COPO Chevelle trim tag data

Chevy454 · #1 10-21-2002, 03:38 PM

I am working on updating the list as we speak. Thanks for the info, fellas! Ed, is there an extra number in your "Mxxxxx" on your tag?

So, which determines which car was built first: earlier body # or earlier vin #?

**Stefano** · #2 10-21-2002, 04:27 PM

I would say the body number would be the closest to the completion date on any of the cars, in most cases but not all and that the date of an MSO would be the official completion date.

There are numerous reasons why a car would not be completed for release to a particular dealer, in sequence with the vin and body tag.

Just my $00.02.

**YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY** · #3 10-21-2002, 04:52 PM

I know we have been down this 'chicken and the egg' discussion before, but did we ever conclude which came first? I thought the body number indicated the order of the car's production, but I think KurtS had a different flow of events - I forget. Kurt?

**Stefano** · #4 10-21-2002, 06:09 PM

The assigned body number and ultimate cowl tag date ,as well as vin do not always flow in sequential order.

**Kurt S** · #5 10-22-2002, 07:09 AM

In 69, body #'s were the order #'s. VIN's are (mostly) in sequence, orders can be delayed waiting for components / scheduling.
VIN's didn't come down the line sequentially, they were mixed up a little by the queue going into the assembly side of the plant.

**COPO** · #6 10-22-2002, 11:21 AM

"7E" would be the fifth week of July for the body build date. So the body could have likely been built July 28-31 (assumming they didn't work on Sunday July 27). The shipping date would help to narrow down the exact build date.

Ed Cunneen · #7 10-21-2002, 06:15 PM

I will check the extra digit out tonight. You can tell my eyesight isn't what it once was!.

In reply to your other question, my understanding is that the body number was used by Fisher Body and Chevrolet to keep track of the order from the beginning to the end. The last 6 digits of the VIN being scheduled for a car was totally dependant on the schedule for assembly at the Chevrolet plant.
Body numbers and VIN's are not necessarily sequential in order. A body could have been sent back for paint touch up and been issued a VIN hundreds off from one that it was in line with that morning.

Chevy454 · #8 10-21-2002, 07:09 PM

I updated the list on page 1, but I took a guess on Ed's vin#, so it may not be right! I also added my shipping date, which I forgot I had.

Now, for the numbers question. Was a vin assigned before the sheetmetal was assembled? Otherwise, how did it get stamped in those "hard to reach" places?

**Mr70** · #9 10-21-2002, 07:21 PM

From researching 1970 Chevelles built at the Leeds plant,I would think the VIN# would be assigned once the paper order was taken,and all the specified options as well. It does make sense,but I am not an expert.
How else woud they know to stamp the VIN# on the Block,Body,Trans.,Rear D/S frame rail if at all.

**COPO** · #10 10-21-2002, 07:58 PM

This discussion was covered on the Camaro site in the past and it was stated by someone (John Z) who actually worked in various plants that the VIN was assigned on the Chevrolet side of the plant, not on the Fisher Body side. Therefore the VIN came after the Body #.

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