72 Corvette Order Copy

[Edward J.]

What Does The Order No Reference To On The Order Copy?

[Tom H.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

I always assumed it was the dealer order number. Is this wrong ??

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

It's the GM order number...the dealer order numbers would be meaningless once the order got to the plant. If it was like it is now, the order number wasn't assigned until after the order was received and processed by GM.

The C6s still have an order number on the build sheet; around 2006 it was a combination of five alpha characters plus one trailing numeral. I don't know what they are now.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

My 2008 was all letters. I thought it ironic it was called an order number, but there were no numbers in it.

[Tom H.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

It's the GM order number...the dealer order numbers would be meaningless once the order got to the plant. If it was like it is now, the order number wasn't assigned until after the order was received and processed by GM.

The C6s still have an order number on the build sheet; around 2006 it was a combination of five alpha characters plus one trailing numeral. I don't know what they are now.

I get an order number as soon as I enter a car into the GM system. They do consist of letters now. That is the same order number that appears on the invoice and window sticker when the car arrives from BG.

What would the difference have been from the GM order number and the dealer order number in 72 ? Just asking.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

Tom , I Dont Have My Sheet In Front OF Me But I Believe The It Goes Like This (1rs245) The Number One May Be The Letter (i)

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

I get an order number as soon as I enter a car into the GM system. They do consist of letters now. That is the same order number that appears on the invoice and window sticker when the car arrives from BG.

What would the difference have been from the GM order number and the dealer order number in 72 ? Just asking.

The difference in how fast a dealer gets an order number now, compared to then is...computers. There's a name for GM's computer based order system that seems to have slipped away from me, but I'm sure you know the details.

With computers, it's possible to catalog an incoming order, and assign an order number instantly. In the old days, that processing would have been done with clerical staff. I suppose a dealer could have telephoned an order and received an order number the same day; But, back in the old days, I'm not sure if there was an allocation system like now, and if they had one day of the week that orders could be placed to lock allocation (Tuesday wee hours), or to lose allocation if no order is placed by a certain time.

I suppose it's semantics as to whether it's the dealer's order number or GM's order number. In fact, I guess it is both...It is an order number out of GM's system given TO the dealer. But, as the paying customer, I always preferred to think of it as MY order number.

I originally interpreted your post as meaning an order number from the dealer's local record keeping system, much like a stock number, which is probably not what you intended. My apology, Tom.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

My 2008 was all letters. I thought it ironic it was called an order number, but there were no numbers in it.

Reading from the old build sheet on the wall here, my order number was JKFZK1. Over the months, the letters gradually went up the alphabet starting from the right. I'm not sure about the "1"; it probably meant it was "Job #1"...a special car for a special person. (Hmmppff..hahaha)

[Tom H.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

I originally interpreted your post as meaning an order number from the dealer's local record keeping system, much like a stock number, which is probably not what you intended. My apology, Tom.

No problem, Chuck:

Didn't the dealer orders used to go in by mail. Possibly the order number was on the form and the dealer retained a carbon copy. That number became the order for the car. GM and dealer used the same order number to identify a car ???

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

Mine was MBFPVW in mid-October 2007. I am sure there is some code in there, but who knows what it is?

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

Terry,Chuck, my order is IFS246 on my 72, with a april 21 build date,the number 246 is almost like a julian date for my car 2=72,4=apr.,6=day hmmmm?

[Chuck S.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

No problem, Chuck:

Didn't the dealer orders used to go in by mail. Possibly the order number was on the form and the dealer retained a carbon copy. That number became the order for the car. GM and dealer used the same order number to identify a car ???

I can't answer that question, Tom.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get the order number back by mail after a week or two. Issuing stocks of order forms to dealers with sequential numbers to serve as order numbers would have been tricky IMO. Forms would be misplaced or destroyed by dealers, causing GM's production order system to be in disarray; not a good way to run a factory. (For Example: "Hmmm...What happened to everything between #249384 and #251939????" ).

I wish I had some original purchaser experience with the old cars. Maybe John Hinckley or one of our original owners has the answer.

[John H.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

Maybe John Hinckley or one of our original owners has the answer.

In those days, the dealer order number was pre-printed on the dealer's order form pads; he filled out the multi-copy form, sent it to the Zone, they edited the order, sent it to the Processing Center, and from there it went to the plant. That number followed the car all the way through the scheduling and production systems, and was printed at the bottom of the Car Shipper.

That's why there's no rhyme or reason or sequence to dealer order numbers on cars produced the same day; the order number came off a printed pad, not a computer.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

John, In 50 years the paper and pen will be a thing of the past. with computers doing more for us everyday , who would have ever thought?

Thanks for you response.

[Scott S.]

Re: 72 Corvette Order Copy

In those days, the dealer order number was pre-printed on the dealer's order form pads; he filled out the multi-copy form, sent it to the Zone, they edited the order, sent it to the Processing Center, and from there it went to the plant. That number followed the car all the way through the scheduling and production systems, and was printed at the bottom of the Car Shipper.

That's why there's no rhyme or reason or sequence to dealer order numbers on cars produced the same day; the order number came off a printed pad, not a computer.

Hi John,

Does the "Order Number" on a tank sticker from back then (in my case, '67 coupe) tell us anything useful, or will it help in looking up any information about the car?