COPO Chevelle trim tag data

[Chevy454]

The post about Dave's new Chevelle got me to wondering, and we've been over this info in the past, but the info has been scattered about between a few posts. So, I am taking the liberty of putting all of this previously posted info on one post. So, anyone see a pattern?

Jim Mattison:

Could you possibly explain what the Bxxxx (which corresponds to box 24 "DP SEQ NO" on the build sheet) and Mxxxxxx (which corresponds to box 60 "SPEC ORD" on the build sheet), along with the extra digits at the top/bottom, might possibly mean?

Oh, here's the list:

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/21841-TrimTagInfo.JPG

[Note: if you car is listed above, and you would like it removed, let me know, and I will take it off. Like I mentioned above, though, it's info that the owners previously posted, and I am just combining it.]

[copo9566aa]

Great post Thanks.

[Chevy454]

Merci! I updated the list, and I guessed on the chronilogical order of the cars. I don't have info on Pete's car(s), but they seem to fall right in the middle of the other 3. Those extra numbers have to mean something!

[Kurt S]

Asked John Z. He said:
'I have no idea, but in those days, "DP" referred to Data Processing - all the "computer stuff" was called "DP" - long before the days of "information systems", etc. Could have something to do with the data entry process that generated the order info or the Broadcast Copy.'

[Chevy454]

Makes sense, Kurt. I'm kind of surprised by the response I've got. While no one has posted any more info, I have gotten some emails about adding or updating some of the tags above!

So, anyone else have some tags that could help with the puzzle? Joe?

[copo9566aa]

I waits of another Tag info,
This is a <font color="red">top Secret </font color> info,or what ??.

[Chevy454]

I added the shipping date of Larry's car above, and updated the page above as well.

Almost 400 views, yet no one is adding any info? /ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif I bet more than one of those 400 has printed the above info for their files...but with that said, thanks to those that have emailed me info for the list!

[copo9566aa]

Rob

(1)For many people Secret info= $$$$
(2)For other people Secret info=Car destroyed before found.
(3)For other people Secret info=Open the door for more fake car.

Rob, I also own the "A69COPO" car. The restoration will be complete by this Christmas. Is there any other info you need from me?

[copo9566aa]

Your is the 408202
the bottom/number is a 8 or a 9. /ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif
on the tag pics the number look a 8 not a 9.

[Chevy454]

Dave:

I think the only info I am missing is the VIN#, which would be greatly appreciated! So, when do I get pictures and a write-up?!/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

Sorry to sound so negative in the post above, I just thought the info discussed in prior threads warranted it's own thread, and I honestly expected a bigger reaction. No big deal. Thanks again to you guys who have helped me fill in the blanks on the info above!

VIN.# IS 404108, I WILL CHECK THE 8 OR 9 ISSUE WHEN I GET HOME.

Its a 8

[Belair62]

Rob I will get you my COPO trim tag info as soon as I can

Bob

[COPO PETE]

I'm a slow learner but just to clear this up, YENKO has 2 Chevelles? One Canadian and one a US car???
Peter

Yes Pete, I have 2. I acquired the fathom green car a month or 2 ago.

[copo9566aa]

Free info.
I have one 69 BAL in my registry with the MXXXXXX code
I take this Tag number in a private scapyard in Quªbec/May 1995.
This is probably not a COPO.
Right top corner 9
VIN 136379B32048* ST 69 13637 BAL 15377* BDY
TR 755 55 B PNT
11A B <font color="red">M058382
</font color> no digit bottom/left.
*this is not my car.
Other people have a 69 Baltimore Chevelle Tag.
Malibu or SS or other. Please Share.

[Chevy454]

I updated the page with Dave's info, and hopefully made it all a little easier to read. Thanks for the info, guys!

[Ed Cunneen]

Rob,Here Goes:
8
ST 69 13637 BAL280440 BDY
TR 755 10 B PNT
07B1947 B M205175
8

VIN 402880 Tuxedo Black COPO 9566BA Black Vinyl Roof
Auto on Column Black Bench Seat Interior
A01 Tinted Glass; B37 Floor Mats; C08 Vinyl Roof
M40 Turbo 400;NC8 Cambered; U63 AM U80 Back Seat Speaker
28 088 Columbiana Chevrolet Columbiana Ohio.
Let me know if you need anything further.

