Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

[Richard B.]

Hello all,

I am trying to get an idea of the build date of a 1977 I just purchased. The car was repainted a few years ago, and while the previous owner did cover the data sheet on the door with tape before painting, when he removed the tape, it took the build month and year year with it. There is probably another place on the car with this information, but I don't see it at this point in time.

In looking through online sites for parts, there appears to have been an Early model and Late model produced which, of course, impacts some of the parts I need for the car (such as the heater blower motor).

The VIN sequence number is 17,810 out of 49,213 produced, which puts it close to the middle of production - I can see it going either way as Early or Late production.

Thanks very much for your time.

Rick Barton
Paradise, CA.

[Keith B.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

October 12, 1976

[Alan S.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Hi Richard,
FIRST post!!!! Welcome!
My understanding of the "early/late" situation is that it doesn't so much depend on JUST when the car was built, but also when during production the part in question was changed. For example; a part could have been changed after only a few weeks of production so only a few cars would be 'early', (before the change), and many would be 'late', (after the change). In the same way if a part changed near the end of production, many cars would be 'early' and only a few would be 'late'. So it's possible for a car to have both 'early' and 'late' parts if you want to refer to the changes that way.
Often in the TIM & JG if the date of the change has been determined, then the approximate serial number range for the the change is given based on observed cars.
Regards,
Alan

[Michael W.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Rick-

C3 guys have got it easy- the build date is on the metal trim tag attached to the drivers side door pillar post. It will be a single letter followed by two digits, A26 for example. A would be for the first month of production which was August for the '77s and the 26 would be the 26th of that month. Yours might be F03 for January 3rd 1977. The actual completion date is a day or two later.

It is a big mistake to use this date to define 'early' or 'late' when it comes to component change-overs. These individual changes happened irregularly throughout the production year- as early as the first month of production and sometimes just days or weeks before the end of production the following year and not neccessarily as a large group that all occurred on the same date.

[Richard B.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Thanks very much Keith, Alan and Michael! And wow, an actual date! I expect our friend and nemesis Murphy will play a big role when I order a part that could go either way, I am very good about picking the wrong one! It does have a metal trim tag on the door post that has the Paint and Trim codes.

This is my second Corvette, I also have a '92 that has 57.200 miles on it now. I'm the second owner, and I love driving it, but unfortunately it will have to be sold as there is no more room at the inn, since my wife refuses to sell her car and walk to work.

Again, thanks very much!

Rick Barton

[David H.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

As yours is a 1977 (77 and later), the original dealer shipper document with RPO codes, delivery information, etc is available from the GM Archives at:

http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/

The cost is $50 (I got mine several years ago when they were gratis).

[Michael D.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

As yours is a 1977 (77 and later), the original dealer shipper document with RPO codes, delivery information, etc is available from the GM Archives at: http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/ The cost is $50 (I got mine several years ago when they were gratis).

The Allied-Vaughn folks are often very helpful, but be aware they may or may not have your VIN in their records. If they do not have your VIN, they will not charge you.

[Michael W.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

It does have a metal trim tag on the door post that has the Paint and Trim codes.

Rick-

For interests sake, could you tell us the trim tag date in the upper right corner. Is it F03?

[Michael D.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Rick-For interests sake, could you tell us the trim tag date in the upper right corner. Is it F03?

F04 gets my bet. Tuesday.

[Richard B.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Hi Michael, I will post the data from the trim tag, but will have to wait until Friday as I am out of town until then. (I hate this whole working for a living thing.)

Thanks to you and David and Michael Ward for more info.

Rick

[Richard B.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Hi Michael,

The trim tag date is F04.

Thanks again for your help and input!

Rick Barton

[Michael W.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

So January 4th 1977 is the date. Probably Jan 5th is the car completion date.

[Richard B.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

Thanks again to everyone who wrote and gave me information. The date code on the trim is F04, so a build date of January 4, 1977.

Rick Barton

[Tom R.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

And just so Rick is clear...

Thanks again to everyone who wrote and gave me information. The date code on the trim is F04, so a build date of January 4, 1977.

Trim tag date code is when the metal plate was installed which in 1977 was between the first and second paint booth. So body assembly was completed, first coat of paint applied and baked. Chassis was under assembly the other side of the factory.

So January 4th 1977 is the date. Probably Jan 5th is the car completion date.

Michael's reference to "car completion date" was another day or two after the trim tag date and represents the point at which it was rolling out the factory door to a dealer destination.

[David H.]

Re: Looking for build date, 1977 Corvette

On my 1980, Trim Tag date 1 April. The dealer invoice (shipper) document shows it shipped 2 April.