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Topic: 1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421?

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (1/23)
9/5/08 9:34pm

RScan68
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Cry

I have a '68 Convertible with a interior Color Code #421.An older "Corvette Black Book" and the local Corvette appraiser's information does NOT have codes 420 and 421 listed for 1968 Vettes (they start in 1969). Is my car a 1968 vin number and a 1969 interior? I see other '68s for sale on the internet that are reported as matching numbers with interior codes either 420 or 421. The appraiser has it valued at 50% of what it would be if it was origional. That is why I'm sad. Is there another guide book that has these codes for 1968?

Thanks in advance for any help!

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (2/23)
9/5/08 10:03pm

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421 is the code for Saddle leather in '69. Depending on WHEN your '68 was assembled, it could very well have been ordered/built with the 421 interior color. Whoever did the appraisal was wrong to deduct on the value of the car just for that reason....possibly, he/she needs to do a little more homework.

What is the build date of your car?

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (3/23)
9/5/08 10:14pm

mkapp7879
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Not that it helps you any but my Black Book(2001 edition) lists the 420(saddle vinyl) and 421(saddle leather) for 65-67 in addition to 69.

My 87 edition of the Black Book is pretty much useless!

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (4/23)
9/6/08 8:36am

MikeMc71
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My books all say they are '69 codes, but not '68. You are going to have to check the trim tag pretty closely, make sure it hasn't been replaced. If it is a VERY late '68, like an "L" code (July), it could possibly have a '69 code. '69 production started in August.

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (5/23)
9/8/08 12:04am

RScan68
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Thanks, The VIN # indicates that it was msde in January.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (6/23)
9/8/08 12:06am

RScan68
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The VIN number ends in 410007, which makes it a January build.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (7/23)
9/8/08 7:56am

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Well...that doesn't exactly put it as a late build! However, the interior colors were subject to changes, if they were ordered by the customer/dealer. If a particular color was requested, but not "available" for that year, it could be had, if ordered thru the correct channels, such as GM sales/management/design etc. The car may have originally been ordered by a GM employee...who knows? The only way to verify what it had from the factory would be to have the original window sticker, or the tank build sheet, which MAY still be on the car.
As others have suggested, the trim tag may have been changed, also, but the date code on it would tell the tale, unless it is a reproduction tag, made specifically for the car.
Does the trim tag date agree with the VIN build date of January '68?Adams' Apple2008-09-08 04:57:20

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (8/23)
9/9/08 4:37pm

RScan68
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Trim tag date? The only thing stamped on the trim plate (other than the standard GM conforms to Federal requirements wording) is F25. Is F25 code for a date?

I bought the car in 1992 and do not have the original window sticker, or the tank build sheet.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (9/23)
9/9/08 5:02pm

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F25 = 25th day of the month...Don't have the info here with me, but, if production started in Sept '67, then F would mean Feb 68...apparently, your car's VIN puts it as a Jan built car...NOT GOOD!

Looks like someone has changed the Trim tag...

(unless my Texas math is wrong) Annnnd...apparently, it is!

Adams' Apple2008-09-09 18:33:05

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (10/23)
9/9/08 5:33pm

mkapp7879
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Is it possible 68 production "started" in August 67 even tho none were apparently built in August? 1967 production ended in July. Probably a major line changeover took place.

That would put his trim tag date about right with his VIN.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (11/23)
9/9/08 9:34pm

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I rechecked me math...and the NCRS Spec book..."F" would be January...

I looked at my "Birthday Book", and it does appear there were 125 '68 Corvettes built in Aug. '67(starting on the 14th), but...the Spec Guide doesn't list them...who knows?
Anyway, my previous statement about the tag being replaced is incorrect.
Thanks Mike!

Adams' Apple2008-09-09 18:35:16

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (12/23)
9/10/08 4:15pm

6880Mike
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F25 is Thursday, January 25th, 1968. Ending December VIN was #7922; ending January VIN was #10386. Time/Build date and consecutive unit numbers jive for a late January assembly date.

Still doesn't explain the 420/421 codes.

I'll have to haul out my '68 NCRS Judging Manual tonight and thumb back through it again.