[copo9566aa]

Test for the first digit after the M code. /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif
Digit 11 nov Bal15 =M0
Digit 6 June Bal22 =M1
Digit 7 July Bal28 =M2

[Chevy454]

I am working on updating the list as we speak. Thanks for the info, fellas! Ed, is there an extra number in your "Mxxxxx" on your tag?

So, which determines which car was built first: earlier body # or earlier vin #?

[Stefano]

I would say the body number would be the closest to the completion date on any of the cars, in most cases but not all and that the date of an MSO would be the official completion date.

There are numerous reasons why a car would not be completed for release to a particular dealer, in sequence with the vin and body tag.

Just my $00.02.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I know we have been down this 'chicken and the egg' discussion before, but did we ever conclude which came first? I thought the body number indicated the order of the car's production, but I think KurtS had a different flow of events - I forget. Kurt?

[Stefano]

The assigned body number and ultimate cowl tag date ,as well as vin do not always flow in sequential order.

[Ed Cunneen]

I will check the extra digit out tonight. You can tell my eyesight isn't what it once was!.

In reply to your other question, my understanding is that the body number was used by Fisher Body and Chevrolet to keep track of the order from the beginning to the end. The last 6 digits of the VIN being scheduled for a car was totally dependant on the schedule for assembly at the Chevrolet plant.
Body numbers and VIN's are not necessarily sequential in order. A body could have been sent back for paint touch up and been issued a VIN hundreds off from one that it was in line with that morning.

[Chevy454]

I updated the list on page 1, but I took a guess on Ed's vin#, so it may not be right! I also added my shipping date, which I forgot I had.

Now, for the numbers question. Was a vin assigned before the sheetmetal was assembled? Otherwise, how did it get stamped in those "hard to reach" places?

[Mr70]

From researching 1970 Chevelles built at the Leeds plant,I would think the VIN# would be assigned once the paper order was taken,and all the specified options as well. It does make sense,but I am not an expert.
How else woud they know to stamp the VIN# on the Block,Body,Trans.,Rear D/S frame rail if at all.

[COPO]

This discussion was covered on the Camaro site in the past and it was stated by someone (John Z) who actually worked in various plants that the VIN was assigned on the Chevrolet side of the plant, not on the Fisher Body side. Therefore the VIN came after the Body #.

[Stefano]

A body number which was a work order number for Fischer Body was more than likely assigned on paper, prior to the body trim tag having been stamped and dated. Just because a body work order was initiated prior to a later number doesn't necessarily mean that it was completed prior to the other in all cases.

COPO is that were you have been hanging out?

[Chevy454]

Interesting observations...

<pre><font class="small">code:</font><hr>
Build Delivery
VIN# Body# date date
------------------------------------------------------
32048x 15377x 11A M058382
------------------------------------------------------
385973 225797 06A 6-10-1969 B1284 M182066
------------------------------------------------------
402880 280440 07B B1240 M205175
------------------------------------------------------
404108 283042 07C B1795 M206750
------------------------------------------------------
407670 289486 07D 7-24-1969 B1082 M211415
408202 289489 07D 7-24-1969 B1076 M213132
408235 289492 07D 8-04-1969 B1240 M213171
------------------------------------------------------
412667 283926 7E 7-30-1969 B1617 M218908
412687 283927 7E 7-31-1969 M218933
</pre><hr>

What I did was group them together by build dates. Anyone see any patterns?

[copo9566aa]

Very interesting.
and the 408235 have the last Body# 289492 of this list, and the last shiping date August 4 1969 /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[Chevy454]

So, is the build date (example: 7E) a "projected" build date?

[copo9566aa]

7E=Thursday 31 july 1969.And this is the same shipping date of the 412687 (Built and shipped same day) /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[Kurt S]

In 69, body #'s were the order #'s. VIN's are (mostly) in sequence, orders can be delayed waiting for components / scheduling.
VIN's didn't come down the line sequentially, they were mixed up a little by the queue going into the assembly side of the plant.

