What do production records really mean?

[Edward M.]

My brain has yet again wandered to esoteric subjects? My new question is: What do Chevrolet production records really mean.

Case in point, the production records for 1973 indicate that 4 cars were produced with the YJ8 aluminum wheel option. To the best of my knowledge, we have yet to identify a single 73 Vette that was actually delivered with these wheels. But the production records say that 4 cars were produced with this option.

Now to my question: What do the Chevrolet production records really say? One theory is that four cars were ordered with the aluminum wheel option, AND THE BUYERS DID NOT GET A REFUND ON THE PRICE OF THOSE WHEELS. This would mean that the production records indicate that Chevrolet was paid for four sets of these wheels as part of the vehicle purchase.

Now, I know that many people attempted to order these wheels, and those orders were changed to delete the aluminum wheel option. I also know that a stop order was in effect, telling dealers that the wheel was unavailable. This order was accidently lifted for a four day period in October of 1972. Orders were transmitted to the assembly plant during this four day period that included the YJ8 option. I have a copy of the notice from Chevrolet telling dealers that the stop order was accidently lifted, and that the wheel availability remained uncertain.

Were four cars ordered during that four day period with the YJ8 option included, and the buyers paid for the YJ8 option, but never actually got the wheels?

So, my question remains: What do Chevrolet production records really say?
Anybody? Thoughts?

[Mike M.]

Re: What do production records really mean?

on a related topic, my 63 ZO6 was ordered with K/O's and the original owner, still alive and well and reunited with his old vette 5 years ago, related that he ordered the ZO6 with K/O's , paid for them and was not compensated when the car was delivered to his then wifes uncles chevy dealership.He eventually, in the fall of 63, obtained a set of K/O's, over the counter, at the uncle's dealership. mike

[Loren L.]

Your question is really much narrower -

it is what do the 1973 production records mean with regard to the optional wheels? I would submit that the face answer is correct - that before Engineering could decree that the wheels were defective, 4 sets were delivered - none of these have been located, because they were probably located immediatley and recalled and exchanged.

Unlike Mike, my original 63 owner ordered his KO wheels in Oct 62 - when he found out in Feb that the wheels were holding the order, he cancelled and received a full credit, minus the cost of the WSW he added, and the car was delivered in March.

[Duke W.]

Re: Your question is really much narrower -

Just to add a similar story, it was my intention to order KOs, but Don Campbell, my salesman at Alan Green Chevrolet in Seattle said KOs were on hold and the order would be delayed until they were released. This was in early February. Since there was no estimated release time frame, I ordered my car without them and took delivery in late March.

I would imagine that anyone who hung on to the KO option would have ended up with their order never built during the '63 model year.

Duke

[Bill W.]

Re: What do production records really mean?

They probably built the 4 cars with the wheels. They could have been pre production (first 25) and used as zone cars , photo shoots ,advertising,& testing (road & crash). The wheels would have been recalled before the public could get them.

The car is priced out per invoice when delivered . If someone did not get their money back it was because the dealer didnt refund it.Bill

[George C.]

Re: What do production records really mean?

I love those YJ8's. My 1973 (1Z37J3S416102) built 2/28/73 did not have them. My good friend's father ordered a 1973 Corvette Coupe (952) Bright Yellow in September of 1972 from O'Connor Chevrolet in Rochester,New York. He ordered it with YJ8's plus the L82 and the Z07 Suspension and Brake Package. He waited all year to get that Corvette, dealer finally told him in May of 1973 either cancel YJ8's or order a 1974 Corvette. He cancelled wheels and didn't get Corvette till early August of 1973, (late delivery) beautiful Corvette. Anybody knows where this car is please email me and let me know. Back to the YJ8's built, look on cover of Corvette News Oct/Nov 1972 and you will see the feature Yellow Corvette with the YJ8's, that's one delivered. So there might have been three others for GM ad's, bigwigs,etc. I had a Car and Driver magazine forgot what month in 1974 but it had a picture of Zora(not his personal 74) in a GM parking lot with what appeared to be a 1974 Corvette with a hatchback style back window(not the eckler style but more like the 1978 Corvette style parked next to a 1974 Caprice Estate Wagon,and that (prototype) Corvette also had YJ8's or it. So I know the wheels were around. There was a TV show called the "Magician" with Bill Bixby, and in a episode I saw him driving his white 1974 Corvette with the YJ8's. Save the Wave.>George