C4 Hood Markings

[Robert M.]

I have a '96 LT4 vert w/17k mi (red/beige). All indications I have & as represented is that it is a 100% original, no-hit car. And it looks it. However, on the inside, passenger side of hood, towards the front the following is etched: "6-10-11." At least it sure looks like that. I would read that as a date, but maybe it means something else. My understanding is that factory techs frequently made etchings inside the hood to indicate it was a factory hood. In fact, my '95 ZR-1 has dissimilar markings on the left side that are verified as original factory.

Anyone know what this is about? Thx,
Rob

[Kenneth P.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Hoods were made just prior to assembly and the date was etched on the inside. Some on the passenger side and others on the driver side, which is where mine is. I wonder if they were still manufacturing these hoods as late as 2011. What is the build date your car and can you post a pic of the etching?

Here is a thread of a discussion we had on this topic.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...-code-etchings


Ken

[Pat F.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Robert, these etchings were made as Ken pointed out at the factory where the hood was made. They shifted from one side to another and then we could not find any markings on the real late C4's. I have met the individual who was in charge of making the hoods and he is on this network. I have a number of hood etchings and the changes in placement in a data base.

As Ken requested, could you post a photo of your hood etching with your VIN. If you do not want to put your VIN on this network, send me a PM.

Pat

[Robert M.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Thank you Ken & Pat, my build date was 5/30/96, so I was near the end of the run. The last 3 vin digits are 293. I will attempt to attach the pic. I have to tell you, though, it is remarkably like Pat's Grand Sport pic which shows 6-4-118. But there is definitely not a 3rd digit in the last sequence. Would be hard to believe they were still manufacturing these in 2011 as you point out.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Thank you Ken & Pat, my build date was 5/30/96, so I was near the end of the run. The last 3 vin digits are 293. I will attempt to attach the pic. I have to tell you, though, it is remarkably like Pat's Grand Sport pic which shows 6-4-118. But there is definitely not a 3rd digit in the last sequence. Would be hard to believe they were still manufacturing these in 2011 as you point out.

Ok here's how I've interpret this. 6 is for the year (1996) 4 is for the month (Apr) and 11 for the day (Fri). What looks like a 8 is most likely a B for the shift. I've seen this format before in other pics.

Ken

[Pat F.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Guys, what I have been told is that the 118 represents the 118 hood manufactured that year. I have additional information, mostly supplied by Rex Mallot, who is on this network. Rex was in charge of making these hoods. I had the pleasure of meeting him at one of Florida Regional Meets in the past and he was kind enough to discuss this issue at length.
If you want additional information to the placement and the approximate date of changing from one side of the hood to other, please PM me.

[Kenneth P.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Guys, what I have been told is that the 118 represents the 118 hood manufactured that year. I have additional information, mostly supplied by Rex Mallot, who is on this network. Rex was in charge of making these hoods. I had the pleasure of meeting him at one of Florida Regional Meets in the past and he was kind enough to discuss this issue at length.
If you want additional information to the placement and the approximate date of changing from one side of the hood to other, please PM me.

It's kind of hard to believe that they only made 118 hoods in 4 months assuming his car was built in May or maybe that was the 118 hood made in April of 96. In other words 6 was the year and 4 the month this was the 118 hood. I think we need more clarification on this dating format as my hood, for my 1990, had a month, day and year date along with the letter B which I was told was for the shift.

Ken

[Pat F.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Ken, good point. How about we look at 118 being the 118th hood made in June and the day was th 4th.

Would this make more sense?

[Kenneth P.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Ken, good point. How about we look at 118 being the 118th hood made in June and the day was th 4th.

Would this make more sense?

That would put the hood being manufacture after his build date which was 5/30/96. I still say the 6 is for 1996 and the 4 is the month April which would be the 118 hood made in April 1996. I remember from another thread that hoods were made a couple weeks in advance of the beginning build date of the car back in the early 90's. Also I believed they did change companies at least once during the C4 production.

Ken

[Kenneth P.]

Re: C4 Hood Markings

Ken, good point. How about we look at 118 being the 118th hood made in June and the day was th 4th.

Would this make more sense?

Pat

Don't know what happen to Dave Perry post but I went back and read the threads on the link I posted and you would be correct in that it was June 4th as per Rex posting. Now my build date on the tank sticker is 12-14-89 and my hood has 12-10-89B which I assume now the 89 is not the year but the 89th hood made on Dec 10th. I know date codes were in different formats depending on the manufacture and where and during what time period the car was built. It's a bitch getting old trying to remember all this stuff LOL.

Anyways I stand corrected.

Ken