63 window sticker

[John A.]

Does anyone know if the blue stamped numbers (serial number) on the window sticker varied in font type,and color or were they the (stick type) numbers depicted in the Adams restoration book? I got a look at copy of a window sticker today that is purportedly "original" and the stamped serial numbers were more like the 67 window sticker in Noland Adams book, Did the window stickers in 63 use both types of fonts? Additinally the stamped (serial number) on the "original sticker were very dark blue or black.
Is this typical?
Thanks, John

[Bill O.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

This may be some help. The 1st and 2nd picture are excerpted from an older article in The Corvette Restorer written by Curt Clifford and represented as '63 (I found it on my '61-'62 edition of the CDR) His discussion went up to '67 ...I think.

The 3rd is what is left of my '62 sticker (early '62) for comparison, found many years ago under the seat by a prior owner.

[John A.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Bill,
Thanks for the feedback. It looks like both the 62 and 63 stickers you provided have the fonts as illustrated in Noland Adams 63-67 restoration guide, and are exactly like what I would have expected to see. However if you look into the restoration guide you will see 2 stickers one a 63, and one a 67. The 67 number font is remarkably different.
The reason I bring this up is that a 63 sticker I have seen has the font like the 67 sticker, not like the 62 and 63 number fonts as depicted on your samples. Based on the document you included with the 2 samples it would appear tht the 63 sticker I have seen may be a repro.

[Bill O.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

Most likely.

But the author of the article did note another exception. He reported from his observation of early/late production cars/stickers that he concluded the window stickers for the 1st 1,000 or so new model year cars from '64 through '67 had St. Louis per-printed VINs in their entirety, w/o the last 6 digits stamped. He speculated this could have happened as early as 1963 but had no examples. From your description, this seems not germane to the situation you reference.

Bill

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

Ment to respond to you earlier, but had to leave for an appointment - then forgot. Sorry. My original looks like the one partial posted for the 62 as to the font and the stamped six digits. However, my six digits were in black stamp pad ink, not blue. I sent a photo copy to Triple A to have them make a reproduction which I use on the car now. It came out almost identical, except perhaps a little sharper and clearer. Can't speak to later years or comparisons, only what I have.

Stu Fox

[John A.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Bill,
Right!
I am not concerned with the preprinted form itself, but with the stamped serial numbers ( car serial number) that were stamped onto the sticker at a later date. I don't think that the factory would go about randomly exchanging fonts in the serialized window sticker stamping machine. This would lead me to believe that all of the 62/63s should have the same numerical fonts.
I'm not an expert but it doesn't make sense otherwise.
Your guess is as good as mine.

[John A.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Stu,
So far everyone is in agreement that the typical stamped serial numbers were as on the document that Bill attached to his email. I'm trying to find someone who has one with the other type (more like the 67 numerals), but on a 63 sticker.
Is there an expert I can contact on this...maybe Al Grenning?

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

Don't know if I mentioned it in this thread, but mine is a July 9 build, s/n #19,147. Picked it up in August near the end of 63 production.

Stu Fox

[John A.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Stu,
Are you the original owner? If so were you always in Florida? The reason I ask is that my 63 came from Gainesville (University Chevrolet) delivered in early May.
John

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

Yes, I am the original owner, but I'm also an original Wisconsin boy and the car was delivered in Jefferson, WI. Got smart and left there after returning from SEA in 1972, then tried Illinois for 32 years until I retired and decided I wanted to be able to drive my car more in my waining years. But then, having my only two sons and grandchildren here made the move all that more practical.

Sorry I can't say I know Gainsville as yet. I keep expanding my envelope and plan to get up as far as Ocala next month for the Drag Racing Hall of Fame Banquet at the Don Garlet's Museum.

Stu Fox

[John A.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Stu,
I understand!!!
I keep trying to move South, from Chicago, but we want to stay close to the grandkids as well.
Stuck here in the snow.
At least you can drive your car year round.
John

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 window sticker

John;

Ah yes, Chicago. We lived in the suburbs for some 32 years - Clarendon Hills for 2 years, then Hinsdale for 27 years, and finally Aurora before moving south. I got pleasure out of pitching my snow shovels and selling my snow blower. We still visit 3 or 4 times a year so we keep some warm clothes on hand. I come up for the ChevyVetteFests and some times the B.G show at Pheasant Run. The wife has many more friends up there and still does volunteer work with them. Our sons are Pilots with JetBlue so our flights are free (long but cheap via JFK). If not, doubt if I'd go back there much. The only thing I miss is good medical care - at North Western Hospital. They have tried to kill me twice down here in Orlando and one day they may succeed. My Spanish is lacking.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: 63 window sticker

Bill,
Right!
I am not concerned with the preprinted form itself, but with the stamped serial numbers ( car serial number) that were stamped onto the sticker at a later date. I don't think that the factory would go about randomly exchanging fonts in the serialized window sticker stamping machine. This would lead me to believe that all of the 62/63s should have the same numerical fonts.
I'm not an expert but it doesn't make sense otherwise.
Your guess is as good as mine.

John -

The VIN was applied to the window sticker with a manually-indexed rubber stamp, as the sticker itself (and the rest of the paperwork like the Corvette Order, Car Shipper, etc.) were computer-printed long before the car was built, before the car had a VIN assigned. The paperwork was VIN-stamped by a clerk in the Broadcast Booth at the end of the line (who also created the P-O-P during the years it was in use); he also manually typed the VIN, production date, key numbers, carburetor code, and the engine, transmission, and axle numbers on Copy #7 of the Corvette Order that went with the car to the dealer.

I'm sure they had more than one rubber stamp, and more than one ink pad for them; they wouldn't stop the line because the stamp broke or an ink pad went dry.