COPO Chevelle trim tag data

[JoeC]

The 69 Chevelle build sheets have the sequence number (body no.) printed on the build sheet in same type as part codes. The first half of vin is printed in same type but second half of vin is in different type. This tells me the body number and serious no. (V8 or L6) were known at the time the computer printed the build sheet. I would guess vin serial number (sec. half) was added later by a different printer possibly located on the line. Some build sheets have a second hand written sequence number which is the same as the last three digits of the number stamped on trim tag in lower right field. This may be some type of secondary tracking number needed during the assembly process then added by hand on the build sheet. I was collecting 69 Chevelle Baltimore info to build a data base but have not been able to get a sufficient amount.

[Nova Research Project]

VIN numbers were established before the body received the trim tag. But since there is nothing unique to the VIN and the cars options, I wonder if the Scheduling Clerk just assigned the next one on the list. Since there were multiple body fabrication lines, the chances of the bodys coming to the scheduling clerk in order were slim. VIN was not on the Fisher Body sheet. It was included on the GM Chassis and Body Broadcast copy after the body passed through the wall. So the VIN was know when these were printed.

The different type font might have been an attempt to make the last digits more legible. I worked with form feed printers a lot years ago. It is almost impossible to line up individual sheets in a printer after they have been removed. The guys on the line would not have bothered to put single sheets into a printer. They would have just written the number on the sheet. Were the last numbers on any of you examples out of line with the first numbers? Greg