VIN vs. Fisher body # on cowl tag correlation???

[JHS]

I realize it is not a proof positive method but it sure was strange to find that my cars all fell within the parameter indicated, noting that only the last 3 digits of each set of numbers are used. Just wondered if this applied to other members cars?

[Chevy454]

My guess is it's gonna be more of a coincidence thing as the VIN and body # were 2 different entities? Fyi: I grabbed a page of COPO Chevelle #s, and out of the 10 on that page, only 1 of them worked out to be within 100...

[Don_Lightfoot]

I also have not heard of any type of correlation between the two, wish there was. As a matter of interest the difference on my Chevelle is 76 (264 vs 188).

[Denis]

I think you should tell us about your 67 Z28...

[JHS]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you should tell us about your 67 Z28...

[/ QUOTE ]

Butternut Yellow w/std. black interior, black vinyl top, console w/out gauges, factory original drivetrain w/MO code block, restored in the mid to late 90s w/lacquer paint, just certified by MacNeish and car #170 in the registery. I meant to post this thread in the general discussion forum, sorry.

[Verne_Frantz]

JHS,
It gets kind of complicated. If a plant is producing more than one model, such as coupe, convertible, sedan, etc., each body style will have it's own consecutive numbering from Fisher on the cowl tag. The VIN of course is assigned to a chassis in the order of final assembly, no matter which body style winds up on that chassis. There is a correllation of course, but not one where a "difference" in both numbers should be any certain value.
The best way to determine if one number agrees with the other would be to find a known original car built early in production and one late in production. Take the difference in body numbers and the difference in sequential VINs and plot both on the same time line. Then when you find a car with a VIN somewhere within that range, an approximate "expected" body number can be derived. You'd need to plot those production lines for each body style.
Again, it's only an approximation, since the rate of production of one style or another may vary, such as more convertibles in the Spring, etc.
Hope this helps...

Verne

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

[ QUOTE ]
JHS,
It gets kind of complicated. If a plant is producing more than one model, such as coupe, convertible, sedan, etc., each body style will have it's own consecutive numbering from Fisher on the cowl tag. The VIN of course is assigned to a chassis in the order of final assembly, no matter which body style winds up on that chassis. There is a correllation of course, but not one where a "difference" in both numbers should be any certain value.
The best way to determine if one number agrees with the other would be to find a known original car built early in production and one late in production. Take the difference in body numbers and the difference in sequential VINs and plot both on the same time line. Then when you find a car with a VIN somewhere within that range, an approximate "expected" body number can be derived. You'd need to plot those production lines for each body style.
Again, it's only an approximation, since the rate of production of one style or another may vary, such as more convertibles in the Spring, etc.
Hope this helps...

Verne

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Ditto, well said

[JHS]

Thanks for the explanation, I have no knowledge as to how the production line process works so this was a good primer. I just thought it interesting that all of my vehicles fell within the 100 digit range. As I said, never thought of this as a difinitive way to prove a cars cowl tag authenticity but thought the members might beinterested in an old mechanics tale I heard. I am learning quite a bit about the hobby from you guys so thanks.

[firstgenaddict]

Here is a very good "Primer" on the complete process from order acceptance at Fisher all the way through final assembly...
http://www.camaros.org/assemblyprocess.shtml

[Kurt S]

What Verne said is correct (assuming you compare the #'s from the same style code) for 68 and earlier. Starting in 69, the body # was the order confirmation #. The correlation to the VIN becomes much more vague.
See http://www.camaros.org/bodynumbering.shtml for more info.