Help decoding my vin# 72 chevelle

is it an ss?

1D37F2L597989

The rumor is that after 1969 you cannot tell by either the VIN nor the boilerplate. The factory did not keep detailed records. They really didn't care about cars that were being made by the millions and had little regard to whether they would ever achieve "classic" status. That's why a pristine "Boss" Mustang from the early '70s might sell for $80 at autcion while an equally pristine "454 SS" might go for just over half that - You can't tell which are the originals and which are well done clones.

Your best bet would be to try to locate a build sheet in the vehicle. Look in the front seat springs - I found the sheet for this '72 in there just a couple montha ago:

http://72.19.213.157/files/72Chevelle.jpg

Some reported tell-tale signs of a "real" SS - All SS cars had 12-bolts, and disc brakes. SS emblems were above the glovebox door, on the steering wheel, door panels, fenders, rear panel between the tail lights, and on the grill. Real SS should have stainless trim bezels around the edges of the parking lamps in the front bumper. Vin should be stamped on block that matches vin on car. Could have idiot lights or gauges, bench seat or buckets and console. 325/350 hp cars will have a 3/8 fuel line w/ ¼" return line. 375 cars will have a 3/8 line w/ no return (but so dis 250hp/350). The steering box/shaft rag joint will attach to the intermediate shaft with a splined, clamped connection (small block cars had a flange staked directly onto the intermediate shaft).

Good info, Bowtie.

Enough information there to do a quick rule-out.
And he can read up on it by looking at some detailed books on that very subject if there is still a question.
Tom