Chronology -- Delco Parts Containers

[Wayne M.]

Someone paid $128 for an unopened Delco voltage regulator on eBay; (first pic). Believe these '515' reg's were used from '64 thru '68 (at least on Corvettes). The winner was probably wishing for a certain range of stamped dates. If we apply the generous NCRS 6-month rule, this guy would have a one-in-10 chance that the date was what he wanted. If it was me, I'd be looking for an NOS unit stamped within 2 or 3 months of my car's birthday, so, for this money, I'd be taking a 1-in 30 to 1-in-20 chance with this unopened box. By the winner's username, seems he's a Camaro guy, which is forgiveable .

All this leads to a question I've had in the back of my mind on seeing the same parts produced over a span of many years. 2nd pic show two A/C blower motor 992 relays I have; one very old and one 2 box designs later.

I'm guessing that the old orange and black box was dropped around 1962; and the red/white/blue box began around 1969, replacing the orange / white / black of the first pic.

Anyone care to add their opinions on dates of box design change ?

[Joe L.]

Re: Chronology -- Delco Parts Containers

Someone paid $128 for an unopened Delco voltage regulator on eBay; (first pic). Believe these '515' reg's were used from '64 thru '68 (at least on Corvettes). The winner was probably wishing for a certain range of stamped dates. If we apply the generous NCRS 6-month rule, this guy would have a one-in-10 chance that the date was what he wanted. If it was me, I'd be looking for an NOS unit stamped within 2 or 3 months of my car's birthday, so, for this money, I'd be taking a 1-in 30 to 1-in-20 chance with this unopened box. By the winner's username, seems he's a Camaro guy, which is forgiveable .

All this leads to a question I've had in the back of my mind on seeing the same parts produced over a span of many years. 2nd pic show two A/C blower motor 992 relays I have; one very old and one 2 box designs later.

I'm guessing that the old orange and black box was dropped around 1962; and the red/white/blue box began around 1969, replacing the orange / white / black of the first pic.

Anyone care to add their opinions on dates of box design change ?

Wayne-----


I'd say your chronology is about correct. The orange and black all cardboard boxes did end ABOUT 1961 or 62. The orange and black cardboard/metal boxes were used through ABOUT 1969 or 1970 when the red, black, and blue cardboard/metal boxes first appeared. The latter were used about through the mid-to-late 70's, or so, when the "pull-string" was generally eliminated. There were also orange and black cardboard/metal boxes of the same style as your orange and black all cardboard box.

The difficulty in assessing just when the changes occurred results from the fact that these boxes may have remained in GMSPO, Delco, or dealer inventory long after the time the packaging style was replaced. So, when one purchased a part in the old days did not necessarily tell one when the part was packaged.

Delco electrical parts were usually packaged at the manufacturing source or dedicated Delco SERVICE parts packaging facility. On the other hand, many other GM parts were shipped to GMSPO warehouses in bins and boxed periodically, as-required. So, theoretically, it was possible for parts manufactured and received by GMSPO at the same time to be boxed differently. For Delco electrical parts, this was not possible.