[COPO]

"7E" would be the fifth week of July for the body build date. So the body could have likely been built July 28-31 (assumming they didn't work on Sunday July 27). The shipping date would help to narrow down the exact build date.

[Ed Cunneen]

Rob,
My build date is 07B not 07D. /ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif

[sYc]

According to a retired foreman from Fisher Body, the VIN was assigned by Chevrolet when the order was received. The Fisher Body tag/# was introduced when FB actually began building the car. The tag was attached once the sheetmetal had been welded together and primered, but before going to the FB paint shop, FB trim shop and then on to Chevrolet for final assembly. Thus, VINs would not go down the line in order, as Chevrolet might need to hold a certain car(s) due to the lack of a certain part. On the other hand, FB numbers would go down the line in order. So, the Fisher Body number would determine the order in which the cars were actually built. Tom

[Chevy454]

Try this on for size...

In my mind, I've always been thinking that part of the numbers on the trim tags above were a more specific build date, like the actual day of the plant's yearly build cycle. Well, I noticed something interesting last night on the list posted above, which fell into place once Ed corrected my error on his car's build date. There is an 07B car and an 07C car, with the first 3 digits of there Mxxx number just 1 digit off. Different weeks, but just one number, or ONE DAY off. Remember, A69COPO mentioned that the last 3 digits of the Mxxxx code were listed in box 24 of the build sheet, so the other 3 digits have to be there for something. Luckily, Jeff had just posted a link to a 1969 calendar (http://www.earth.com/calendar?1969), so I sat down with it this morning, and put a pencil to it.

Starting with the 07B car, since it is theoretically 1 day off from the 07C car, but different build weeks, then they must be Friday/Monday cars, respectively. So, I placed the 07B car on Friday, July 11, 1969, and place the 07C car on Monday, July 14, 1969. I then used these cars as "place holders" to figure the build dates for the other cars. Another interesting find was my car, the 06A car. It had an 06A build date, but wasn't shipped until the next Tuesday, June 10, 1969. So, I assume it was built on a Friday, too late to get shipped. Using the place holder cars above, it works out, if it was built on Friday, June 6, 1969, and that the factory took July 3 and July 4 off for the holiday.

I then took a look at the 07D and the 07E cars. Again, using the place holder cars, I get a build date of Monday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 23 for the 07D cars, and Wednesday, July 30 for the 07E cars.

Now, I tried figuring the exact build date for the 11A car, but this one is a little more difficult, due to the amount of holidays. But, if my math was right, then the very first day the Baltimore plant started up should be around the 3rd week of August or so.

So, is this close? /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[COPO]

Tom,

Your post conflicts some with the information provided by John Z on the Camaro site. I believe he stated that the VIN was not assigned until the body went to the Chevrolet side of the plant. This also seems consistent with many of the COPO Camaros that typically have a lower body # than a non-copo car with the same VIN sequence. I think the body # was the order # until the VIN was assigned as was posted earlier by Ed C. The cars would be generally built in sequence to VIN and not the body #.

[copo9566aa]

For 11A 1968 Calendar (http://www.earth.com/calendar?1968) /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[moparts]

Question??? Does the build sheet of most cars have the vin # on it or the body #???? /ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif

[Chevy454]

You'll love this answer Mo: BOTH! /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif Although, the body number was in larger print I believe, for whatever reason (different machine thus different font, more importance, etc., any other ideas?).

[Mark_C]

Body numbers were assigned when the Order was accepted for build, VINs were assigned (at least for Camaros) when the body was actually scheduled for building That may be the day before, or the week before actual construction. TRIM tags and VIN tags were prepared at the same time, TRIM Tags by Fischer, VIN's by Chevrolet to coincide with production of the cars. VIN's and Body numbers are both listed on Chassis broadcast sheets.

[sYc]

COPO; The VIN would have to be assigned before the car began production, because the VIN is stamped on various areas of a car's sheetmetal, cowl for Camaro, Firewall for Nova. There is no doubt that this had to, and did occur in the Fisher Body "body shop", the 1st phase of building a car. If Chevrolet did it, A. it would be next to impossible to reach the area, and B. they would be working on freshly painted sheetmetal. Tom

[Chevy454]

It looks like I may have gotten ahead of myself. I have some 03x dated cars, and I can't seem to make them fit into my "formula", which is odd, becuase the later cars fit darn near perfect...so where did I go wrong?

