'78 build date code

[Tory S.]

I just came across a '78 with only 6k miles and took photos of its markings. The build date on the trim take was I10. Can anyone tell me what month I was in '78? 417 was written in green marker on one headlight bezel and 4-19 written with red marker on the other.

Thanks,
Tory

[Tom H.]

Re: '78 build date code

April !

[Tory S.]

Re: '78 build date code

Mmmm. If I10 is the build date and that translated to April 10th, then it's odd to have 4-19 on the bottom of the headlight bezel.IMG_9412.jpgIMG_9401.jpg

[David H.]

Re: '78 build date code

"I" is May for 1978. (page 164 of the 1968-1982 Specifications Guide)

[Tory S.]

Re: '78 build date code

Mmmm, again. If the build date is now May 10, but then there's the 4-19 on the headlight bezel?? Very strange.

[Tom H.]

Re: '78 build date code

Looks like I was in error. I pulled the Cars and Parts catalog of ID numbers out when I posted my first reply and that book lists I as April. ( Page 140 in my edition ) As I double checked this, the NCRS spec guide does say May. Sorry for my errored reply.

[Tom H.]

Re: '78 build date code

Drop Tom Russo a PM. He's recorded dozens of these cars. He will be able to answer your question.

[David H.]

Re: '78 build date code

Mmmm, again. If the build date is now May 10, but then there's the 4-19 on the headlight bezel?? Very strange.

Perhaps the headlights assembly shop was building ahead for the pace car ramp-up. (March through May)

[Michael D.]

Re: '78 build date code

..."I" is May for 1978...

Correct. May, 1978. Pace Car assembly continued through the early part of May. Regular 78 production resumed after the PC run was completed. April dates on the bezels could be inspector marks.

[Tom R.]

Re: '78 build date code

Mmmm. If I10 is the build date and that translated to April 10th, then it's odd to have 4-19 on the bottom of the headlight bezel.

I would get away from this idea of it being a date. I don't recall seeing any mark that ever resembled a specific date...it was usually a code. It more likely is a job number of sort that kept it connected to other body panels. Remember bezels were painted at the same time but not on the body. I've seen slave racks that supported such parts like roof panels.

Look underneath at the passenger side underbody panel. There is a number (three digit) there that corresponds to a number on the buildsheet that served as the job number. See if its similar...maybe the last two digits.

[Tom H.]

Re: '78 build date code

Sure looks like a date to me.

[Tory S.]

Re: '78 build date code

Tom,


Here are more photos I took of the car. On the other headlight bezel, under the deck lid at the rear bumper and on the rear crossmember. The toe board has 552 written in yellow grease pencil, but the file won't upload.

What do you think of this?


IMG_9400.jpgIMG_9383.jpgIMG_9367.jpg



Tory

[Tory S.]

Re: '78 build date code

IMG_9409.jpgIMG_9389.jpgIMG_9402.jpg

OK, here are the toe boards and thee valve cover markings.

Tory

[Tom R.]

Re: '78 build date code

Tom,


Here are more photos I took of the car. On the other headlight bezel, under the deck lid at the rear bumper and on the rear crossmember. The toe board has 552 written in yellow grease pencil, but the file won't upload.

What do you think of this?


[ATTACH=CONFIG]42255[/ATTACH]

The 40J: I see this often on low mileage C3s and the last two digits always seem to reconcile with the last two digits of the VIN. I have seen J and E used but not sure what that means. Low VIN vehicles, like Pace Car 0003 were displayed with a single digit like "3E" while I've seen the last built Pace Car (6502) with "02" hand written on the rear cross member.

Remember at this point, the frame/chassis would come up from the basement upside down and a worker probably assigned this chassis as belong to a VIN body being assembled on the other side of the factory.

Just about any late model C3 had the "CB" hand written on the driver's side toe board whether they had a CB radio or not. I'm of the view that this was not related to the radio RPO but must have indicated some standard or base option.

[Tory S.]

Re: '78 build date code

Tom,

My '75 had what appeared to me as PB on the driver's toe board and I thought it meant Power Brakes RPO J50, which my car had. Did I misread PB for CB?

Tory