1969 trim tag

[John Miller]

I am looking to buy a 1969 vette serial #15565. The trim tag has a date code of C07. I am thinking the tag may have been mis-stamped (C instead of G).
Is there any evidance of the early Feb. cars being mis-stamped?
The engine & casting #'s are late Jan.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1969 trim tag

What's the problem? VIN 15565 would have rolled down the final line in Feb '69 as you correctly surmized. That means 'feeder' sub-assy parts (drive train, chassis, body) should pre-date the final assy by the general 0-6 month rule.

Your body trim tag of C07 indicates the body was built in the third month of the model year, or Nov '68 which is within the 0-6 month rule. Maybe a bit abnormal for a body to be 'inventoried' for 3-months prior to final assy, but not without precidence. If the trim tag's C07 date code WAS a G07, this would indicate the body was built in the 7th month of the model year or March of '69 (one month too late for your car's VIN).

On the 'delay' (Nov body going to final assy in Feb), one thing unique about '69 was the 'debate' between GM and the Federal Govt regarding side exhaust. One member of our chapter was a GM Zone Dealer employee who ordered a side exhaust car.

He remembers visiting St. Louis on a company trip to find out why his car wasn't built/shipped and relates the tale of seeing fully assembled cars and bodies slated for side exhaust option 'inventoried' in various holding areas of the plant pending resolution with the government over the noise issue. He tells us he saw his car, fully build and pulled against the wall in 'limbo' sitting/waiting and it didn't leave the plant until the 1st quarter of '69!

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 trim tag *TL*

John & Jack,

It is very difficult to distinguish a C from a G on the trim tag (the key is the size of the open space - don't look for the straight leg of the G because it isn't there). I suspect your trim tag is stamped with a G, as it should be, and nothing is amiss.