Vehicle Certification Label

[Kevin Morris]

I am also seeking a source for Vehicle Certification Labels. Sources, like Corvette Central and Eckler's, have a label....but claim their's is for a '69-75. According to the '70-72 TIM/JG, the label for the '72 (as my car is a '72) is different from previous years. Does anyone know of a source for a '72 VCL?

Kevin #39927

[Terry M.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

The basic label for 1972 is the same as 1969-1971. The information for the specific car that is printed on the label at the time of vehicle manufacture is different in 1972 (beginning in January 1972) than earlier.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Terry,

The TIM/JG illustration leads me to believe that the two labels ('68-71 and the '72-later) are different sizes. This is not the case?

As far as the information typed on the label, the GVWR, GAWR, and axle loading information was TYPED onto the label? As were the words "Passenger Car" at the bottom of the label?

Finally, once I get one of these labels, how do I get this information typed onto it? Surely not a typewriter?

Sorry for all of the questions, but if 40% of my points are attributable to this little sticker, I want to make certain it is correct.

Thx much,
Kevin #39927

[Charlie Williamson]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Are you talking about the little sticker that goes at the drivers side door jamb? I didn't know all there is to know about corvette's when I bought mine... and that little jewel is missing. Now I have no way of proving what was what.

[Michael M.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

I have 2 '72s - an early ( Oct 71 ) and a late ( May 72 ). Sometimes it is like owning 2 different years.

The early car has a '71 sytle sticker where only the VIN is teletyped onto the sticker. I'm pretty sure it is from a ball type teletype and not a dot matrix printer. The late car has/had the same label stock ( best I can tell ), but has/had all the additional information type onto it ( GVRW, ... ). I say "Has/Had" because I had to scrape it off during this repaint because it was in bad shape. But I first got lots of pics.

There is usually a guy on ebay who sells blanks one ... your on your own for the printing/typing and I'm not sure exactly how legal it is to reproduce this sticker.

Hope this helps.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Mike, if there is any way to email me a picture or two of your VCL (label)...the one that was on your late (May) '72 car...would you mind sending me the pics?

Thx,
Kevin #39927
KRMorris6@aol.com

[Chuck S.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Kevin, I think there must be some misunderstanding of the amount of judging points at stake here: When the TIM&JG says 40 percent of the points are assigned to the blue certification label and clear overlay, that doesn't mean 40 percent of the judging points for the entire car...only those points allotted to the doors and door jamb area. The points assigned to the doors/door jambs is only a small fraction of the total judging points for the car. If you don't have the label, it won't be a insignificant hit, but it's not necessarily fatal.

In past years, the cerfification label was an element that was not fakeable; in other words, you either had the real McCoy or you didn't have it. You will find that vendors will sell you stuff that isn't going to fly on the judging field; I haven't examined the repros, but I suspect these latter day certification labels are going to fall into that category. To the inexperienced eye, they may look like a diplomat in top hat and tails, but to an experienced judge, they are probably going to resemble BoBo the clown.

You have hit on the fundamental reason: even if the repro is excellent (and I highly doubt that), you still have to duplicate the font. I believe it is possible to duplicate the font, but I believe you will need a good background in graphic arts and in the use of high quality printers. In my opinion, this cert label is not going to be a bolt-on, repro restoration item.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Chuck, no misunderstanding here. I fully realize that the 40%, as outlined in the TIM/JG, is only 40% of those points attributable to that particular area of the car. However, if you are taking, what I believe to be a Second Flight car, and trying to achieve Top Flight, then every point counts. Not to mention the fact that I am anal-retentive to the extreme.

I would be very interested to hear from other owners who have had their cars judged. How closely did the judges scrutinize your repro. label? Did it pass?

And please let there be no doubt, I am not trying to fake or forge anything here (and I am certain Chuck, you were not insinuating that I was). I have all of the documentation I would ever need to prove that my car is what I say it is, including the original tank sticker. I simply want to earn judging points and, at the same time, reproduce my car back to the way it was when it rolled off transport truck new.

As for the quality, or lack thereof, of the current day labels, that is what I am trying to determine. Are they worthy of using?

Kevin #39927

[Gregg Plapas]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Kevin,

I used a older electric IBM typewriter for mine and it worked well, but the NCRS has not passed judgement on it yet. My gut feeling is, at least one is there with the proper info., and yes I purchased mine off E-Bay. I own a 73, so be sure you get what you need, as I am sure you will. Last, but most important, you may find one at Carlisle this weekend if you were planning to attend. If you would like in the event you are unable to attend, let me know, and if I run across one I can put you in contact with him or her.

cheers,
Gregg

[Michael M.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

I'll send ya my pics when I get home tonight...

[Dick W.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

There is a least one real good label being reproduced. Yes, the info can be done on a typewriter. The best font that I have seen was done on one of the old IBM with the interchangeable ball. I do not remember which font it was but I think I could probably find out

[Kevin Morris]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Dick, who is reproducing the VCL you are talking about? And where is it available?

Kevin

[Harmon C.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Kevin The blanks are on E-bay and the Info. can be typed on. I payed $300. for one $45. for one and $ 20 on e- bay and filled it in myself. On 73's none of the above will fool me today but 10 years ago I was fooled. All would loose a point or two if I was judging on a 73 unless the label was original. Each year has a way they were made and unless you know the pattern one could think an original of one year is not original on another year. For one to be an expert in all years would be a big task. I have not seen a perfect repo. that I know of but if anyone did make one perfect they earned that point or two. Lyle

[Dick W.]

Re: Vehicle Certification Label

Kevin, I will contact the gentleman that is doing them and have him contact you. I got a copy of the GM blueprint for the decals and had some made years ago. They were real good copies. Somehow I misplaced about 100 of them and have not been able to find them or the print. I guess I have a terminal case of NCRS(Never Can Remember S..t) disease or something like that.