'71 Chassis Stencil Questions

[Charlie P.]

My '71 coupe (#21,467-last week of production) has the following chassis stencil: 6263623-140, dated 6-7-71. Is that a correct part no.? Also, it has a grease pencil "1972" adjacent to the stencil. Maybe it was ear-marked for '72 production? Are there any differences between '71 and '72 chassis I can look for? THANKS for the help.

[Chuck S.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Charlie, it's true that your frame stencil does appear to have the 72 format, i.e. 626362X-XXX, but the date, which was stenciled the same time as the number, is about right for a 71 Corvette built in July.

I think (speculate) that the engineers and managers probably planned for a shortfall in frame production for 71 Corvettes by noting that the 72 frames would work or were the same for 71s, and by starting 72 production early. The grease-marked "1972" is probably the production line inspector's recognition that this frame had stenciled numbers for a 72.

That observaton may have set off a chain of inquiries to confirm that the frame was useable and/or the differences from the 71 frame. If there are ANY differences between 71 and 72 frames, I believe they would have to be minute and require another poster's knowledge.

You may have the first Corvette with a 72 frame ...check the VIN stamp over the left rear axle kick-up sometimes to confirm that it is the original.

[Mike E.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Interesting--the next Restorer will have an article on my 71 #21653--2nd last day of production. On it, the transmission stamping is P2K 06A C11 followed by the abbreviated VIN.
The P2K, like your frame number, indicates that it was planned for 1972, yet used in 71. (also has the 3981709 metal tag, which is correct for 71 M-20).
Very early and very late cars are always quite interesting!

[Warren F.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Mike:

I found your post very interesting! I own a '71, vin #21524. The build date is L13. My transmission assy. build is P2K08A, followed by the vin stamping.

[Charlie P.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Mike and Warren- What part numbers/dates appear on your chassis stencils? Thanks.

[Tom R.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Is the grease pencil 1972 written upside down as the stencil or is it right side up? The frames would have been stacked and if earmarked for 72 with a grease pencil...probably stacks would have been marked the same. By the time the frames entered production...workers would have known whether it was a 71 production or 72 production and therefore the markings unncecessary. Unless production was simultaneous.

It also implies that others in the sequence would have the same markings as well if indeed this was the rationale why they were marked. More to chew on. Charlie...if you did a picture...would it be clear enough to see?

[Charlie P.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

Tom- The grease pencil marking is upside down as well. I'm thinking it was put there when stencil was applied to draw attention to the fact this frame was a '72, or just had a '72 stencil number, as another post said the stencil # was consistent with a '72 (see my original post for the stencil number). But obviously it got used on this '71. I was planning a getting a picture-I'll send you a digital. Thanks Tom.

[Tom R.]

Re: '71 Chassis Stencil Questions

The grease pencil marking would have been done at the St Louis Plant. Stencils were applied by A.O. Smith at the point of frame assembly in Milwaukee...then shipped to St Louis with stencils in place.