Re: REAR END DATING AFTER BUILD DATE OF CAR
 

Kurt,
Thinking through that point again, I would be inclined to say you are correct. It would be hard to believe they would build a car - then try to sell it to a dealer for stock, or wait for an order.
Let's consider a possible circumstance: If the body had problems that prevented it from making it to Chevrolet in time to enter it's sequence on the line, what were their possible options? Perhaps it was faster to take another partially finished body and complete it to the spec for the order. If so, that left the first body waiting, after repair, for a similar order before it could be used. Otherwise, I imagine, it would have to be scrapped.

This would be a lot easier if I could find that time machine I misplaced......

Verne.

Re: REAR END DATING AFTER BUILD DATE OF CAR
 

Try this description of the assembly process. It gives a good description of what happens after a car is scheduled to be built.

CRG Assembly Process Description

Re: REAR END DATING AFTER BUILD DATE OF CAR
 

Cars were not scheduled to be built, until all parts were scheduled for delivery. In other words, Fisher would not assign a body number and start a car with the expectation that the body would be pulled off to the side to wait on an engine, or rear, etc.
In the real world, though, sh!t happens. Delivery dates for parts or assemblies get missed. That's when mismatched dates occur. The rarer the assembly, the more likely the occurance. eg. BE rear.

Re: REAR END DATING AFTER BUILD DATE OF CAR
 

Mark,
Thanks very much for the reference to John Hinckley's fine article. I had already been in contact with Mr. Hinckley a few times on some production history issues. He's is a great source of information regarding what actually happened at the plants. He helped me with some details regarding the pilot car research I recently did on a '64 Chevy Impala.

Verne.
Verne.