[copo9566aa]

3 289XXX boby = 3 special paint. /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif
Just a remark.

[Ed Cunneen]

Tom,
I believe the VIN stampings were done at the Chevrolet plant, not at the Fisher Body Plant. For instance, the Camaro front fenders were painted off of the car and would join up after the VIN was stamped in the two locations. I have a picture of a '71 Firebird at the Norwood plant without subframe or front end coming down the assembly line.

[Nova Research Project]

Tom,

This may help clarify things. I just recently re read the Nova Times series from several months in late 1993 on the Fisher body side of the Willow Run Plant. Several Willow Run key employees were interviewed. It ran through the build sequence in generic detail covering the many years Novas were built. It a generic sense it might help this thread since GM probably did similar things since the build sheets, trim tags, VIN plates are similar between Chevy's. In a few words here are the highlights. (This summary does not do the series justice! Forgive me if I am a little too basic here and by all means pick it a part! /ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif )

Body flow was controlled by the SEQUENCE (my emphasis) number based on the Production Schedule generated by the Data Processing (computer) department and published days in advance of the day the body was started. This controlled the "Body Shop Order of Run" which determined how many of each body type was put on the line and in what SEQUENCE. Body styles and options were distributed so as to not have 20 AC cars in row. It took longer to install AC than just a heater. The amount of time to install all of the options was determined by the speed of the line. Options were spread through out the production schedule to keep the line moving. Color was also a concern. The Body Shop Order of Run list creates a SEQUENCE number. As the body starts down the line the operator took a floor pan and marked a 4 digit SEQUENCE number in crayon from his copy of the "Body Shop Order of Run" onto it . Later as the body moved down the line a Fisher Body build sheet matching the crayon number was taped to the body. The sheet listed body style and options needing different body parts.

Until now the crayon number identified the body. If the Fisher Build sheet was lost, the crayon number ruled. As the completed body reached the Scheduling Clerk's Station the clerk checked the crayon number against the build manifest. The clerk matched the number to the last 4 digits on a trim tag which was already stamped with the BODY number. The clerk would then place the trim tag into the stamping machine. He added trim, paint and date codes. So the date code reflected the week the body was welded together. Since the body was not painted, the date code might be an earlier week than assembly week indicated on the VIN label.

The Scheduling Clerk was also responsible for the VIN. He took the VIN shown on the manifest and passed it to a portable stamping machine operator who dialed it into his machine. This was how the hidden VIN was stamped on the body. The VIN was probably assigned by computer, but this was not discussed in the article. So this is the missing piece of the puzzle.

The interior and exterior paint code was marked on firewall prior to painting. Willow Run BATCH painted cars. So regardless of the body number all red cars were pulled aside waiting their turn at the paint booth. At this point the body SEQUENCE number of the trim tag no longer mattered. As bodies moved through the rest of Fisher Body there we assigned a NEW SEQUENCE number at various stages. That is why the SEQ number on the Fisher Body sheet does not match BODY number or VIN. A body might have many SEQ numbers during the build process. A new SEQ was assigned by GM after the body passed thought the wall.

The function of the BODY number was only the original SEQUENCE number for the body. Since COPO cars were all built the same, Data Processing (the computer) probably distributed them though the Production Schedule. Having ALL of the COPO cars in a row probably did not happen. If a part was not available and the computer knew it, the body would not be scheduled to be built. If a shortage was found on the line the body would be pulled off. Pulling a body of the line was very bad.

Cars moved through the plant like ants at a picnic. SEQUENCE number was used to control the flow not VIN or Body Number. This explains why neither VIN nor Body Numbers are in date sequence.

Greg (sorry for the length. The fewer words I used the longer the message. /ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[COPO]

Great info!

[Jeff H]

My broadcast sheet has a sequence # on it and I found that sequence # written on the firewall behind the driver's side fender. But it's a 3 digit sequence # on the Camaro. My car is an LA car though so they might have done things a little differently.

