A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

[Fred S.]

Has anyone seen a document like this before? Thanks, Fred S.

[Michael J.]

Re: A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

This is very unique, never seen anything like it before. I do wonder why it would have been left in a car.

[Fred S.]

Re: A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

Not sure where it was found in the car by the previous owner(s)...it appears to have been folded and rolled up and has no water damage so I suspect it was not in the frame....the last owner is no longer around but perhaps I should call the original purchaser.....

[Tom R.]

Re: A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

This is very unique, never seen anything like it before. I do wonder why it would have been left in a car.

I agree...quite unique. But if you think about it, 168 other owners had a chance at the document stuffed into their frame, which is where it was probably found.

What makes it unique is that we have visible evidence of our notion of the frame assembly suffix...or lot number. Many have wondered what that second set of numbers means. This documents tells us that the 304 lot number for frame assembly xxxxxx 168 frames were made by A.O. and shipped. It also shows many other frame assemblies that the frame factory was responsible for building.

But if you think about 168 is not very many. Back then, BG was probably assembling 100 Corvettes a day.

[Fred S.]

Re: A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

Tom, good estimate....for the month of Sept. '81 there were 1871 vettes made at BG....so skipping weekends that amounts to approx. 85 cars/day....that was pretty much the average for the 22 weeks at BG (June thru Oct.)

[Michael J.]

Re: A.O. Smith 1981 Frame Document

It would have been a very random occurrence for that to be left in a car, but I would be very interested in where it was found in the car. I have seen several odd, random items in mine, including an inspection card stuck between the bumper support and the rear facia with scribbled initials for the energy impact bumper.