Tank sticker

[Dave B.]

I've read on this forum that the written numbers on a tank sticker represent the last three of the VIN minus 500. These may seam like strange questions but why minus 500? Why not just write the VIN last 3? And what did they do on the first 500 cars, write a negative number? Also the first 500 of the next thousand and so on? Just curious.

[David H.]

Re: Tank sticker

I've read on this forum that the written numbers on a tank sticker represent the last three of the VIN minus 500. These may seam like strange questions but why minus 500? Why not just write the VIN last 3? And what did they do on the first 500 cars, write a negative number? Also the first 500 of the next thousand and so on? Just curious.

Dave

No relationship between sequence number and VIN.

That 3 digit number repeating after 500 was to ensure line workers loaded proper parts during build.

I'v seen a VERY low mile C4 ZR-1 - never been washed - that had those sequence numbers on inside of wheels.

Again, no relationship to VIN.

Dave

[Owen L.]

Re: Tank sticker

Dave

No relationship between sequence number and VIN.

I've read this before and suppose I should consider my two cars remarkable in that the sequence is one digit away for my '67 but exact for my '72.1967 Tank Sheet.jpg1967 POP Info Protection Booklet.jpg1972 Tank Sheet p1.jpg1972 POP Warranty Booklet.jpg

[Larry M.]

Re: Tank sticker

There is a relationship between the handwritten numbers on the C2 tank sticker (perhaps C3 as well) and the VIN. But it is not perfectly straightforward, and has a few nuances.

This has been brought up before, so it is likely it is in the archives here or at CF. If needed, I can explain it to the OP. He can let me know, and I can call him or he can call me. I am tired of writing this down after numerous inquiries over the years.

I can still remember discussing this with my 67 Team Leader at a Louisiana Regional about 15 years ago.

Larry

[Harry S.]

Re: Tank sticker

At first Glance mathematically it works. But

If VIN 001 was job number 001, then
VIN 501 is job number 001, then
VIN 1001 is job number 001

But cars on the line did get swapped around and the Vin and Job number went side ways.

Saying that, I'll agree with David

[Mike E.]

Re: Tank sticker

And then there is one like this:
Build sheet (2).jpgBuild sheet (4).jpg

[James G.]

Re: Tank sticker

My 71 VIN#21783 has 283 written in the middle and 359 at the top.
100_1344.jpg

[John S.]

E1C13643-4B60-48DE-85CF-FA049F6F1924.jpg

[Tom R.]

Re: Tank sticker

My ‘73 VIN #409909 with 909 written on the Buildsheet.

Remember now that the first tank stickers were copies of the Corvette Order Copy (portrait style) and were discontinued with the 1973 model year. At which time the St Louis Assembly Plant introduced the GMAD manifest (landscape style) and a copy of it was used as the tank sticker...as shown by John above. He wrote:

I've read on this forum that the written numbers on a tank sticker represent the last three of the VIN minus 500.

As well, the job number range increased from the early C2 years through early C3 and, at some point (at least by 1973), the numbers increased to 1000. By 1982, the body shop was going up to 2000...so don't get hung up on the 1 - 500 sequence...Corvette assembly was not static and not all future Corvette generations were built as they were in the 1960s.

[Bill B.]

Re: Tank sticker

Just to join in on the fun:

VIN is 15552. "425" is also written in chalk in several places on the body.

Indeed, the "52" in the middle of the sheet is the last two digits of my VIN.

15552buildsheet.jpg

BTW - I was one of the lucky ones to find this wedged in-between the Speedo & Tach. My Tank Sticker was just about disintegrated from a leaky filler neck gasket.

[Michael J.]

Re: Tank sticker

My '67 has the 3 digits on the tank sticker, and the 3 digits on the lower body chalk marks that match the last 3 digits of the VIN.

[Harry S.]

Re: Tank sticker

April 63, last 3 of VIN 356 Job number 397.

[Mark F.]

job numbers and VINs, but it also seems unlikely that line workers would know what they were. The run sheets told the line workers what chalk marks to use. I would imagine only Supervisors, Foremen, or Managers were handwriting things (and/or striking out things) on various copies of the Order Form (aka Tank Stickers or Broadcast Copies).

