Build date code
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 264
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From: Bernardsville New Jersey
Build date code
I've seen conflicting info as to the correct month code for build. I've always assumed Aug. to be the first month of production and therefore assigned "A" in the coded sequence. I've also seen Sept. as first month and designated "A". What's the definitive answer?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,417
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From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
Also depends on where the body was built 
For C2 Corvettes there is this info:
1963 A is September 1962 for St .Louis bodies
1964 A is September 1963 for St. Louis bodies, A is January 1964 for AO Smith bodies
1965 A is August 1964 for St. Louis and AO Smith bodies
1966 A is September 1965 for St. Louis bodies and A is August 1965 for AO Smith bodies
1967 A is August 1966 for St. Louis and AO Smith bodies
For C2 Corvettes there is this info:
1963 A is September 1962 for St .Louis bodies
1964 A is September 1963 for St. Louis bodies, A is January 1964 for AO Smith bodies
1965 A is August 1964 for St. Louis and AO Smith bodies
1966 A is September 1965 for St. Louis bodies and A is August 1965 for AO Smith bodies
1967 A is August 1966 for St. Louis and AO Smith bodies
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,417
Likes: 161
From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 534
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From: PA
also depends on where the body was built
For c2 corvettes there is this info:
1963 a is september 1962 for st .louis bodies
1964 a is september 1963 for st. Louis bodies, a is january 1964 for ao smith bodies
1965 a is august 1964 for st. Louis and ao smith bodies
1966 a is september 1965 for st. Louis bodies and a is august 1965 for ao smith bodies
1967 a is august 1966 for st. Louis and ao smith bodies
For c2 corvettes there is this info:
1963 a is september 1962 for st .louis bodies
1964 a is september 1963 for st. Louis bodies, a is january 1964 for ao smith bodies
1965 a is august 1964 for st. Louis and ao smith bodies
1966 a is september 1965 for st. Louis bodies and a is august 1965 for ao smith bodies
1967 a is august 1966 for st. Louis and ao smith bodies
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,417
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From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 534
Likes: 21
From: PA
AO Smith bodies started in August 1965 for the 66 Corvettes. St. Louis bodies started in September 1965 for the 66 Corvettes. You have it just reversed. See here for one source: http://www.stl-vettes.com/65Vette/tr...ag_display.htm
Last edited by maggiesadie8525; Jul 25, 2012 at 07:11 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,417
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From: Des Moines, Iowa, USA Iowa
According to the 1966 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide on page 7 A O Smith did not start building until September 1965. Final monthly serial numbers and body build dates. September total 10,2031 for both A O Smith and ST. Louis. Nothing built for the month of August for either factories. Thank you for your input and discussion. Have a great week. Maury
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Washington Michigan
According to the 1966 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide on page 7 A O Smith did not start building until September 1965. Final monthly serial numbers and body build dates. September total 10,2031 for both A O Smith and ST. Louis. Nothing built for the month of August for either factories. Thank you for your input and discussion. Have a great week. Maury
2. There's no final serial number for August, as no cars were produced in August; A.O. Smith only built BODIES, not CARS, and their bodies were sent to St. Louis for final assembly. It normally took 10 days to 2 weeks for an A.O. Smith body to be finished, rail-shipped to St. Louis, and put on the Trim Line at St. Louis for final assembly. Corvettes were only serialized and produced at St. Louis; they had no VIN when they left the A.O. Smith plant in Ionia, Michigan.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Morris County, NJ
I know this is an old thread but just to appease my feeble brain - for the 1967 model year, did very early (specifically August 1966) St. Louis Corvette bodies receive an "A" trim tag (indicating an August body build) but then finalized as a full fledged, VIN number-wearing car in September? I ask because the Birthday Book, the 1953 - 1967 Specification Guide and the Black Book all say that no cars were built (I guess that means finalized/completed) in August, 1966. Yet, as noted, the trim tag date code letter "A" corresponds to August, 1966 which kind of makes people think the car was built in August.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Cold Harbor, VA
This thread is on very thin ice. So, I will slip an answer in. The first 2110 or so 67's built wear an A month code for Sept 66. the first month of production. The A has nothing to do with August in the 67 production year. If some people think the A means that the car was built in August 66, or even say April 67, they need to become better informed.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I know this is an old thread but just to appease my feeble brain - for the 1967 model year, did very early (specifically August 1966) St. Louis Corvette bodies receive an "A" trim tag (indicating an August body build) but then finalized as a full fledged, VIN number-wearing car in September? I ask because the Birthday Book, the 1953 - 1967 Specification Guide and the Black Book all say that no cars were built (I guess that means finalized/completed) in August, 1966. Yet, as noted, the trim tag date code letter "A" corresponds to August, 1966 which kind of makes people think the car was built in August.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.