1969 VIN'S

[TED WALTHER]

Hi
I was just reading through an old copy of Vette Vues, and I noticed the 250,000th Corvette, a Riverside Gold Conv. came off the line in St.Louis on November 19, 1969, I have concluded that My Riverside Gold Conv. came off on September 4, 1969(I may be wrong), but just for fun I would like to see how close to the 250,000 car mine really is. Does anybody know the current location of the 250,000 car?
Thanks
TED

[Jim R.]

Re: 1969 VIN'S

Ted:

I don't know the location of the 250,000th Corvette, but maybe I can help you figure it out. I got the following info from "1969 Stingray Guidebook" by Rick Bizzoco.

FINAL MONTHLY SERIAL NUMBERS

Code Month Serial No.

M August 728107

N September 730963

So, your serial number has to be in this range.

TIME BUILT AND SERIAL NUMBER

Time Built Serial No.

M11 726709

N05 728690

This narrows the range and your serial number should be close to 728690 since this serial number was used on September 5th.

I also totaled the WEEKLY CORVETTE PRODUCTION 1969 figures and found:

Week Ending Total No. Cars produced in 1969

Aug 29 15,991

Sep 5 16,605

From Aug 29 to Sep 5, a total of 614 cars were built. I don't know if there was a holiday break for Labor Day, but you can approximate daily production for the 7 day period from Aug 29 to Sep 5 and narrow the production to Thursday, Sep 4th. If you assume no holiday, then they averaged 88 cars per day for that week.

Sep 3rd = 5 days X 88 = 440 cars + 15,991 = 16,431

Sep 4th = 6 days X 88 = 528 cars + 15,991 = 16,519

Now, you will need all the annual production figures up to the end on 1968 (I've seen these printed somewhere). Add all previous production to the above two numbers and you will see if 250,000 fell on Sep 4th.

Also, you can narrow the serial number range to Sep 4th even closer by using the N05 number 728690. I don't know if this was the last number used on that day - the book was not clear on this point. But, if two days production was 2 X 88 = 176 cars. Subtract 176 from 728690 and your serial number has to be in that range.

Note to all readers - if this is flawed logic, please be kind to me!!!

Jim #33086

[TED WALTHER]

Re: 1969 VIN'S

Thanks Jim!
You have given me the info I needed. I Looks like I was right for 9/4/69. As it so happens my oldest daughter(9/4/86) and my 1969 Corvette convertible share the same birthday! I wonder how many corvette owners care claim that?
Take care,
TED

[Rich G.]

That's Planned Parenthood! *NM*

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 VIN'S

Ted,
Last time I heard of the 250,000 Corvette was in 1992. It was in California, stored outdoors, awaiting the owners intended restoration.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1969 VIN'S

Likely still there.

I'd bet a hefty number of Corvettes are in a similar "gonna restore it someday" category.

Patrick

[Dave F.]

Re: 1969 VIN'S

Jim, Your logic seems dead solid except for one issue. St.Louis is extremely "union", so it seems doubtful there was a production run on Labor Day.