Instrument cluster Date stamp

[Hector G.]

Just took a couple of photos of the date stamp on the back of my 67's instrument cluster. Won't go into the contortions I had to go through to get these photos. I've attached one. My car's production date is 4/28/67. Does anyone know what the U15 stands for? Thanks for your help.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

I'm tempted to say you have a speed warning speedometer (RPO U15). But is it a "U" or a zero ? Do you also have a white sticker with 2 letters and a part # for the speedo, tach, and other cluster components. I believe the U15's used green for the letters, and not red, as the others did.

That's a fair spread between ink stamp date and car production, but the U15 low volume may explain it. For instance, my '65 built the last date of production [Aug 2nd], has a red "LB" sticker and ink stamp cluster that says PACKED BY (first line) and July 26 1965____02 (second line).

[Jim D.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

The cluster for my 65 built 4-7 was ink stamped Mar 29 1965. The engine, trans. and rear end assembly dates are 3-29-65 as well.2010_10110014-1.jpg2010_10110018=1.jpg

[Stephen L.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

This is the date code on the back of my BB 390 April 10 car. No speed warning, 60# oil pressure..... Have no idea what 022 means. Possibly the person who assembled it (?).

[Hector G.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Good observation Wayne. It could be a zero. The label is white with red letters "LB", so I don't think it would have come with speed warning. I'll have to take a closer look at the pics. I contorted my body and slipped my hand with camera and fortunately was able to take a photo of the area but at an angle. The car has a few miles over 15k and it does not appear that the cluster has ever been removed. No need to remove it so I'm leaving it alone.

[Leif A.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Here's one from my June 14 built L79. Never gave much thought to those three numbers following the date, but now you've got my curiosity going. Someone here on the forum will have a definitive answer.

[Hector G.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Thanks guys. Now that I look at some of the stamped dates posted, I believe my stamp has 3 numbers after the date. 015 not U15. Like Stephen, I'm going to guess they are the assemblers number. Just a guess.

[Loren L.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

This is interesting, especially to one who only has a partial label: LC with a cluster # that reads 64564, speedo that reads 645536 and tach reads
6412122 and no AC made in usa.
It also has a Packed by followed with the stamped initials"BY"; "July 26, 1965" followed by "6__".
Can I take it as a fact that LA =s High red line, LB =s base motor, LC =s L79 & 390 HP BB?
Wayne and I are pretty sure that my car 23561 is the last L79 in 1965 AND the cluster was built with a 1966 temperature gauge.

[Michael G.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Here's a backside cluster shot of my late September '66 BB.....cluster dated Sep 20 65

[Richard M.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

This is interesting, especially to one who only has a partial label: LC with a cluster # that reads 64564, speedo that reads 645536 and tach reads
6412122 and no AC made in usa.
It also has a Packed by followed with the stamped initials"BY"; "July 26, 1965" followed by "6__".
Can I take it as a fact that LA =s High red line, LB =s base motor, LC =s L79 & 390 HP BB?
Wayne and I are pretty sure that my car 23561 is the last L79 in 1965 AND the cluster was built with a 1966 temperature gauge.

Loren, This is information I researched a few years ago that may help. Some from a old post HERE.

LA is Low RL
LB is High RL
Yes LC is 390 or 400 BB


Color Label RPM Oil-PSI HP PT#
----- ----- --- ------ -- ----

RED LA 5300 60 300 #6457982
RED LC 6000 60 350 #6457985
RED LC 6000 60 390 #6457985
RED LC 6000 60 400 #6457985
RED LB 6500 80 430 #6455364
RED LB 6500 80 435 #6455364
GREEN LE 5500 60 300 SPEED WARNING #6458840
GREEN ?? 6000 60 350 SPEED WARNING #6459496
GREEN ?? 6000 60 390 SPEED WARNING #6459496
GREEN ?? 6000 60 400 SPEED WARNING #6459496
GREEN ?? 6500 80 430 SPEED WARNING #6459495
GREEN ?? 6500 80 435 SPEED WARNING #6459495



Quick links
See page below for tach & speedo pt# info.