As for C2 VINs, once the last 3 digits in the VIN got to be >500, the handwritten job numberJohn Hinckley and Noland Adams:C2 Assembly Process Part 1job numbers and VINs job number starts appearing as early as Step 1 in the Body Shop (BS)https://www.forums.ncrs.org/attachme...3&d=1499375207

Body Shop Steps 2 (Underbody) and 4 (Subassemblies) also refer to the job number.
The last mention of the job number is Step 15 in the Paint Shop (40+ assembly stations after the Birdcage).

The first mention of the VIN is at Step 1 of the Hard Trim Line (HTL) (~56 assembly stations after the Birdcage).
Meanwhile at Step 2 on the Engine Dress Line (EDL) the VIN gets stamped to the engine pad and transmission. The EDL ran separately from the BS, PS and HT Lines and fed into the Chassis Line at the engine drop station.
The last mentions of the VIN are at Steps 46 and 47 of the Final Line (FL)Body Shop (BS):
BS-1 Birdcage assigned job number per run sheet and assembled in several subassembly fixtures and complex main steel welding fixture (including N14 sill notching and rocker molding bracket delete), spray washed and rinsed, zinc chromate-primed, job number applied, joints sealed, bonding strip holes drilled and strips attached with over 100 pop-rivets for roof, cowl, and front surround.

BS-2 Underbody job number assigned from run sheet and applied, bracket/reinforcement riveting for seat mounts, luggage stop panel, seat belt reinforcements, shifter hole reinforcement, console brackets, power window cup brackets, body mount bolt reinforcements, parking brake lever brackets, jack retainers, shoulder belt reinforcements, N03 brackets/holes/side filler panels/inner wheelhouse patch panels/jack brackets/rear bulkhead rework, convertible rear bulkhead rework and top frame brackets, quarter trim panel brackets, deck lid latch strikers, console screw brackets, tunnel heat insulator retainers, splash pan brackets, etc. Nearly 200 parts and rivets required.

BS-4 Subassemblies were built-up in off-line bonding fixtures, each assembly identified with its Job number from the run sheet

Paint Shop (PS):
PS-15 Job numberHard Trim Line (HTL):
HTL-1 VIN plate and trim tag created and affixed (only the VIN plate was attached on A.O. Smith bodies because the Trim Plate was attached in Ionia MI where AOS bodies were made). Car data sent electronically to teletype printers throughout the plant, creating the Broadcast Copy the car was built from.

Engine Dress Line (EDL):
EDL-2 Lube and install throwout bearing, install manual transmission to bellhousing. For Powerglide, remove converter shipping strap, install transmission case to block, apply air-powered dummy starter tool to rotate flexplate and drive converter bolts, and install inspection cover. Match gang-stamp holder dies to VIN on broadcast and stamp engine and transmission VIN derivatives.

Final Line (FL):
FL-46 Rubber-stamp last six digits of VIN on computer pre-printed price sticker, apply water-based mucilage adhesive, and affix to side glass.
FL-47 Type engine, transmission, axle, key, VIN, and production date numbers on computer pre-printed copy #7 of Corvette Order and place in glove compartment with Car Shipper copy.

Tank Sticker - Option codes only.jpg

[Larry M.]

Re: Job Numbers and VINs in the Assembly Process

Mark:

When was your car built?? There were a few periods during August 66 to July 67 where the tank sticker handwritten number and the VIN of the car got off sequence by more than 1 or 2. You are obviously in that category. Is your car a very late build car??

Larry

[Mark F.]

Re: Job Numbers and VINs in the Assembly Process

Mark: When was your car built?? There were a few periods during August 66 to July 67 where the tank sticker handwritten number and the VIN of the car got off sequence by more than 1 or 2. You are obviously in that category. Is your car a very late build car?? Larry

Yes sir indeed, Larry

Mine was in the last 8 or 9 production days of the '67 (and midyear) build.

My Body Build Date is K28 (June 28th 1967).

I don't have a shipping report, but I'm guessing it rolled off the line that same day - or maybe June 29th(?)

What intel do you have regarding that period at St. Louis?
And do you have an explanation regarding how the paired sequences were disrupted?