'63 Owners Pin

[Gary C.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Ed, the whole kit, dated letter to the owner, folder, etc. etc.... Gary....

[Edward M.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

OK boys and girls, my quick education on gold jewelry is now complete enough for me to be dangerous...

Here is what I have discovered...and now THINK I know

There are three variations of the Corvette Owners Pin, based on the markings on the rear.

1. Marked GBM & Co 10K
2. Marked M 1/5 10K DP
3. Marked M 1/5 10K GF

Regarding versions two and three, DP is Double Plate and GF is Gold Filled.

Double Plate - Gold Filled is also designated as single or double plate, indicating that a layer of gold is on one side or two sides. DP is two sides.

Gold Filled - Made by bonding or joining, under heat and pressure, a layer or layers of a karat gold to a base metal.

The 1/5 (not I/5) is the percentage of gold that makes up the total weight of the measured item.

For Gold Filled, 1/5 is the percentage of gold that makes up the total weight of the pin. This is 20%.

For Double Plate, this means that the percentage is divided evenly between both sides of the pin. So, each side has 1/10 of the total weight of the pin. Adding both side together still gives you 1/5.

Clear as mud? Good.

[Gary C.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Ed, what year have you pinpointed the GF pins to? There also may be another early pin. Owner's supposed to bring to Convention. Gary....

[Edward M.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Ed, what year have you pinpointed the GF pins to? There also may be another early pin. Owner's supposed to bring to Convention. Gary....

I haven't. I am waiting on a picture of the back of a pin to confirm this.

You know, it's not like we don't already have enough stuff to research

[Jack H.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Anyone know how long GM continued this practice? Did they do it in 1967 for example, or had they already stopped by then? Definitely a cool item to have.

[Jerry W.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Received the same pin/patch/card packet with a new 62 in June of 62...sewed the patch to my cruising jacket....wore the pin on my collar....out grew the jacket...lost the pin in a bar/restrauant at a dark table....still have the owners card somewhere....also got a life time subscription to Corvette News (which was discontinued by GM in the mid 70's )....No Regrets....was nice seeing the pics of the original

[John H.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Anyone know how long GM continued this practice? Did they do it in 1967 for example, or had they already stopped by then? Definitely a cool item to have.

At least through 1965 - here's one of mine.

[Jim W.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

There was a good article by member Alan Severson in The Restorer in 1986 if you have that issue or if it is part of the Restorer Magazine on CD. It was titled "1957-1973 Corvette Owner Kits". I see it listed in my 1992 printed Topical Index of Articles but can't put my hands on the issue right now.

[Steven B.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Did the patches change over the years? If so, how?

Thanks,

Steve

[Gary C.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Jim, spoke with Alan last year. Alan said he had sold all of those Owner's kits he had a while back. Also said he had no further information to add about Owner's pins other than what was in the Restorer article. Gary....

[Stuart F.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Sorry I'm late to this post with the spec on my pin. When we first started, I went looking for it and only today finally found it again. Never fails. Guess I'll be brave and put it back on my cruising hat so I don't misplace it again.

Mine is one of the: M 1/5
10 KDP

That's from a late 63, FWIW.

I have not located a box with a dk. blue "fuzzy" insert though. Got to keep lookin.

Stu Fox

[Gary C.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Stu, thanks much. Patent sheet on the box. Gary....

[Doug L.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

If any of you are still watching this thread, here is an update.

theseidens@earthlink.net

Doug Loeffler

[Doug L.]

Re: '63 Owners Pin

Gary asked me to post what is on the back of the pin I received. It says MI5
10K DP
It is in a case identical to the one in the photo posted by Tom Hendricks, clear top, blue bottom with a blue fuzzy insert that the pin is attached to.

I don't now if the second pin is identical or in the case. If you contact the seller ask him.

Doug