COPO Chevelle trim tag data

[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?