Looking for someone on here that can help me decode a 69. I want to make sure what i'm buying is a true rs/ss and also get some sort of value. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Camaro Research Group

you will need your cowl & VIN tag 411

for a real SS you would have a 12 bolt posi rear end and multi leaf springs and front disc brakes. There is a date code on the PS, front of the axle housing

all these parts can be put on a base model Camaro so "date code" 411 you get from your car is the way to confirm it was born that way

 

Late production 69's had an X11 code used for the SS (either engine), but that code was also used for a base model. The other late model SS specific codes used were X55 for 350SS and X66 for SS396. If you have an earlier production model with no X code, then the ONLY way to verify a true SS is if the car has the original matching numbers 350 or 396. All the other SS telltale signs can be faked.
The RS package only came with the X11 model, not the X55 or X66. So, to verify you have a true SS/RS, the trim tag would have to have an X11 code, AND you would need to have a matching numbers 350 or 396 engine.

 

FYI there is no way to be 100% sure. Even the matching numbers can be faked and you can buy all the paper work to prove its original online with the proper aging. The paper work will even come pre-wrinkled and with coffee stains.

 

If you don't have the later cowl tag with the X codes the one thing you can look for that may determine if it's a true SS is the rear brake proportioning valve underneath the car on the drivers side towards the end of the sub-frame where it is attached to. . Not very many know that this option existed and was required for all 69' SS's and Z/28s - a good indicator.