Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

[Todd H 26112]

Am looking for samples online of what a good repro or an original window sticker looked like for early C3s particularly '71. I'm curious to learn more about the details, nuances & configuration of the pre-printed forms as well as whatever typed data was 'typical', what kind of content, information etc would be provided. Known samples available online of known good (or bad) ones would be great. If anybody has any suggestions or links or whatever LMK - post or email direct.

-thanks!

PS: Also what are the tell-tale signs of a repro vs an original besides the fact that most originals would likely 'look' aged.

[Tom R.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

You've taken on a noble endeavor. The most readily available would be the 70 registry and there was a thread on this in the past six months...check the Archives #4. Also try AAA Enterprises...they reproduce window stickers and can help you with the reproduction pre-printed forms.

I believe it was John Hinckley who pointed out that the distinguishing characteristic of a repro window sticker vs the original (other than age) was the vehicle ident number...a factory number that tracked the vehicle throughout assembly. this is different than the VIN, which is the early C3 years was not assigned when assembly began on the floor (or rather did not appear on paperwork). The "ident number" appeared on the build sheet as well as the Order Copy (or tank sticker) in those early years.

[Warren F.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

Todd:

What John and Tom state is exactly correct. I have both Corvette Order Copy and original Window Sticker for my '71 LS6 coupe.

[Jack H.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

One caution: AAA Enterprises limits contact to letter/fax to thwart long phone conversations with those wanting information rather than actual PURCHASE of a reproduction window sticker. Attempting to find/contact them to ask questions and get answers without actually buying their repro product will probably be a futile effort. They know there are repro, blank, window stickers out there you can buy for a do-it-yourself project....

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the leads/suggestions. I did some searches based on your suggestions and ultimately found the '70 registry site. While it's not '71 they did have a scan of one original and one repro window sticker online.

There were quite a few differences between the orig and repro scanned in. Almost all were in the 'upper' section. The repro didn't have all the various 'numbers' in various spots and was comparatively 'bare'. Where the VIN was it looked to be some sort of pre-printed # on the form - that or a completely different font for the VIN.

The original online I found had a 6 digit # in the upper right near the Chevrolet logo. On teh original there was also a 5 digit # in the same line as the dealers city/state which may have been the zip if that's possible though it was out of sequence. And finally I noticed a 6 digit alpha-numeric just above the 'St Louise' assembly location line.

The left margin was a little more indented on the options area on the repro. In both cases they use a '3' followed by the RPO followed by 'AA' 'AB' 'AC' etc... for a 6-digit number next to each option. (Anybody know what the significant of those 'extra' characters are for the options?)

Both were scanned in B&W and scaled so I can't speak to any differences in color (I think the Chevrolet logo was blue not sure what else) or dimensions (8.5 X 14"?)

I'll keep AAA in mind as well but I'm not looking to purchase anything - just want to learn more about these.


Orig: Repro:
Thanks!

[John H.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

The "extra characters" (AA, AB, AC, etc.) are the ECL codes that describe the combination restrictions for that option as installed on that particular car; the Engineering Bill Of Material released each RPO many different ways (with an ECL code for each condition) based on what other options might also be built along with it, as various combinations of other options changed the parts required to assemble the base option (wire harnesses, fasteners, trim-colored parts, etc.). For those who didn't live with ECL codes in production, there's a good description of what they're all about in Noland's Vol. II book.

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

Thanks John,

So the AA et al is sort of like specific to the 'permutation' of the option being applied it sounds like. I'm not sure I'll buy the book just for that info alone but someday if I ever get a copy I'll be sure and look it up.

What about the single # that precedes the RPO? In the example I found above they are all '3's. (On the build sheet they are '03's)

Upon closer examination of the scan, the 5 digit # is NOT a zip code. It is on the same line as the dealership city, state but it PRECEDES them and is in the leftmost margin. In this case it's '03047'. No ZIP present. Could that 5 digit # be a combination of the Zone # and Dealer #? Just a thought.

Also to the right most side of the page on the same line as the dealership name is the 6-digit #. Is that the "Ident. Number" from the 'Corvette Order Copy' aka tank sheet or build sheet or whatever?