[Ed Cunneen]

Greg,
Thanks for sharing that information!!
Ed

[JoeC]

The 69 Chevelle build sheets have the sequence number (body no.) printed on the build sheet in same type as part codes. The first half of vin is printed in same type but second half of vin is in different type. This tells me the body number and serious no. (V8 or L6) were known at the time the computer printed the build sheet. I would guess vin serial number (sec. half) was added later by a different printer possibly located on the line. Some build sheets have a second hand written sequence number which is the same as the last three digits of the number stamped on trim tag in lower right field. This may be some type of secondary tracking number needed during the assembly process then added by hand on the build sheet. I was collecting 69 Chevelle Baltimore info to build a data base but have not been able to get a sufficient amount.

[sYc]

Greg; Great post. To expand, I had a low mileage Camaro, Norwood built, that had a 3 digit number on the firewall in crayon. I asked the Fisher Body formean about this. He explained it this way. The number was used to track the cars while in Fisher Body. He said it could start over at evevy shift, every day, what ever system that plant used. One of the purposes was to identify when a certain body was built, if there was a problem. He said that this number had no relation to the VIN or Body number, simply a way for FB to track the cars. Also, he explained the other crayon marks. The body tag was attched after the car was welded together and primered. Once tagged, rather then make the two remaining departments (paint and trim) read the tag, a person was assigned to read the tag and write in crayon on the firewall and bulkhead what was needed to be done. Thus, the X-code on the rear bulkhead for the trim dept. (such as X-44), and a paint code plus other fisher body adds on the trans hump/firewall area, such as DY for Daytona Yellow and D-80 for a rear spoiler. Many times this code is visible under the firewall paint because the firewall was painted from the bottom up, which would mean that the top (where the crayon markings are) would receive the least amount of paint. My Yenko Camaro still had 44 (which it is a X-44 car) on the rear bulkhead. And interesting, it also had 427 in crayon on each front fender extension. A lot of trucks and full size cars will have have numerous crayon markings very visible on the firewall. Tom

[copo9566aa]

Rob
I'am curious about Batch of body 283XXX in 07C and 07E with standard paint and,the batch body 289XXX in 07D whith special paint. /ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[Nova Research Project]

Jeff and Tom,

The series did mentioned 3 digits also. I believe that the intent was 1000 car separation. In reality a hundred car separation was adequate. Remember the article covered almost 20 years at just Willow Run, so 4 digits might also have been early sixties. Greg

[Nova Research Project]

VIN numbers were established before the body received the trim tag. But since there is nothing unique to the VIN and the cars options, I wonder if the Scheduling Clerk just assigned the next one on the list. Since there were multiple body fabrication lines, the chances of the bodys coming to the scheduling clerk in order were slim. VIN was not on the Fisher Body sheet. It was included on the GM Chassis and Body Broadcast copy after the body passed through the wall. So the VIN was know when these were printed.

The different type font might have been an attempt to make the last digits more legible. I worked with form feed printers a lot years ago. It is almost impossible to line up individual sheets in a printer after they have been removed. The guys on the line would not have bothered to put single sheets into a printer. They would have just written the number on the sheet. Were the last numbers on any of you examples out of line with the first numbers? Greg

[SS427]

In addition to Tom's comment, many Chevelle plants put the color code in yellow crayon just behind the brake booster and the schedule number in the recessed area behind the distributor. These have always been on the bare metal before the firewall was painted. I sometimes find remnants of masking tape on the top side of the firewall in the center where a build sheet was taped during assembly and ripped off.

On a recent Deuce restoration, I found what appeared to be an "A48 or 448" in the recessed area of the firewall. As I had no build sheet, I could not dicifer what this number meant. Marlin, I believe I sent you photos of this.

[Chevy454]

So, exactly when was the body number and the vin number assigned? Which was known first?

Also, someone tell me exactly WHERE on my Chevelle's frame the VIN is stamped!? /ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif I've had 3 and couldn't find it!

[SS427]

Rob,
I have had many Chevelles off the frame and have NEVER seen a VIN stamped on it no matter which plant. I have talked with some who have however. When there, it would usually be located on the top side of the frame, on the drivers side between the rear axel hump and the rear of the frame and just above where the frames part number and manufacturer stamp is.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Rick;
That white crayon marking is two separate codes. The 'A' refers to the last line on the trim tag, which decodes as the interior items other than the seats are black. The '48' also refers to the trim tag, paint code. 48 48 is forest green, top / bottom of course.

