Trim Tag Question
Drifting
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 572
From: CA & ID
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
http://corvettec3.ca/interior.htm
Is the interior black leather? You’re right, I don’t see black listed as an exterior color, plus the trim tag has an interior code for the exterior paint.
What is the VIN sequence? Is the build date month C or G?
Did Chevy change the stamping font? The “4” on my ‘69 trim tag looks totally different than this one. I don’t know how ‘74 tags are supposed to look, but there is definitely a mistake on this one, with the exterior code.
Is the interior black leather? You’re right, I don’t see black listed as an exterior color, plus the trim tag has an interior code for the exterior paint.
What is the VIN sequence? Is the build date month C or G?
Did Chevy change the stamping font? The “4” on my ‘69 trim tag looks totally different than this one. I don’t know how ‘74 tags are supposed to look, but there is definitely a mistake on this one, with the exterior code.
Advanced
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 58
Likes: 39
The font of the number '4' being open at the top was correct for '74, but as pointed out the 404 is an anterior trim number, not paint. Paint codes were either a 2 digit code or a 3 digit code beginning with a 9.
It's possible it was special order paint and they used the code for the black interior to note black paint, but in cases of special order paint they usually had "SPEC" or "SPECIAL" stamped in the paint code area.
It's possible it was special order paint and they used the code for the black interior to note black paint, but in cases of special order paint they usually had "SPEC" or "SPECIAL" stamped in the paint code area.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 235
From: Lawrence Kansas
yep, that's what i don't understand, strange number that i can't figure out, did they paint cars colors that weren't available supposedly and why would the number for the color be a interior trim number,
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
If you can remove the 4 screws from the rocker sill, then pull the carpet back a bit, you will be able to see the original color on the fiberglass floor. There is much overspray there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 802
From: Massapequa Park NY
That looks like a real tag. All the lettering in the text is correct and not like the repros. The repros have a very specific mistake that they have yet to correct and easy to pick out. However, it may NOT be correct for that car, possibly switched from another year but I don’t know codes from anything past the chrome bumpers.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 572
From: CA & ID
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Chevy must have changed its stamping machine for the date and interior/exterior. My ‘69 was built in a C month, and its code is C04; not only do the 4s look different, but the date font is different too, ie the C and the 0.
The trim tag OP posted does look like a factory correct trim tag.
I recognize that none of this answers OP’s question, of why the trim tag has an interior color code where the exterior code should be, or why the car is black (assuming it’s original paint) when black wasn’t offered. Regardless of whether the exterior color is original or not, there isn’t any exterior color code in that spot. Interesting mystery!
My guess is that we’ve all spent more time thinking about this than the guy who stamped it a half century ago did!
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
My money is on a factory mistake with this tag.
It is unfathomable that someone would be smart enough to make a fake tag, but then stamp completely wrong numbers like this on it.
If the car has not been through 20 different owners, this would be an interesting one to track history. Perhaps a tank sticker?
I like factory oddity/error cars.
Cheers, Greg
It is unfathomable that someone would be smart enough to make a fake tag, but then stamp completely wrong numbers like this on it.
If the car has not been through 20 different owners, this would be an interesting one to track history. Perhaps a tank sticker?
I like factory oddity/error cars.
Cheers, Greg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 235
From: Lawrence Kansas
The car is being sold by a representative of the owner, not a lot of info and the car is ok but not as nice as I would like so I think better of waiting to get what I want and find something I don't need to question. Thanks