C3-Build Date

[Tony H.]

I was just looking at the 1970 Registry and I noticed that in late 1970 production, build dates covered six days of the week, Monday through Saturday. My question is: What exactly is the event that is marked by the "build" date that is stamped on the stainless plate that is affixed to the door post on the driver's side? Is it the actual date that the car was assembled where everything came together and the car became a Corvette? When was this plate made/installed with respect to the build (at the beginning or end of assembly)? Were any cars begun on one day and completed on the next day and if so, what date would this car receive? Thanks.

Tony

[John H.]

Re: C3-Build Date

Tony -

The build date code on the tag is the date the tag was affixed to the car, which was done after the car left the Paint Shop and was introduced onto the Trim Line; from that point it took about a shift and a half to get to the end of the Final Line where it was a complete driveable car. There is no date on the car to indicate the day it was "produced" off the end of the line; this date is the one that's estimated based on the VIN number by the "Birthday Book" calculator.

[Roger S.]

Re: C3-Build Date

How does the MSO date compare to the completion date and/or the trim tag date?
I would think the MSO date is the same or one day after the completion date.
Roger

[John H.]

Re: C3-Build Date

Dunno exactly, but the MSO was mailed to the dealer along with the wholesale invoice, generally the day after the car was released to the shipper.