I recently came across a high school friend (from the 70's) that still has one of the most desirable 69's I've ever seen. It is a SS/RS 396, with automatic, 4wheel disc, cowl hood, and AC. I didn't see the car recently, but he said it is still pretty much like it was 30 years ago. It was hot rodded some in the old days, but I think it still has the original block, transmission and rear end. I know he is not planning on selling it, but I thought it would be interesting to take a close look at it and check to see if all the options I remember it having were factory. I have read up on the JL8 enough to spot some of the differences between the factory and service package, but I haven't found any info on how to tell if the package came on a particular car. Any hints on what to look for?

The JL8 could have been ordered for almost any car, even a 6 cylinder.

But seeing as how there were only 200ish factory JL8 cars, it would be nice to know if there was any way to positively know if the JL8 came on THIS car. I dont know if he has any original paperwork, iirc, he bought it off a dealer used lot in about '75 or '76. It had the JL8 then, and all the other options at that time.

whether it is an assembly line rear or an over the counter unit is fairly easy to determine.

Without paper work you cannot be 100% sure the JL8 option came on that particular car. But as you have already said you are aware of how to spot differances between factory and service JL8. Look for the small details such as the front brake hose brackets and the rear splash shields. Usually transplants do not pay attention to the small details.

If it had a casting date before the car build date and the Q code with matching date codes as the rest of the car wouldn't it be the original rear. This option was only available from March through July 1969, so if the car was early production or late production its probably not original.

Yes, the build date must be at a particular time of the year. Does anyone know what code should be on the ralley wheels? I know they should be 15's, but are they the same code as Z28's?

Yes, the build date must be at a particular time of the year. Does anyone know what code should be on the ralley wheels? I know they should be 15's, but are they the same code as Z28's?

Yes they should be YH coded wheels.