69 gas tank and order copy

[E S.]

Hi- Here is the tank and order copy from my 69-
My question: Exactly how is the order copy connected to the car? (no vin# on order copy)
Something to do with the 3 "penciled in" numbers, but what? This one also has two numbers(16) penciled in just before
Corvette Order Copy.
Thanks-E.J.IMG_20200928_174338546.jpgIMG_20200928_174357180.jpgIMG_20200928_174504138.jpgIMG_20200928_174537714.jpg

[E S.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

couple more pics-IMG_20200928_174425135.jpgIMG_20200928_174907500.jpgIMG_20200928_174733621.jpgIMG_20200928_174743784.jpg

[Stephen L.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

The order copy "tank sticker" was generated by GM when the multi-page pre-numbered dealer order came into the offices, way before the car was built. The VIN# had NOT been assigned at that point, but the dealer purchase order number was recorded on this document. An IDENT No. was also assigned, (located in the upper left corner) which was in numerical order.

After the car was completed a second document that looks like a "tank Sticker" was issued with additional information including the VIN#, key codes, transmission number and differential number etc.. This document was sent to the dealer as his record for warranty purposes..... see attachment.
Corvette Order Page 7.

The Ident# also appeared on the sales window sticker glued onto the window. This number tied the original dealer order to the actual vehicle as it appeared on the dealer lot when delivered.

[E S.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

Stephen-Thank you for the info.-Very informative- I suppose same procedure for 69?

[Stephen L.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

The "tank sticker" is the same so I can only assume the remainder is the same...... Obviously the pre-printed order will change as options etc. changed......

[Mike E.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

Good information! One question; did each dealer get a certain number of order forms? In other words, how was that red number on the dealer order form generated? I know that by 1970 (and probably before) the order number was 3 letters followed by 3 numbers.

The order copy "tank sticker" was generated by GM when the multi-page pre-numbered dealer order came into the offices, way before the car was built. The VIN# had NOT been assigned at that point, but the dealer purchase order number was recorded on this document. An IDENT No. was also assigned, (located in the upper left corner) which was in numerical order.

After the car was completed a second document that looks like a "tank Sticker" was issued with additional information including the VIN#, key codes, transmission number and differential number etc.. This document was sent to the dealer as his record for warranty purposes..... see attachment.
Corvette Order Page 7.

The Ident# also appeared on the sales window sticker glued onto the window. This number tied the original dealer order to the actual vehicle as it appeared on the dealer lot when delivered.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

My take on this.... I worked for a major company which used a similiar P.O. system of pre-printed multipage forms. A stock of these were made available to those that purchased various items.

Based on this approach, I believe each dealer requested an amount of these from GM, probably based on previous Corvette sales. If they sold more, they made a request for additional forms......

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 gas tank and order copy

Good information! One question; did each dealer get a certain number of order forms? In other words, how was that red number on the dealer order form generated? I know that by 1970 (and probably before) the order number was 3 letters followed by 3 numbers.

Mike------


The 6 character alpha-numeric order number was used at least as far back as 1969. This series appears on all documents related to the car.

Dealers were allotted so many Corvette orders based upon a variety of factors. Their allotment was controlled by the number of order sheets they were issued. So, the dealers did not want any of these sheets to be "messed up" by customers of front line sales personnel. Consequently, retail customers placing orders for Corvettes rarely even saw the actual order form. They saw either a facsimile of it or the salesman simply hand-wrote the way they wanted the car equipped. The actual order form was filled out in the "back room" by the sales manager or other personnel carefully instructed to do it properly. The order forms, themselves were a carbon copy multiset with each of the sheets having a specific recipient. The customer was DEFINITELY not one of the recipients. I remember well that I asked for a copy of mine but was never provided one.

At least here in California, during the many years that Corvettes were in high demand, some dealers would not even order Corvettes to customer's specifications. In those cases all Corvettes were ordered for "stock" to be placed on the showroom floor. Those dealers could sell all the Corvettes they could get this way. The dealers did not want to risk ordering a car to a customer's specifications that they felt would be harder to sell if the buyer backed out of the deal.