Topic: Loss of the trim tag
in Forum: C3 Body
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Goood morning everybody.
I'm Max from Italy and I'm going to restoration my 1973 and I've find a big problem! On the drivers door jamb the last owner take off the trim tag whit all the code! Someone can help me how to find the colors code? Is possible with the VIN ? I write to GM but anybody answer !!
Thanks a lot and sorry for my not very well writing!! 

Max
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Indianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Welcome Max! Without the trim tag, you have limited options in finding the original color. Your best chance (in my opinion) would be to check for the "tank sticker." This is also known as the build sheet and was used by the factory to know what options to put on the car. During assembly, it was typically glued to the top of the gas tank (hence the tank sticker name). They have also been found under carpet, inside the dashboard, under or inside of seats and other places, but the top of the tank is probably your best bet.
Do you have any history of the car? Previous owners, how and when it got to Italy, etc? Some folks here have had luck with contacting Motor Vehicle Bureaus in various US states to get information. If you could track it down to the original owner, the original color would likely be in that information. I think that option is a long shot, but it's possible.
Good luck in your search!!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
What year is your car and what color is it now? Maybe look around under the hood and fenders and stuff to see if it was a different color before. What color is the interior? If it's a convertible, what color is the top? Maybe with more info people here can help figure it out for you.
Lonnie

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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Welcome to C3VR!
Are you talking about the actual, metal trim tag that is attached to the body at the front of the door jam, or the blue paper tag on rear edge of the door itself?
If the metal trim tag is gone, it's going to be harder to determine the original color without the build sheet/tank sticker, but maybe not impossible.
Pull the carpet back from the sill plates, and look under there for evidence. These cars were originally painted with no trim/interior stuff, so the floors would have substantial overspray of the color. Most repaints do not go through the trouble of removing the interior and covering all of the original color. Also, the hood hinges may still have some of the original color on them, as they were on the car when it was painted.
You might take some of the interior trim pieces off, and see if there is a different color under them than what is on the car.
As far as interior color, it's next to impossible to determine what it had originally without the trim tag, or build sheet, as the interior can be completely changed, with no evidence of the change in either color, or fabrics.
Do you think the car has had a color change, or are you just wanting to determine if the colors it has are original?
Are you talking about the actual, metal trim tag that is attached to the body at the front of the door jam, or the blue paper tag on rear edge of the door itself?
If the metal trim tag is gone, it's going to be harder to determine the original color without the build sheet/tank sticker, but maybe not impossible.
Pull the carpet back from the sill plates, and look under there for evidence. These cars were originally painted with no trim/interior stuff, so the floors would have substantial overspray of the color. Most repaints do not go through the trouble of removing the interior and covering all of the original color. Also, the hood hinges may still have some of the original color on them, as they were on the car when it was painted.
You might take some of the interior trim pieces off, and see if there is a different color under them than what is on the car.
As far as interior color, it's next to impossible to determine what it had originally without the trim tag, or build sheet, as the interior can be completely changed, with no evidence of the change in either color, or fabrics.
Do you think the car has had a color change, or are you just wanting to determine if the colors it has are original?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
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Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Joel is right. The only thing I can add is that most replacement consoles and e-brake covers look like replacements if you take them apart and look. If your seem original, you probably have the original color. This can be a chance to make the car the way you want it. Replacement trim tags are available with whatever information you want on them.
Larry
Larry
Thanks to all !!! I try to search in all the corners but nothing!!! I think to have find the original external colour,under 5 layers of paint,(blue,yellow,blue,orange,red) but not the interior. The previous owner spray black all the interior. I think the colour was dark saddle...is only my idea! I try to search on the web some book can tell me,if is possible, the combination of color (ext and int).
Max, car looks pretty nice, so it looks like it was blue. Are the corvettes liked over in Italy?
Also what are those other toys covered up in the shop?

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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Looks like the car was originally blue...or at least the door you have the pic of was. There doesn't seem to be any overspray on the fasteners on that door, so...that's a good indication that blue is the original color. It would have been available with a saddle colored interior, too.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

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Oak Creek, WI - USA
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
in Forum: C3 Body
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