Grp 9.750 = Tachometer
Grp 9.761 = Head,Speedo

http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=84650

e.g.'s




PA300084.jpg

[Donald O.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

From 67 327-350hp before my restoration




As you can almost see clearly:
Tag number reads 6457985
the date Apr18 (I think) is followed by 001

DonO

[Donald A.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Here's a backside cluster shot of my late September '66 BB.....cluster dated Sep 20 65

Mike

your LD label is very interesting to me. Can you elaborate on its meaning/designation? Thanks and see my picture. Yours is the first I have found with "LD"

[Joe R.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Hector,

Seems after looking at the picture of your cluster that it has been restored and someone has restamped the date on the back. Look at the other clusters shown in the pictures and the finish on the cluster is not the same along with the color of the lettering.
U15 in this case does not stand for Speed Warning as all those labels are green. Maybe someone has exchanged the original cluster in your 67 for another that has been restored.

JR

Just took a couple of photos of the date stamp on the back of my 67's instrument cluster. Won't go into the contortions I had to go through to get these photos. I've attached one. My car's production date is 4/28/67. Does anyone know what the U15 stands for? Thanks for your help.

[Hector G.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Hi Ray. just saw your reply. Interesting observations. I've had the car for a month now and have been carefully documenting all aspects of the car. I am myself skeptical in all matters including claims of originality. This car shows 15 K on the odometer. An article was written in 2004 about the previous owner and his car collection. He had the car for 20 years and by all accounts rarely ever drove it. According to his wife, who never drove in it, they just never had the time. The car appears in a photo in the newspaper article along with the owner. It is claimed in the article that the car has 15k. When I purchased the car, it had 14,993 miles. I have spent most of my time in the interior. The interior is truly remarkable. It has proven time and time again to be 100% original in every way except for the shifter boot and heater core, both which I replaced this past week. The heater core, without a doubt, had never been removed before. Remarkable that after almost 50 years, the heater core held up that long. I found three inspection stickers related to the heater core. Very neat stuff. I never found any of that on my 66 which had approximately 62k miles on it when I purchased it in 84. It was a thrill to find them on the 67.

During this period of careful restoration, I have taken a number of photos and documented numerous observations. As an example, It's fuse box still appears to have it's original colored fuses and original turn signal flasher with correct date. The area under the dash is immaculate. The insulation appears almost new, exept that age is beginning to take its toll. The instrument cluster appears untouched and does not appear to ever have been removed. The carpet, while faded, is also in remarkable shape. Everything in the interior appears to have the same age and patina. The instrument cluster is no exception. It appears to have the same wear and tear as the rest of the interior.

In regard to your comment, "Look at the other clusters shown in the pictures and the finish on the cluster is not the same along with the color of the lettering", I'm not sure I quite understand. When I look at a couple of the photos of finishes, at least one if not two look like mine. For instance, the finish on Stephen Lavigne's cluster looks identical to mine. I took his photo and placed it next to mine. Not only is the finish on his cluster remarkably similar, the color of the lettering and fonts appear to be the same taking into consideration that pressure on the stamp may cause slight distortions in the final product. I also found a very similar appearing stamp to mine in Dobbins' 63-67 Corvette book. My Edition is from 84. I think it is the 5th or 6th edition. In fact, it was after looking at Dobbins book and noting Wayne's comment in the post that I realized that it was most likely a 0 and not a U in my stamp. Granted, as we all know, lighting and other factors may play a role in how accurate color, texture and other characteristics appear.

Ray, I know you see many instrument clusters, so any help you may provide is greatly appreciated. If I've missed something, please let me know. Thanks again.

[Joe R.]

Re: Instrument cluster Date stamp

Hector,

That's an amazing story! Yes, I have restored several clusters, several with even lower mileage that your 67! I hope you allow the NCRS members of this thread to see and document your 67. Having a seminar with such a low mileage 67 would be a treat and allow members to actually see such a 1967 Corvette. Please keep us posted!

JR