Smile

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (13/23)
9/10/08 10:28pm

RScan68
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Thanks for all the information.

My Black Book states, "Up until1989, it has always been Chevrolet�s policy to permit customers to override the recommended colors, so remember that different interior-exterior combinations from those shown in the charts are entirely possible." Does that help me?

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (14/23)
9/10/08 10:44pm

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It can explain the anomaly, but, if having the car Judged, it would be up to you to prove(with paperwork, or info from the original owner) the car was ordered/delivered like that.
I still don't see that it would de-value the car by 50%...that's just nutz. You could get a car with non-standard paint, or interior back then, as I mentioned before, and you just said....just because one person has never actually seen one like it, or it doesn't show in the "Books", doesn't mean it ain't real...(I ain't never actually seen a million dollars, but I'm pretty sure it exists!

)

More research would be needed to confirm the interior codes as being correct for that car.

Feel like playing Sherlock? Might be fun, as well as informative...

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (15/23)
9/10/08 11:07pm

RScan68
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Great! What is your "Birthday Book"? I would like to have a copy of the August production information.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (16/23)
9/11/08 7:59am

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The "Corvette Birthday Book" is available from NCRS, as well as a few of the Corvette parts vendors, such as Mid America, etc. It covers from '53-'82, and gives the approximate date of production for VINs, as well as final production tallies per day/month. It's not 100% accurate, but it is dang close!

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1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (17/23)
9/11/08 8:45am

6880Mike
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No luck on codes 420/421 for 1968. I checked the 1968-69 NCRS Judging Manual, Dr. Dobbins' book, and an old GM Parts Catalogue. All of them show 420 and 421 for the '69 model year, but not for '68.

Join the NCRS; get on their forum, and see what they have to say.

http://www.ncrs.org/

Smile

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (18/23)
9/23/08 2:25am

RScan68
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I�ve found a 1981 edition of " Vette Vues Fact Book for �68 to �72 " by MF Dobbins that has an Interior-Exterior Color Combination chart on page 25 that lists Saddle as an interior color option. However, the Interior Trim Code list on page 175 does NOT have Saddle on it for �68. Do any of the newer editions of the Fact Book have Saddle listed for �68?

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (19/23)
9/24/08 10:38am

6880Mike
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[QUOTE=RScan68]...My Black Book states, "Up until1989, it has always been Chevrolet�s policy to permit customers to override the recommended colors, so remember that different interior-exterior combinations from those shown in the charts are entirely possible." Does that help me?...[/QUOTE]

Possibly doesn't help. GM allowed the changes mentioned only if what the customer wanted was already available and would not cost GM any money. As an example. you could order a red interior with green exterior paint. GM did not recommend the combination, but they already had red upholstery on hand and were already using the green paint. Parts on hand, no cost to GM.

In your specific case, you could not have gotten the saddle interior if it was not otherwise available to GM. It's possible your saddle might have been a pilot car for the 1969 color.

Is your upholstery in the '68 basket weave pattern or the '69 Comfort Weave type? Do your seats have the optional head rests?

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6880Mike2008-09-24 07:41:17

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (20/23)
9/24/08 12:45pm

VetteSpecialties
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And that code was available the year before and after '68, so it is more likely to have been possible to special order it. And I agree that even a completely wrong interior color could have that much impact on value. Find someone with a more open mind.

Larry

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (21/23)
9/25/08 9:44pm

RScan68
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The seats are the basket weave pattern with no head rests.

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (22/23)
9/26/08 8:57am

6880Mike
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I posted your question on the NCRS forum. Codes 420 and 421 were available on the '68 models late. Neither code got listed in the sales brochures, but apparently the dealers were aware it was available and told potential buyers about it.

Mystery solved. Basket weave fits for '68; ditto on the absence of head rests (they were optional).

Clap

6880Mike2008-09-26 05:59:44

1968 Interior color codes 420 & 421? (23/23)
3/2/09 9:01am

sulm68
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The 1968-1969 Corvette Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide, Third Edition, NCRS states on page 2 "420 Saddle** " "421 Saddle** " "added during production year; date is uncertain.

Hope this helps.

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