[JoeC]

The larger font of the vin serial number appears to have been done in a second printer because some are not inline with the other numbers. Some are lined up fairly close others not close and are out of the box where they were intended to appear.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

JoeC;
Is it possible the larger portion of the VIN # was rubber stamped by one of those multi-numbered ink stampers?

[Jeff H]

That's a good thought. The VIN was larger and it almost looks like it could be from a stamp instead of a printer. Was the VIN on the original window stickers a stamp also? It was a larger font than the rest of the window sticker.

I stand corrected, the VIN on the chassis broadcast sheet is the same size font as the other boxes. Wish my broadcast sheet was as clean as the one in the link below.

[JoeC]

Not sure if it was stamped or printed but one 69 Chevelle had two build sheets and the larger number is positioned the same on both. Did they make copies of the build sheets or run them off a printer for each assembly station?

[moparts]

Instead of a stamp, what about something like a time card machine?? That way the location could be predetermined.

[Nova Research Project]

Joe,

There were MANY copies of the sheets floating around. The article said that as bodies left paint they were re-sequenced and that new SEQ number was transmitted to the cushion room, for example. So when guy built seats had a constant flow of Fisher Body sheets. He would make the seats, put them on a cart in SEQ order, and stuff the sheet in the springs of the seat. When the body came down the trim line the worker looked at the SEQ number on the body and pulled the seat with the same SEQ number sheet. At this stage the SEQ numbers would be in order. It was inferred that is was that same on the GM side. Greg

[Nova Research Project]

Jeff, You are talking about the Freemont Broadcast Sheet (http://members.core.com/~faldrich/buildsheet.htm) which were of the new style in 69, while the Leeds Broadcast Copy (http://members.core.com/~faldrich/leeds.html) were the old style in 69.

I think the new style were stamped with a timeclock style machine. Which means the Freemont Chevelles may have received the VIN on the GM side not at Fisher Body.

The Camaros and the Novas still used the old style in 69 as did the Novas in 70. Greg

[Nova Research Project]

Another thought on the 283XXX 07E with standard paint . The Order of Run was created days in advance to allow material for production to be released, and to give stockmen time to supply the line. If a shortage was found after the Order was established and body numbers assigned, but before the body was started the car could be built later with the original body number. At this point it was just a plate in a box.

How does the non COPO chevelles VIN to Body dates compare to the COPO VINs? Are the 7E's and exception or are the special paint cars the exception? Greg

[Chevy454]

So, which is a better indicator of the actual build date of a car: the vin# or the body#? According to the list I posted on the first page, the cars are in order by vin# and build date, but not body#. Is one a better indicator than the other? Is it a coincidence these vin#'s fall in order?

[Nova Research Project]

Rob, I would think that supports the VIN number being assigned at the same time that the trim tag was stamped with the date. So (based on these few numbers) yes VIN is a better indicator of date than Body Number. Greg

[Ed Cunneen]

The VIN on a 1969 Chevelle is stamped below the heater box round hole on the firewall and then in an area just below the heater box area and to the right.

[Mr70]

I have a collection of over 200 1970 Chevelle buildsheets.As an example of two built 10/27/69 at Kansas City Leeds plant:Chevelle#1 VIN#121991 with a Job sequence#3389 and Body#193705..........Chevelle#2 VIN#121931 with a Job sequence#3302 and Body#209554.These are both Convertibles.I have seen one Chevelle have as many as 7 buildsheet copies from the Arlington Tx.Plant.

[Jeff H]

So body number and build date don't seem to be very meaningful. But the VIN, SEQ # and build date seem to have a relationship.

[Kurt S]

I mostly agree with Greg's info.
Fisher body built the body when the car was scheduled. But for 69 Camaros, VIN's were not assigned until the car passed thru to the Chevrolet side. There, they were queued into 5 or 6 different buffer (holding) lines and sent down the main line according to the sequence (aka rotation) # assigned to the car.
Chevrolet imprinted ALL partial VINs, that's why those #'s rust, the car was already painted.
John Z has written some of this up, but it needs to get pulled together into an article.

