COPO Chevelle trim tag data - Page 6

Ed Cunneen · #51 10-23-2002, 02:08 PM

Greg,
Thanks for sharing that information!!
Ed

JoeC · #52 10-23-2002, 02:28 PM

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 · #53 10-23-2002, 03:01 PM

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 · #54 10-23-2002, 03:12 PM

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. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Nova Research Project · #55 10-23-2002, 03:36 PM

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 · #56 10-23-2002, 03:51 PM

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** · #57 10-23-2002, 04:26 PM

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 · #58 10-23-2002, 04:36 PM

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!? [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif[/img] I've had 3 and couldn't find it!

**SS427** · #59 10-23-2002, 04:41 PM

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** · #60 10-23-2002, 05:16 PM

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.

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