Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

[John G.]

The stamped trim code on my numbers matching 71 coupe shows 420 which is for a saddle colored interior with leather. I am restoring the car and want to be correct but the existing interior is actually green and is in completely shot condition which leads me to believe that it came that way from the factory. With this apparant discrepancy and my desire to keep the car correct should I put a new green or new saddle colored interior in the car?

[Edward J.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

John,do you have anthing else to document the cars interior color, tank sticker,window sticker, bill of sale,etc.

Do you belong to a chapter? maybe someone from a chapter can inspect the trim tag and interior to find out whats up with the difference between the two, maybe someone changed the interior early on in the cars life, but seems like a costly process.

Maybe someone else hass seen this before.

[Rick S.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

John,
As Ed has mentioned, do you have any other documents that indicates the interior color? If not and you can have the trim tag inspected to verify its authenticity, I would go with what the trim tag says. With that being said, typo trim tags do exist as I have a typo trim tag on my 67. The exterior color is off by one digit but I have other documents (Build sheet and POP) as well as a letter from the original owner (with period correct photos) to back up the typo claim.
Rick

[Terry M.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

If you remove the seat upholstery, if it is original, there is a manufacturer's logo and date code on the back of the seat material. Check it out.

[Reba W.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

Also date code on back of door panels.

[Rick S.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

Just remember that a date code would make it period correct not necessarily color correct.
Rick

[Harmon C.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

You have probably checked to see if the date on the trim tag is in line with your car's VIN. If not this is a good place to start.

[Mark R.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

Terry and Reba:

Thanks for sharing the information on the logo and date code to be found on the back side of the seat and door panel. This is new information to me and I really appreciate it.

Mark

[Terry M.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

As Rick has suggested, those dates will not prove the originality of the interior pieces, but may prove they are not original to your car or may prove good clues to the possibility of their originality. Lyle's point about checking the date on the trim tag is also a good one. If the trim tag was changed in the car's previous life, the date code on the trim tag may not be appropriate to the VIN of the car.

If you can't read that date, post your VIN and the letter and two numbers following the word CHEVROLET on the trim tag and we will help you de-code all that.

[John G.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

Thanks for all the input. There is a stamp on the back of one of the old green door panels that says March 16, 71. I didn't see any logo on the back of the seat materials other than "3974092" stamped in small letters on the inside of the back of the seat panel.

To the right of the word "Chevrolet" on the trim code plate is "G13" and as mentioned before the trim code is 420 and the paint code is 983. The Vin # is: 194371S109738.

There is an aluminum tag connected to the old green seats that has two sets of numbers stamped onto it: LSIM 1021 and 3974001. This is pretty much all I have to work with. How does one authenticate a trim tag?

[Terry M.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

The G13 = February 13, 1971 is the day the trim tag was installed on the car. That was a Saturday, so it is likely the car exited the assembly line Monday or Tuesday (2/15 or 16). Thus the March 16 date on the door panel is after your car would have been assembled. It is unlikely the car could have received door panels made a month after it was built at St. Louis.

My guess would be that an earlier owner traded interiors with someone, or got the green interior from another Corvette.

There is a whole book on trim tag authentication, but it is geared toward mid-year Corvettes. The principles in the book also apply to C3 Corvettes, but I would suggest that is not necessary in your case. The date on your trim tag is consistent with the serial number of your Corvette, so it is unlikely the trim tag has been changed. As I suggested above the original saddle interior went away and was replaced with the green parts. A lot of work, but if the two cars were side by side not such a big deal.

[George C.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

John, It's possible that the interior was switched at the original selling dealer. Something to consider. Save the Wave.

[Tom H.]

Re: Interior Trim Code Discrepancy

John, It's possible that the interior was switched at the original selling dealer. Something to consider. Save the Wave.

My thoughts exactly !!!