81 color coding confusion
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
81 color coding confusion
We need help deciphering the serial numbers and the color code plate on the door pilar. Our 81 when purchased was painted Code 98 Dark Claret. The color plate shows 80U and 80L which is Autumn Red it also shows 98M and we have no idea what this code stands for. When stripping the car, we found the Dark Claret over the Autumn Red (the entire inside of the car is painted the Dark Claret. We think that the interior Carpet/etc is Dark Red which is a late 1981 color. This car was built in Bowling Green - Not in St. Louis. Help! :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Re: 81 color coding confusion (RTTOYS)
80/98 paint was a two toned car done in Bowling Green. In 1981 all the two tone color cars were painted in Bowling Green (none in St. Louis). The code 98m on the tag indicates the car was a two tone car with Atumn Red and Dark Claret paint.
The interior combinations that you could get with this paint code were Dark Red and Silver Gray. Defined on the tag as either 152 for silver gray and/or 67c dark red cloth 672 dark red leather.
Production Identification:
ST. LOUIS S/N = 1G1AY8764BS4000001
BOWL GRN S/N = 1G1AY8764B54000001
THE DIFFERENCE IS BS AND B5 IN THE NUMBER
Hope this helps.
[Modified by REDRED62, 5:08 PM 5/2/2004]
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Re: 81 color coding confusion (wombvette)
Not to argue with you but what reference do you use to validate this. If I'm going to make a change in my records, I'll need something to reference it too. All publications that I have all state that none were done in St. Louis. But I love proving these wrong.
I have not consulted any 81 judges or the NCRS judging manual. I guess that would be my next step.
Red and blundered.
I have not consulted any 81 judges or the NCRS judging manual. I guess that would be my next step.
Red and blundered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: 81 color coding confusion (REDRED62)
They did them in St. Louis to check the proceedures for the painting operation at Bowling Green. Most if not all were a tan/ brown combination I think, at least the one I know is that color. There was an article on this early on in the literature of the day, but I dont remember when or where now. I do know of, and have worked on one of these personally over the years. It should be common knowledge with the NCRS. You should ask around there.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Re: 81 color coding confusion (wombvette)
Don't want to interrupt your argument--but---my door tag shows 80U and 80L
translated this means 80 upper (Autumn Red Upper) and 80 Lower (Autumn Red Lower) this was NOT a 2-tone car. My original question is this---DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE 98M STANDS FOR ON MY DOOR TAG. I have a Black Book a many other publications that you seem to be quoting from but they none show what the 98M is. My entire door tag actually shows 8 07A then an upside down T and 00988 on the next line it has 141 80L 80U 98M E
Then on the third line it says Chevrolet. We are talking about the metal tag that is on the door pilar--not the spec tag that is glued to the door jam (that one has already been removed by a previous owner). HELP HELP HELP :chevy :chevy
translated this means 80 upper (Autumn Red Upper) and 80 Lower (Autumn Red Lower) this was NOT a 2-tone car. My original question is this---DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE 98M STANDS FOR ON MY DOOR TAG. I have a Black Book a many other publications that you seem to be quoting from but they none show what the 98M is. My entire door tag actually shows 8 07A then an upside down T and 00988 on the next line it has 141 80L 80U 98M E
Then on the third line it says Chevrolet. We are talking about the metal tag that is on the door pilar--not the spec tag that is glued to the door jam (that one has already been removed by a previous owner). HELP HELP HELP :chevy :chevy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Re: 81 color coding confusion (tersian)
You're correct that 98 stands for Dark Claret - just as 80 is the color code for Autumn Red. I understand that the "U" and the "L" after the 80 represent "upper" and "lower" - this was a solid color car - not a two-tone. My confusion is that I don't know what the "M" stands for after the 98. The interior of the car is "Dark Red" which is a late 1981 color out of Bowling Green. When I took out all of the carpeting and the heat sheild, etc - the paint on the interior of the car is Dark Claret. I'm trying to figure out if this is correct or if someone has repainted the entire car, including the inside - the Dark Claret Color. The interior paint almost seems to be factory. I'm just trying to get the car back to its original color. I have talked to several parts companies and they have been no help at all in deciphering this particular door tag. Does anyone out there have an 81 that they can open the drivers side door and see if your door pilar tag gives anymore info than mine does????? It would be much appreciated!! :crazy:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: 81 color coding confusion (RTTOYS)
Mistakes were ocasionally made on the line. Sometimes they would catch them sometimes they didnt. This could be one of those situations where the tag was misstamped and the operator, made an on the fly correction. I have seen a couple that were painted the wrong color. I stripped one once that was painted steel cities gray under the correct silver. Obviously they caught it sometime during the second painting operation, and just shot over the steel cities. Stranger things have happened. If the car was built at Bowling Green, I think that the build information is available for these.
