C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1974 paint codes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 08:56 PM
  #1  
emccomas's Avatar
emccomas
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Default 1974 paint codes

Would all who have a 1974 Corvette check your paint codes for me. Many references list the 1974 paint codes in the form 9xx (where xx is a two digit number representing a color).

However, every 1974 that I have looked at (hundreds over the years) has a paint code in the form xxL (where xx is again a two digit number representing a color).

Just want to confirm that no one has a 1974 Corvette with a paint code of the form 9xx.

Thanks.
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 09:02 PM
  #2  
dannyman's Avatar
dannyman
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Default

9xx

See following link:

http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet74.htm

Dan
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 10:00 PM
  #3  
Paul Borowski's Avatar
Paul Borowski
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,457
Likes: 463
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Default

Ed, I at one time had listed and viewed over 300+ 1974 Corvette trim tags from a first day production car to a car 10 VIN #s from the "last" '74 built. I never saw one, nada, 9XX for a paint code. Every one was an "80L", "56L", "10L", "22L" and so on.
Old Apr 28, 2008 | 10:49 PM
  #4  
RMS73's Avatar
RMS73
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Default

For '74 VIN 36 the paint code is 10L. That is the earliest I have seen.

Roger
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 12:26 AM
  #5  
Todd M's Avatar
Todd M
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Hanover Pennsylvania
Default

I believe I have #7788 built in November 73. It has a paint code of 74L.
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 03:11 AM
  #6  
ROBRICCI's Avatar
ROBRICCI
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: NAPLES FLORIDA
Default

# 8167 here, built Nov. 5th, 1973, code 74L.....

its my understanding that the "L" stood for "lacquer" ......
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 06:03 AM
  #7  
emccomas's Avatar
emccomas
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Default

Originally Posted by ROBRICCI
# 8167 here, built Nov. 5th, 1973, code 74L.....

its my understanding that the "L" stood for "lacquer" ......
I believe that the L stands for "Lower". 1974 was when Chevrolet offered two tone paint schemes on many of its models. The two tone paint codes would be something like xxU yyL, where U was the upper color paint code, and L was the lower color paint code. Vehicles that had a single color had one paint code, of the form xxL.
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 06:05 AM
  #8  
emccomas's Avatar
emccomas
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Default

Originally Posted by dannyman
Yep, that comes from Chevrolet documentation. But no one has ever seen an actual 1974 Corvette with a paint code of the form 9xx. I believe that a change was made after the documentation was prepared.
There has to be a record of an Engineering Change Order somewhere.
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 06:07 AM
  #9  
emccomas's Avatar
emccomas
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Default

Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
Ed, I at one time had listed and viewed over 300+ 1974 Corvette trim tags from a first day production car to a car 10 VIN #s from the "last" '74 built. I never saw one, nada, 9XX for a paint code. Every one was an "80L", "56L", "10L", "22L" and so on.
That has been my experience as well. I have looked at hundreds of these over the years, all of the form xxL.
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #10  
fotyfobravo's Avatar
fotyfobravo
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Default

Originally Posted by RMS73
For '74 VIN 36 the paint code is 10L. That is the earliest I have seen.

Roger
You are correct Sir....and here it is.....# 00036.



Old Apr 29, 2008 | 04:29 PM
  #11  
rkingce's Avatar
rkingce
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento Ca
Default

So does that mean if you have a 1974 with a 10L you have a White Car or should have one?
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 04:30 PM
  #12  
dannyman's Avatar
dannyman
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by emccomas
Yep, that comes from Chevrolet documentation. But no one has ever seen an actual 1974 Corvette with a paint code of the form 9xx. I believe that a change was made after the documentation was prepared.
There has to be a record of an Engineering Change Order somewhere.
Are you telling me that we can't trust the Generals documentation.

Sorry misread your question. :o
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 04:48 PM
  #13  
rkingce's Avatar
rkingce
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento Ca
Default

Im I correct, a 10L would be a white car. I have #1545 and its code is 10L but its Red...........
Old Apr 29, 2008 | 06:38 PM
  #14  
RMS73's Avatar
RMS73
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Default

10L = white from the factory
76L would be red from the factory I believe since 976 was red in 1973

Roger
Old May 7, 2008 | 09:12 PM
  #15  
RMS73's Avatar
RMS73
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Default

Found a picture of the window sticker for VIN 22115. It shows 10L Classic White for the color.

Roger
Old May 8, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #16  
dmaaero's Avatar
dmaaero
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: wilmington nc
Default

56L = bright yellow
Old May 8, 2008 | 09:00 PM
  #17  
Mike-C3-73's Avatar
Mike-C3-73
1st Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

I recently purchased a '73 (I fairly sure from the original owner). It came with the original window sticker. On the list of "options & accessories" is (the last two):
422 Dark Saddle Custom Interior
945 45-45 DARK BLUE-GREEN MET
I haven't located the plate on the vehicle yet. Is that the 3 digit code you're talking about??
I am a new owner, new to the forum as well... trying to assist...

Get notified of new replies

To 1974 paint codes

Old May 9, 2008 | 07:08 AM
  #18  
emccomas's Avatar
emccomas
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
Likes: 1,313
From: Huntsville AL
Default

Originally Posted by Mike-C3-73
I recently purchased a '73 (I fairly sure from the original owner). It came with the original window sticker. On the list of "options & accessories" is (the last two):
422 Dark Saddle Custom Interior
945 45-45 DARK BLUE-GREEN MET
I haven't located the plate on the vehicle yet. Is that the 3 digit code you're talking about??
I am a new owner, new to the forum as well... trying to assist...
Yes, but this discussion only applies to 1974 model year cars. 1973 cars definitely used the 9xx format for the paint code.

The issue is that Chevrolet documentation for the 1974 model years indicates that the paint codes format is 9xx (like 1973). However, no 1974 Corvette has ever surfaced with a paint code format of 9xx. They all (so far as we can tell) have a format of xxL.
Old May 12, 2008 | 03:52 PM
  #19  
outlawkinser's Avatar
outlawkinser
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 5
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Default

#437138 14L Silver Mist
Old May 13, 2008 | 06:25 AM
  #20  
aussiejohn's Avatar
aussiejohn
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Default Confusing

G'day,
My '74 coupe was dark brown metallic and has the code 68L on the TRIM PLATE. Now, according to my copy of the Cars and Parts Magazine's "Catalog of Corvette ID Numbers 1955-93" the 1973 and 1974 cars had a 9xx code and 910 is Classic White while 968 is Dark Brown Metallic.

However, the Trim Plate on my car has on the top line, CHEVROLET J03,
second line 416 68L.

The J03 means May 03 (1974) build date.
The 416 means Medium Saddle Leather (trim colour and material), and
the 68L presumably means the body colour, which in my case is Dark Brown Metallic. You can see the similarity between "968" and "68L".

The book goes on to say that for the 1975 model year, Classic White is code 10, a two digit number. All the other paint codes are two digit numbers. As for the Trim Numbers, the LEATHER trim has a THREE digit NUMBER, while all the VINYL trimmed cars have a TWO digit number followed by the letter "V".

As there is not a panoply of various year Corvettes around me to research, I can't tell you what TRIM PLATES on a '75 say, but someone will chime in.

Regardsm from Down Under

aussiejohn
15 months to go



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:10 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE