. For 1970 the engine grew to 402 cubic inches but the badges still said 396.234

How to spot an SS 396

Its own model number in 1968

In 1968 the SS 396 had series 138 (13837 sport coupe, 13867 convertible); from 1969 the VIN cannot tell an SS from a Malibu.35

Blacked-out trim

A black-accented grille, a special hood and «SS 396» badges.12

Production by year

How many SS 396s were built each model year.

1968
62,785
1969
86,307
1970
53,599
As a table, with notes
YearBuiltNote
196862,78567El Camino included (5,190); 57,595 cars without it (our sum). Wikipedia's figures add to 67,975 (our sum); see the ruling. Ruling
196986,30738Over-Drive's figure; Wikipedia says about 86,000. Over-Drive says Malibu models; whether El Caminos and 300 Deluxe SSs are included it does not say.
197053,5998one sourceEl Caminos included; Over-Drive only.

Engines

The code is Chevrolet's regular production option (RPO) code from GM's own lists; standard engines have none. Until 1971 the VIN tells only six from V8.

YearsCodeEngineRated
1968L35396 cu in V8 (standard)325 hp5one source
1968L34396 cu in V8350 hp5one source
1968L78396 cu in V8, solid lifters375 hp57
1969L35396 cu in V8 (standard)325 hp2one source
1969L34396 cu in V8350 hp2one source
1969L78396 cu in V8, solid lifters375 hp29
1969L89396 cu in V8, aluminum heads375 hp2one source
1970L34402 cu in V8 sold as the 396 (standard)350 hp10one source
1970L78402 cu in V8, solid lifters375 hp410

Where the sources disagree

Every conflict behind the figures on this page. All rulings.

Settled

1968 SS 396 production

Our ruling: 55,309 sport coupes. The Chevelle Report's three rows add to 62,785 (our sum), exactly Consumer Guide's total. Wikipedia's three figures add to 67,975 (our sum). Its 60,499 is exactly 55,309 plus the 5,190 El Caminos (our arithmetic), which suggests the pickups are counted in the sport coupes and again on their own; no source says so. Consumer Guide confirms the total, not the split.

What each source says (3)
  • 55,309 sport coupes, 2,286 convertibles and 5,190 El Caminos6one source
  • 62,785 SS 396s in all7one source
  • 60,499 sport coupes, 2,286 convertibles and 5,190 El Caminos11one source

Settled

1968 SS 396 sport coupe price

Our ruling: $2,899, Chevrolet's suggested retail price in its schedule revised 22 April 1968; Wikipedia gives the same, and so does Consumer Guide's own specification table. Consumer Guide's text says $2,875, which is on no GM page we have; we do not know where it comes from.

What each source says (3)

Settled

The 375-hp 402 (L78) in 1970

Our ruling: Listed. GM's own AMA specification sheet of 15 October 1969 gives the 375-hp 402 as Z25/L78 for the SS 396 cars, although GM's engine table and power-team page leave it out. Over-Drive lists it at $385.50 as an engine option and at $210.65 for the SS 396 package with it, and Wikipedia says few 375-hp cars were sold. No source we have counts the cars.

What each source says (3)
  • Its AMA specification sheet of 15 October 1969 lists a 375-hp Turbo-Jet 396 (402 cu in), Z25/L78, for the Malibu sport coupe, convertible and El Camino; its engine table of September 1969 and power-team page leave it out10one source
  • RPO L78 at $385.50, and the SS 396 package with the L78 at $210.654one source
  • A 375-hp cowl-induction version was available but few were sold3one source

Sources

  1. 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
  2. 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
  3. Chevrolet Chevelle Wikipedia · read 2026-10-11
  4. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
  5. 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
  6. 1968 Chevelle and El Camino Production Totals The Chevelle Report (reprinted in GM's 1968 Chevelle kit) · read 2026-10-11
  7. 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 HowStuffWorks (Consumer Guide Automotive) · read 2026-10-11
  8. Chevelle production, 1968–1972 (five tables) Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
  9. 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
  10. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-11
  11. Chevrolet Chevelle: the 1968 SS 396 production sentence Wikipedia · read 2026-10-11

Year by year

The SS 396 in each model year.

1968Chevrolet ChevelleThe second-generation Chevelle arrives: a new long-hood body on two wheelbases, 112 inches for two-doors and 116 for the rest, and the SS 396 as a series of its own.422,878 built1969Chevrolet ChevelleA facelift with a chrome bar across the grille, the SS 396 turned into an option package, and 323 Chevelles with a 427 by special order.454,100 built1970Chevrolet ChevelleNew sheet metal and the 454: the SS 454 with the 450-hp LS6, the 402 still badged SS 396, and almost 302,000 Malibu sport coupes, Canadian-built cars for U.S. dealers included.440,262 built