JL re GM #14016175

[Tom R.]

Hey Joe:

What can you tell me about this part...14016175

[Sal C.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

I'm sure Joe will add more but until then, it's a decerative front plate for a 1980 through 1982 Corvette that I believe was used in states where no front license plate was issued.

[Tom R.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

Late model build sheets (most but not all) show a broadcast code for a VK3 license plate mount (VK3 LIC PLATE MNT) and I've been able to reconcile this with those states where no front plate was called for. But...don't have a part number and would be curious if this is the part number for the VK3 broadcast code. This would mean it came probably in the rear along with other factory documents, floor mats, etc.

[Sal C.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

From what I can tell, 14016175 is assigned to RPO BY8 "Front Decortive Plate Extr Ornament" and VK3 is the mounting bracket. Joe, where are you?

[Sal C.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

In addition, for what it's worth, my November 1981 parts book shows a front mounting bracket, 14016174, available for 1980 only.

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

Sal and Tom-----

It appears to me that the GM #14016175 was a "filler panel" for the front license plate bumper opening which included some sort of emblem (probably to make it look like it "belonged" on the car rather than an obvious filler). It was supplied for 1980-82 when the VK1 "front license bracket delete" was specified for the car (i.e. no front plate states). It appears to me, though, that it was not installed on the car at St. Louis, but supplied in the rear compartment for dealer or owner installation.

Actually, in the strictest sense, I believe VK1 was an anachronism for 1980-82 Corvettes. That's because I don't think that any sort of license plate bracket, per se, was used (with the possible exception of 1980). I think the license plate mounted directly to the bumper recess designed for the plate. The hardware for attachment was included in the rear compartment.

So, I think that if the car was ordered with the VK1 "delete" option, one actually got "more" than if the delete option was not specified. In other words, with the VK1, the car was delivered with the filler panel + mounting hardware (that would likely work for both the filler panel or a front license plate). Without VK1, all you got was the hardware to mount the license plate.

GM #14016174 was, indeed, a front license plate bracket supposedly used for 1980 Corvettes. However, I can find no confirmation that it was ever actually used in PRODUCTION, either installed on the car or supplied in the rear compartment. It did exist, though, was discontinued without supercession in February, 1982, and carried a GM list price at that time of 37 cents (so, it couldn't have been too much of a bracket).

The GM #14016175 front filler panel was discontinued without supercession in September, 1998.

[Tom R.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

Interesting...so can you tell me what VK3 code was prior to 1980?

[Joe L.]

Re: JL re GM #14016175

Tom------

"VK3" was an order code that, for 1975-79, caused a front license plate bracket to be installed on the car (or, possibly, supplied in the rear compartment). This bracket was GM #347929 for 1975-79. "BY8" was an order code that, for 1975-79, caused a front license plate "filler" to be installed on the car (or, possibly, supplied in the rear compartment). This "filler" was GM #355385. As far as I know, one or the other of these order codes had to be specified for any Corvette during these years.

For 1973-74, "VK3" was an order code that caused a front license plate bracket to be installed on the car (or, possibly, supplied in the rear compartment). This bracket was GM #327643. There was no "BY8" or equivalent thereof. So, if the car did not specify a "VK3", then it got no bracket or anything to use as a filler in place of said bracket.

For 68-72 there was no ordering code for the front bracket or anything to replace it; all cars received the front license plate bracket installed on the car.

[Tom R.]

Re: Thanks Joe and Sal *NM*