Body Id plate info.

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 trim tag info

Brian, given only the 67 467 style code that you posted initially, John Rohe's reply was correct, insofar as this indicates a 1967 convertible body. Now that we know you have a '65, you should verify that the code should read 65 467.

As with all things GM, there were many variations. Trim tags began on Corvettes in 1963, then a second body line was added in Dec '63, at Ionia Michigan (A-code bodies, for A.O.Smith). Early '65 S-code convertible bodies (produced at St.Louis) had the full 65 19467 as the style code, with later ones dropping the 19. But the early "A" body tags did not identify the year [19 467, even omitting the 19 from about the first 800 cars (per N.Adams,Vol 2)].

You mentioned possible option checks; if you have an interior color other than black (vinyl or leather), it is possible to identify certain options from the trim code that impacted the body; example: a '65 S-body convertible with saddle leather, power windows and automatic trans would have the trim code of 421BJ, because these options and colors affected the choice of center console. Things improved even further on '66 and '67 trim codes, identifying combinations of options A31, A82, A85, C07, M35, N03, but ONLY if the interior is not black.

As for other options, PS, engines, etc, the best you can do is get hold of the '65 factory assembly manual and check out all the tell-tale mods or variations required for these options. Good luck

[Wayne M.]

Re: '65 trim tag info

Brian, given only the 67 467 style code that you posted initially, John Rohe's reply was correct, insofar as this indicates a 1967 convertible body. Now that we know you have a '65, you should verify that the code should read 65 467.

As with all things GM, there were many variations. Trim tags began on Corvettes in 1963, then a second body line was added in Dec '63, at Ionia Michigan (A-code bodies, for A.O.Smith). Early '65 S-code convertible bodies (produced at St.Louis) had the full 65 19467 as the style code, with later ones dropping the 19. But the early "A" body tags did not identify the year [19 467, even omitting the 19 from about the first 800 cars (per N.Adams,Vol 2)].

You mentioned possible option checks; if you have an interior color other than black (vinyl or leather), it is possible to identify certain options from the trim code that impacted the body; example: a '65 S-body convertible with saddle leather, power windows and automatic trans would have the trim code of 421BJ, because these options and colors affected the choice of center console. Things improved even further on '66 and '67 trim codes, identifying combinations of options A31, A82, A85, C07, M35, N03, but ONLY if the interior is not black.

As for other options, PS, engines, etc, the best you can do is get hold of the '65 factory assembly manual and check out all the tell-tale mods or variations required for these options. Good luck

[Al Grenning]

RE :1965 TRIM TAGS

The study of trim tags is fascinating and eye opening. In 1965, both Saint Louis and Ionia, Michigan were producing bodies. However, both the specific build information and the embossment procedures applied to the tags was different. Although both plants used the same Chevrolet trim tags, Ionia's equipment left a different character pattern in the face of the plate. Ionia ( A.O. Smith) did not include complete exception control letters (ECLs) on their body tags. This was done even though that information was "on hand", printed right in their body orders. Why that information was excluded has been a source of wonderment.

Many early 65 Saint Louis trim tags under the "STYLE" designation have in addition to the year the first five characters of the VIN code. (19467 or 19437 - convertible or coupe) An example would be: "65 19467". As the year progressed that practice seems to have disappeared - discarding completely the "19".

One of the original questions in this thread was, "how to tell the original options of the build?" For Saint Louis bodies built in ' 65 with other than standard black vinyl interiors or black leather interiors the complete list of RPO options can be determined from the exception control letters following the trim code. Noland Adams has a list in his outstanding Restoration Volume. Additional information has also been available through other sources. In any case, by looking at the TRIM line on the tag it is also possible to determmine the model year, (each year had its own code system) The same thing can be done by looking at the PAINT line - its year specific except for 66-67.

Another way to validate an original trim tag is to compare the body build date in the upper left hand corner to the body number on the right top corner. Since a data base of these tags has been collected it is an easy business to see if the relationship "fits in" with the master list. This would be particularly useful in the case of a questionable trim tag - like a potential mistake in the year code. There, the relationship between body number and body build date could positively confirm the build year. Of course, to be valid the trim tag itself must be the original. As for mistakes in tags there are many documented examples of VINs. TRIM tag errors seem to be the least common.

There is much more to trim tags but these comments relate to the current discussion.

Al Grenning

[Al Grenning]

RE :1965 TRIM TAGS

The study of trim tags is fascinating and eye opening. In 1965, both Saint Louis and Ionia, Michigan were producing bodies. However, both the specific build information and the embossment procedures applied to the tags was different. Although both plants used the same Chevrolet trim tags, Ionia's equipment left a different character pattern in the face of the plate. Ionia ( A.O. Smith) did not include complete exception control letters (ECLs) on their body tags. This was done even though that information was "on hand", printed right in their body orders. Why that information was excluded has been a source of wonderment.

Many early 65 Saint Louis trim tags under the "STYLE" designation have in addition to the year the first five characters of the VIN code. (19467 or 19437 - convertible or coupe) An example would be: "65 19467". As the year progressed that practice seems to have disappeared - discarding completely the "19".

One of the original questions in this thread was, "how to tell the original options of the build?" For Saint Louis bodies built in ' 65 with other than standard black vinyl interiors or black leather interiors the complete list of RPO options can be determined from the exception control letters following the trim code. Noland Adams has a list in his outstanding Restoration Volume. Additional information has also been available through other sources. In any case, by looking at the TRIM line on the tag it is also possible to determmine the model year, (each year had its own code system) The same thing can be done by looking at the PAINT line - its year specific except for 66-67.

Another way to validate an original trim tag is to compare the body build date in the upper left hand corner to the body number on the right top corner. Since a data base of these tags has been collected it is an easy business to see if the relationship "fits in" with the master list. This would be particularly useful in the case of a questionable trim tag - like a potential mistake in the year code. There, the relationship between body number and body build date could positively confirm the build year. Of course, to be valid the trim tag itself must be the original. As for mistakes in tags there are many documented examples of VINs. TRIM tag errors seem to be the least common.

There is much more to trim tags but these comments relate to the current discussion.

Al Grenning

[Brian McIntyre]

Re: Body Id plate info.

John,

My '65 has 65 467 following the STYLE on the body paint and trim identification plate.

Brian

[Brian McIntyre]

Re: Body Id plate info.

John,

My '65 has 65 467 following the STYLE on the body paint and trim identification plate.

Brian