[Jeff H]

Kurt, would that be the Seq # that is on the broadcast sheet or a completely different sequence number? And how did the VIN get on the broadcast sheet if it wasn't known when it was rolling down the Fisher Body line? Did they assign it after it was done on the Fisher side and print out all new broadcast sheets once it was on the Chevrolet side?

[Kurt S]

Yes, that's the sequence # on the broadcast sheets.
The broadcast sheets are only for the Chevrolet side. When the VIN was assigned, printers throughout the plant printed the sheets out.
Fisher Body was responsible for the firewall back (so seats were done by Fisher). Fisher had their own sheets and also had UOIT's. Not much Fisher paperwork around for 1st gens. /ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif

This system is still the same today. Just they have more than two forms. I have a mostly complete set from the Ford Atlanta plant, I think there are 5-6 different sheets. And every Taurus has one on top of the gas tank (kinda like LA cars). /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif

[Keith Tedford]

Our Chevelle had "233" crayoned near the top of the firewall above the fuse block. Any clues on what that meant?

[JoeC]

Keith, does the 233 match any of the trim tag numbers? For example is the last three digits of the number in lower right hand corner 233?

[Chevy454]

Check the list...and the answer is "no"! Yet another mystery!

[Kurt S]

Not really a mystery. The sequence # was (and still is) the tracking # during production. It does not show up on the cowl tag, just on broadcast sheets.

[Keith Tedford]

The "233" on our firewall doesn't go with anything on our cowl tag. The number is in the top drivers side corner of the firewall and would normally be hidden by the fender. On the outside of the cowl, on the driver's side, ahead of the door hinges is "2100" and some other numbers that I can't read. Any Ideas?

[Jeff H]

Keith, that's where my 69 Camaro has the seq # written in crayon and it matches the seq # on my broadcast sheet. Do you have a broadcast sheet or the build sheet? My car also has a 72 written on the middle of the firewall and that matches the 72 paint for Hugger Orange.

[Keith Tedford]

The "233" appears to be written on the black paint, not under it. We have the car apart and there was no paper work anywhere. Our Baltimore built SS396 was the same. Luckily we can get GM of Canada documentation up here. I'll have to do some light sanding on the fire wall to see what else I can find. Thanks for the tip Jeff.

[JoeC]

Keith, instead of 233 can it be Z33 and be a Canadian RPO? Just a guess.

[Keith Tedford]

Joe, it is definitely a 233.

[Nova Research Project]

Keith,

It should be the SEQ# from the GM Body or Chasis Broadcast copy. Did you find either one of these? The SEQ# would be on top of the black paint.

The 69 L78 Chevelle on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=1871083358) has a Body Broadcast Copy with SEQ# 246. 246 is reproduced on the Differential Cover and the spare. These are some examples where SEQ# might appear on a car. Greg

[Keith Tedford]

This probably is the last of the sequence number as it is on top of the black paint.

[Keith Tedford]

I did some light sanding on the firewall. No other crayon marks came up. I did find the VIN "9B412667" stamped upside down below the round heater housing hole as well as below the rectangular hole at the bottom right hand side. I have taken pictures of everything for future reference.

[copo9566aa]

Rob
Only one assembly line at Baltimore plant in 69 or two ???.

[JoeC]

Baltimore also assembled El Caminos. I wonder if the vin numbers were in sequence. If so the El Camino vins would space out the Chevelles and may cause gaps depending how they were scheduled.

[elcamino]

El Caminos were part of the Chevelle line and thus would be intermixed with all the other models during production, e.g. sta wgn, 4 dr sedans, convertibles, and so on. Often they would build certain models in groups but not always.

Numbers you are finding written on the car were done by line workers for easy recognition. They would write that number on some part etc and it made it easier for them to build the car. I had a 1999 Suburban K2500 from Janesville that had similar numbers on it. The control arms, rear axle etc had 256 in crayon and it was also on the firewall.


Here's links to interesting info..
http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com/build-manifest.html

http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant.com/corvetteproduction.html