The order process is documented, there is a sheet that was provided to the dealers describing how the orders were processed.
The order was placed and when it was accepted, the # which we call the body # was assigned.
When that car was able to fit into the build mix, it was scheduled. Body tag was stamped and attached to the firewall and body was built up.
When the body passed thru the wall out of Fisher, it was put into a queue for sequencing. This was so certain operations were overloaded, basically spacing the cars out, eg don't want to many convertibles in a row or AC cars, etc. In this queue, the VIN was assigned.
Proof the VIN was assigned here is the broadcast sheets all have the VIN on them. And they needed the VIN so they could sequence and stamp the engine and trans.
Marlin,
No way the cars would be scheduled if the parts weren't there or else due in a day or two and would be there when needed. They didn't schedule the body #'s in order. This topic helps show that. And once the car was started being built, it went the whole way thru the line. It would be chaos otherwise.
Denis,
Body #'s were assigned by body style and interior in LA only in 67 and by body style in LA in 68. Norwood assigned 67-8 body #'s irrespective of the body style.
454,
All 68-9 Camaro got a 124-7 trim tag, even L6 cars. The engine didn't affect Fisher Body so it wasn't coded. Should be the same with Nova's.
Charlie,
JohnZ worked for Chev back in 69, but he was the plant manager at a competitor (big hint is look at his email ID).
Unreal,
I said it was an X11 COPO, not an X11 Yenko.
Kurt