Job number

[Randy C.]

I have read with interest Mike Furline's post on job number versus VIN. I don't have any paperwork on my '71 base engine automatic coupe and have always wondered what the job number was for my Corvette. Looking at one of Mike's pictures, though, tells me the job number might be 103. Behind the heat shield on the passenger engine compartment side of the angled floor panel the number "103" and the letters "A/C" are written in what appears to be an off-white crayon. Is "103" the job number?

Also, when I replaced the carpet, in the storage area behind the seats and on the fiberglass under the carpet and padding were the following: "UA6" and "A/C", forward to aft on the driver side; and "437" and "M40", forward to aft on the passenger side. I understand that UA6 means "alarm system", A/C means "air conditioning", and M40 means THM. But what does the "437" mean?

I'm going to try and post the pictures I have of these two areas but I seem to have difficulty in doing so. If the pictures don't show up, I'm hoping I described the situation well enough for people to understand. HEY, I THINK THE PICTURES WILL BE THERE!!!

Thank you!

Randy C.Corvette71AC.jpgCorvette71trunkdeckmarkings2010.jpg

[John C.]

Re: Job number

Randy

Corvette coupes were model number 19437, convertibles model number 19467. I'm not sure where in the assembly process these call outs were written on the panels but my guess is the 437 signifies it will be used in a coupe.

John

[Alan S.]

Re: Job number

Hi Randy,
Another place to look for the job number is under the rear deck just to the rear of the rear window.
It's an interesting one for me since my car only had 2 options, radio and white letter tires. Thus there are no other option codes on the car EXCEPT for this one with the R. I've always thought that this meant the rear deck needed to be cut for the radio antenna hole.
In this picture you can see the bottom of the under- window soft trim, and just a bit of the astro-ventilation doors.
Regards,
Alan

[Randy C.]

Re: Job number

I looked where you told me to go, Alan, and I found markings that look like "103". It appears there was a marking underneath that was "96R" but it was overwritten with the "103". I'm attaching a picture of what I found. I'm curious now as to where your VIN is compared to mine. My VIN ends in 04001 (production date 12/15/70). I'm just wondering if your car and my car were in the same batch of 1-500 order numbers and your car is just 83 numbers after mine, or if job number sequence and VIN sequence are even relevant, or if car was in a completely different batch of 1-500 job numbers. Thanks for your help. It does appear now that the order number for my car was 103. Those weird streaks you see aft of the "103" are old glue marks. The previous owner had a CB in my Corvette and couldn't get any reception so he glued tin foil all around that aft cabin and above the gas tank to increase his antenna capability. He said it worked for his CB, but it sure made a mess of things!

Randy C.

[Randy C.]

Re: Job number

...and thanks for the "heads-up" on the 437, John!

Randy C.

[Pete B.]

Re: Job number

Randy,
Mine is 3133 build date of 12/6 and my number is 218... I thought I heard that they went to 300 and started over.

Pete

[Alan S.]

Re: Job number

Hi Randy,
I'm pleased you found the marking on your car. I'd love to see that area on a no-radio car to see if the R is missing or if some other info is in it's place. I've always been curious how the hole for the antenna was made since it has a 'key-hole' shape for the 'tab' on the antenna base.
My car is #6589. It has a trim tag stamping indicating that the tag was placed on January 14.
So it appears there's not a possibility that our 2 cars were in the same batch.
Here's the tank sheet with the number. Notice the other number written on the sheet is 500 less than the VIN number.
Also, the Order Number in the top heading also appears on the window sticker which helps tie this tank sheet to a particular car since the window sticker has the car's VIN on it.
Regards,
Alan

[Michael D.]

Re: Job number

437 is assembly line shorthand for an underbody prepared for a coupe as opposed to a convertible (467). You have identified the options jargon (UA6, M40, AC, etc.) I agree your job number is probably 103.

[Randy C.]

Re: Job number

0727122010.jpgCorvette71tanksticker2002.jpgThis is all very interesting info to me and I thank all of you that showed me the way. I thought things like "job number" were lost because my tank sticker is so dilapidated that virtually no info is there. But I've been able, through this forum, to find things that I thought were long gone. Having the job number will help me in developing a non-original "tank sticker" and non-original "window sticker" as I now also know (thanks to NCRS) the dealer to which my car was originally destined (Wilmshurst Chevrolet in Angels Camp CA (6-155)). I've attached a picture of what's left of my tank sticker. I've added a tilt column since owning this car (it had a straight column when I bought it in 1978). As well, I don't know what wheel covers and tires came on the car so I just decided to dress the car in white stripe tires with the deluxe wheel covers.

I've haven't had any luck in finding my car's first owner. I bought it from the second owner - he owned the car from mid-1975 to August 1978. I've had the great fortune of actually talking with one of the long-term co-owners of Wilmshurst Chevrolet about my car but, so far, he hasn't been able to recall who might have been the first owner. I did have a name of a potential first owner but he knew that person never owned a Corvette. So that search continues. The good part about my inquiries around Angels Camp is that it is a fairly small town and it seems everyone knows everyone else! So, maybe some day the name of the first owner will pop up!

One unusual thing about my car is that it has a 3.36 rear end. That surprised me when I went through the car back in 2002 - I thought it was pretty much a done deal that base engine automatic Corvettes got the 3.08 differential. But then I read a service bulletin titled "Part E 1971 Corvette Axle Usage Corrections - Chevrolet Service Technicval Bulletin - 71-T-10 - August 20, 1971", that essentially said that some 1971 base engine auto Corvettes that were supposed to get the 3.08 rear end got the 3.36 rear end, and vice versa for some 1971 LT-1 Corvettes. It goes into how to change the gearing if a customer complains. I have always wondered if my base engine auto coupe was one of the "mistakes", or if it was ordered that way. And I definitely have a 3.36 rear end.

I get into a rambling mode so I better stop. Thanks again to everyone!

Randy C.