How to tell a real GM window sticker from the repo

[Jeff H]

I have a couple of blank GM window stickers that a guy sent me. Is there a way to tell the real GM window sticker sheets from the reproduction stuff you see at the shows? They sure smell old and musty like they've been sitting for a long time. I figured they might be good for comparing possible fakes. I have no plans on using them to dummy up a window sticker for my car. He also sent me an old Baldwin catalog/order form which is pretty cool.
Jeff H.

[TimG]

There are lots of ways to tell. Most reproduction stickers do not have the six digit code in the upper right of the sticker. This is an order number and increases as the year goes on. The print of the last six digits of the ID number on a reproduction sticker are different, they tend to be more curvy. The two letter code to the right of the option number really means something. This is, I believe, the ECR or EGR code and ties into a specific option for correlation with other options. U17 "Special Instrumentation" has a different code depending on the engine option even though the U17 code is called the same with a base motor or L78.
Most reproduction stickers do not have the dealer or zone number listed.
Even if you had an original sticker and made a reproduction, the "O" is much more rounded on a reporduction. The "O" on an original is squared off.
The line with the gear ratio has no space between the gear number and the work "ratio".
I bet other members can add lots to look for.
I like to keep lots of stickers on hand for comparison reasons. I am looking at a sticker for my Pace Car and it is Norwood ID number 640491 and order number 323005. A later ID number car should have a higher order number.

[Stefano]

Tim,
Are you refering to the six digit fisher body number which matches the trim tag, located in the upper right hand corner of the window sticker?

[Jeff H]

I compared these sheets to some of the pictures in Jerry's book and there are several differences. These sheets also match a copy of a repro window sticker I have so I'm now pretty sure these are not original GM sheets. I hope the guy who gave them to me didn't pay someone for these thinking they were.
Jeff.

[ChrisS]

The alpha-codes that are the suffix to the RPO number that Tim was referring to, are ECLs or exception control letter codes. They were used in the assembly process to detail which parts were to be used in conjunction with certain options. It's rare that the reproductions get this correct, at least as far as the Corvette ones that I've seen