Finally there is what appears to be a 'KBL156' just a few lines above the 'MISSOURI' Final Assembly Point. Would this be the "Order Number" also from the 'Corvette Order Copy' tank or build sheet?

None of these 3 #s were present on the one reproduction I found scanned in. So either the purchaser of the reproduction didn't have the data and it was left blank or whoever reproduced it didn't know about them or where they went. The other giveaway in the two sample I found was of course the VIN entry.

It's interesting to learn how a knowledgeable judge would look at or consider the differences in a repro vs original window sticker. There have been some articles in the Restorer on build sheets and mention of window stickers but mostly about C1s and C2s I think. Can't recall any regarding C3s off hand.

thanks,

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

SOmething else interesting is the relative brevity of window stickers like say early C3s compared to modern window stickers.

Looking at a modern window sticker they list a ton of 'standard' junk as part of the package. Some silly things get listed and you almost feely you got a steering wheel!

But on the early C3s if it's not an option the don't seem to list it. THey do list 2 no-cost options with paint color and interior on all of them. One showed a no cost option close ratio M21.

Beyond that I'm not sure they listed 'standard' options like base V8 engine, wide-ratio 4 speed or blackwall tires.

Still it's interesting to know and understand what makes a document correct.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

"It's interesting to learn how a knowledgeable judge would look at or consider the differences in a repro vs original window sticker."

Todd,

FYI, the window sticker isn't judged at NCRS meets. It is at the Bloomington Gold event. So, in general, the subtleties of the window sticker aren't commonly known or discussed. In fact, rarely do I see a copy of the window sticker on a car during an NCRS event, and when I do it's usually a reproduction. The originals tend to stay in binders with all the other owner's documentation if it even still exists.

I haven't ever seen a reproduction window sticker not get full credit at Bloomington to date. I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but I haven't seen it or heard of it.

I believe there was an article on the stickers a few years ago in the Restorer, but if I recall correctly it was for the midyears.

Patrick

[John H.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

Price stickers began life as a purely technical description of the car, in accordance with the Monroney law that brought them into existence; they have since morphed into a "marketing tool", plus all the EPA info that's now required ("your mileage may vary, etc.)

On Vipers, we even have a pre-printed and highlighted section at the top of the sticker that says "This Viper Custom-Built for (customer's first and last name), as most are "sold orders"; the sticker is also sized perfectly (on purpose) for a standard size document frame, and peels off the backing paper easily without wrinkling the sticker itself; part of the "Viper Experience"

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

I just got finished re-reading John's recent article on the 'missing link'. In it he discusses some things that went on w/ various documents at the factory thru production. After reading it I almost want to draw a flow chart for how all that magic happened in the factory and somehow 'came together'.

But after reading that article and looking at scans of an original and a repro window sticker - unless they take the time to add in the 'extra' #s one can definately differentiate the two based on not just 'age' but content.

Actually if you had say a 'Tank Sticker' for the add'l #s or 'faked' the #s one could still make a more accurate appearing window sticker I suppose. But if they already get full credit & nobody cares...

[Todd H 26112]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

I'm going to hazard a guess that by the mid to late 70s they had added value as marketing tools. Somewhere around the eary 80s I started seeing all kinds of 'standard' stuff start to get listed on various cars. Silly things like high beams or carpeting or seat belts.

They intentionally sized teh sticker to be framed? - gotta love it!

I guess in the very early 70s if it wasn't an option or change for the standard configuration it wasn't listed (E.g. wide ratio M20 transmissions, black wall tires and base ~300hp engines didn't get mentioned on price stickers back then).

But I guess no cost configuration changes did and that would have included not only exterior and interior colors but also close ratio or automatics even though they were 'no cost' so to speak. E.g. they differed from standard.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Where to learn about early C3 Window Stickers

DC's Jeep arm also put similar wording like "Built Especially For...(insert correct person's name)" on the Wrangler that Tom Phares ordered new about two years ago. I thought it was a nice touch.

Patrick