Rocker panel date code

[Kenneth P.]

I pulled off my rocker panels the other day and found a sticker with what looks like a julian date. Both panels had the same sticker with 89 345 which would be Dec 11. 1989. My build sheet in box 5-6 show a date of 89/348 which would be Dec 14, 1989. I know the date in box 5-6 has been debated. We had a discussion last month about hood dates. Mine has a date of 12/10/89 etched in it. I'm starting to wonder if in fact the date on the build sheet is the actual start of the assembly. Any thoughts on this?

Here are picks of the tag and my build sheet.
20160129_061745.jpgbuild-sheet-date.jpg

[Pat F.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Ken, on my build sheet the date you refer to as 89/348 is reflected as 7/20/94 on my build sheet. According to other information I have received is that the build date for my 1995 was 8/4/94. Is it possible that the dates shown on the upper right hand corner of the build sheet reflect the date of the initial inception for the Corvette. This document shows the assembly line worker what specific part goes on the Corvette coming down the line.

Your sticker on the rocker panel is a first for me (that doesn't mean much) and now when I get back up to the snowy north I will look at mine.

I know I have parts on my 95 that are after 7/20/94.

Thanks for the information.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Pat

You build sheet is a lot different then the one for my 90. As for the sticker this is a first for me. Is it a coincident that this sticker looks like a lot like a date code? It sure puts it in the same ball park as the other dates I have found so far. I find it interesting that no ones has yet been able to fully decipher these build sheets. At least I haven't found any true breakdown of all the boxes and what the codes mean. Yes some of them are self explanatory but there are others that I have no idea.

I'll keep working at it. Thanks for the reply.

20150824_191019.jpg

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Pat

The more I think about it (which is dangerous) I'm coming to the conclusion that the date on the build sheet is the beginning of assembly or shortly there after. If memory serves me did they say that the hoods were made to order. I don't see them making a hood and storing it for over a month before the assembly began.

Ken

[Ken R.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

We ordered a 95 on 11-1-94. Our build sheet date is 12-1-94. We saw the car start on the trim line on 12-8-94. Engine assembly date is 12-6-94. Engine started on line with engraved VIN on 12-9-94. That is the date of vehicle assembly by GM, 12-9. So I think the build sheet date is probably when the build order was accepted by BG for assembly or such. Ken

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Great info Ken. You don't know the debates we had at the car shows over the date on the build sheet. So the date on the build sheet would be when the order came out at BG to begin the process. Even though the date on my door sticker is 1/90 my car was actually built during the last week or two of December 89. I wonder if they shut the plant down between xmas and new years? Thanks again for this first hand information.

Ken

[Ken R.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Yes plant shuts down for 2 weeks at Christmas. Depending on its position on the line at shutdown, time can be affected on the sticker.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

That would make perfect sense as to why my door sticker has 1/90 but my build sheet has 12/14/89. So my car barely got started, if at all, and then the plant shuts down for two weeks for the holidays. Thanks again.

Ken

[Pat M.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

I don't recall seeing such a sticker on my 96's rocker panels, but on my passenger side "gill" panel right behind the front wheel there are two similar price-tag-type stickers, one is painted over in body color, the other shows "9605303", without spacing.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Interesting. What the date on your build sheet?

[Pat M.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Interesting. What the date on your build sheet?

Sheet lists 5/23/96

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Sheet lists 5/23/96

Ok I've seen dates like this elsewhere so this would be May 30, 1996. It would break down to 96-year, 05-month, 30-day and 3 would be the 3rd shift. 5/23/96 and 5/30/96 are 1 week apart. So given that the actual build starts with in a week of the date on the sheet this would be about right.

Ken

[Pat M.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

Ok I've seen dates like this elsewhere so this would be May 30, 1996. It would break down to 96-year, 05-month, 30-day and 3 would be the 3rd shift. 5/23/96 and 5/30/96 are 1 week apart. So given that the actual build starts with in a week of the date on the sheet this would be about right.

Ken

Sounds reasonable, although I'm a little surprised the part would post-date the build date, although, as you say, they're really close. interesting, thanks.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: Rocker panel date code

We kind of figure out that the date on the build sheet is when it comes out to the plant floor. The actual build may not start for a few days to a week later. In the case of my car the build sheet show 12/14/89 but the plant shuts down for 2 weeks around the holiday which I figure it sat on the line and was finished in the new year which why my door sticker has a 1/90 date otherwise it would have a 12/89 date. Also you figure these parts come in as the car moves down the line. Some of this I would say is fact and some just make common sense.