Options that put the sizzle in your Chevy by Chuck Hanson.
Factory Options are like a good steak; the rarer they are, the better we like them. Rare options have always held a special intrique for Chevy enthusiasts.. In fact some of the most frquently asked questions have to do with the optional equipment on their cars and/or how rare or desirable they may be.
When it comes down to it, optional equipment can generally be classified into two groups: luzury and performance. And while the two groupings aren't necessatily mutually exclusive of one another, an air conditioning compressor hung on a high-revving, high-performance engine does seem a bit of an incongruity. Apparently the factory felt the same way too, and with a few notable exceptions, generally denied such pairings on the order form. On the other hand, power accessories such as windows and dorr locks could be had quite readily, even with a max-boogie motor and 4-series gears out back.
Regardless of whether your Chevy came equipped for opulence or acceleration, the number of options and their combinations can have a profound effect on its value. That's not to imply that rarity is the only measuring stick of a vehicle's value. Desirability is just as important. After all, you may be the owner of the only '71 Monte Carlo in existence with Maroon paint, a green vinyl roof, and yellow houndstooth interior. But if nobody else cares about it or wants to own it, what's it worth?
Here's a look at some of the options that have availed themselves to Bow-Tie lovers down through the years.
RPO DESCRIPTION QUANTITY 1965
A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 717 A46 Driver bucket electric control, 4-way 23 K66 Transitor Ignition 209 L79 327 cid, 350hp 6021 M01 HD clutch 662 M55 Trans cooler 113 N33 Tilt wheel 7215 N34 Wood grain plastic steering wheel 2166 U16 Tachometer equipment 7724 U69 AM/FM PB radio 2794 Z04 HD chassis equipment 23 Z16 Special SS396 equipment 2011966
A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 938 A46 Driver bucket electric control, 4-way 587 A81 Headrest, bucket seat 2380 A82 Headrest, bench seat 689 A85 Shoulder harness equipment 119 C06 Power folding top 10028 C50 Rear defroster 5089 J56 Metallic brakes 7837 K66 Transitor Ignition 2013 L35 396 cid, 325hp (El Camino) 1865 L78 395 cid, 375hp 3099 M01 HD clutch 495 M13 HD 3-soeed trans 201 M22 HD 4-speed trans 12 M55 Trans cooler 28 N33 Tilt wheel 6115 N34 Wood grain plastic steering wheel 7537 U14 IP gauges 32436 U16 Tachometer equipment 8025 U69 AM/FM PB radio 5689 U75 Power rear antenna 9621967
A31 Electric windows 2886 A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 889 A81 Headrest, bucket seat 1609 A82 Headrest, bench seat 924 C06 Power folding top 7642 C50 Rear defroster 7417 J52 Disc brakes, front 5153 J65 Metallic brakes 1711 L35 396 cid, 325hp (El Camino) 2565 L78 396 cid, 375hp 612 L79 327 cid, 325hp 4048 N33 Tilt wheel 6585 N34 Wood grained plastic steering wheel 5462 U14 IP gauges 23862 U15 Speed warning 5945 U16 Tachometer equipment 3653 U46 Lamp monitoring 113 U57 Tape player 51941968
A39 Custom deluxe seatbelt 1302 A85 Shoulder harness, deluxe 122 C24 Special windshield wiper 688 J52 Power disc brakes 12835 K05 Engine block heater 15 K30 Cruise control 743 L34 396 cid, 358hp 12481 L78 396 cid, 375hp 4751 L79 327 cid, 325hp 4082 M22 HD 4-speed trans 1049 N33 Tilt wheel 7450 N34 Wood grained plastic steering wheel 4698 U15 Speed warning 4546 U46 Lamp monitoring 2757 U57 Tape player 5983 U79 Stereo equipment 17091969
AR1 Headrest delete 774 A31 Electric windows 4583 A93 Vacuum operated door locks 1206 C24 Special windshield wiper 706 D96 Wide paint stripe, side 37280 F41 Special suspension 722 L34 396 cid, 350hp 17358 L78 396 cid, 375hp 9486 L89 396 cid, 375hp, aluminum heads 400 M22 HD 4-speed trans 1276 NC8 Chambered exhaust 4143 U15 Speed warning 4372 U46 Lamp monitoring 2041 V75 Traction compound & dispenser 278 Z25 SS equipment 863071970
AQ2 Electric seatback release 663 AS4 Rear seat shoulder harness, deluxe 273 A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 637 A46 Drivers bucket electric control, 4-way 546 A90 Electric trunk release 987 CD3 Electro-tip windshield wiper control 331 K30 Cruise control 730 LS6 454 cid, 450hp 4475 L78 396 cid, 375hp 2144 L89 Aluminum heads 18 M22 HD 4-speed trans 5410 NK1 Cushion grip steering wheel 3078 UM2 AM/FM stereo with tape 4532 Z15 SS454 equipment 8773 Z25 SS equipment 535991971
AQ2 Electric seatback release 195 AU3 Electric door locks 6430 A31 Electric windows 10774 A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 1744 A46 Drivers bucket electric control, 4-way 1186 A85 Shoulder harness, deluxe 72 A90 Electric trunk release 3060 LS5 454 cid, 365hp 9502 M20 4-speed, wide ratio 9786 M22 HD 4-speed close ratio 3035 UM2 AM/FM PB stereo with tape 3923 YF3 Heavy Chevy package 6727 ZL2 Cowl induction 4079 Z15 SS454 equipment 19293 Z20 Monte Carlo SS454 equipment 11972
AU3 Electric door locks 10683 A31 Electric windows 17449 A41 Front seat electric control, 4-way 3317 A46 Drivers bucket electric control, 4-way 1831 K30 Cruise control 11510 LS5 454 cid, 365hp 5333 MC1 HD 3-speed trans 272 M20 4-speed trans, wide ratio 10201 M22 HD 4-speed trans, close ratio 1523 UM2 AM/FM PB stereo with tape 7403 YF3 Heavy Chevy package 9508 ZL2 Cowl induction 3659 Z15 SS equipment 24946