I am close to purchasing a 1969 427-390 Coupe but struggling with a discrepancy between the trim tag and some other date codes on the car. The engine code says the engine was built Jan 16, 1969 (partial VIN does match the car's VIN) and the sequence number of the VIN is above 15600 yet the trim tag says "C07" suggesting that the body was produced Oct 7, 1968, long before the engine was made and the car was assembled. Is it possible that the body sat waiting for assembly from Oct 1968 until Feb 1969?

Look at the trim tag VERY closely....see if the "C" isn't actually a "G", which would make it a Feb build date....

Not likely to have a trim tag date(earlier than build date) like that at all. Tags were made before body assembly was started, and installed on the early cars after paint.

Joel, would this fall into the catagory of the Mike Yager seminar about Numbers Matching?

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|UPDATED|12/2/2012 8:28:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I dloaded the pic, and did some enhancements...it looks like a "G" to me. If you look at the "C" in Chevrolet, and compare it to the "G" in the date, you'll see that the top part of the opening of the "C" comes down farther, or closer to the bottom part, compared to the "G", where the top part of the opening is higher....if that makes any sense at all. Basically, the two supposed "C"s do not match.
The original pic is kinda blurry, so that dint help much, but it appears more like a "G" to me. A better pic, or personal examination would certainly be needed to confirm.

Leave it to Joel to come up with a solution! That's what I love about this site!

I don't have the answer...just an opinion.... Here's what I see...the "C" on the right in this pic is from the "Chevrolet" on the tag. The letter on the left is the one in question. From what I see, the two do NOT match...looks more like a "G" to me, but....you REALLY need to eyeball the tag in person, or have someone else take a look to verify what it actually is. I would certainly not pay good money for a car with questionable history.... just my opinion. If someone here has a '68-9 with a "G" build date, a good pic of their tag would certainly help...hint hint.... Also...if you could post a general location of the car, there may be a C3VR member close enough to take a look at it for you. dam...guess it would help if I added the dang pic, eh?

|UPDATED|12/3/2012 10:48:02 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Fact :  More C2 big blocks exist than were built in all years applicable. No reason to believe otherwise for early C3's. Reason - more money for fabricated vehicles. 

The full sequence #(vin #) would help narrow down the possibilities("higher than 15600" is a little vague, to say the least), but...Here's what I know. If the sequence # is above 15600, then car was finished on or shortly after Feb.11, '69. The last car built on Feb. 11 was #15702. Now, we have to take into consideration that the trim tag date is the "approximate" body build date. That date is when the tag was stamped, and the body build started. It could take a couple of days to complete the body, paint and all. Longer if the body had to go back thru the paint/body shop for any reason.
 Feb 7th(G07) was a Friday. So figure at least until Monday(10th) to complete the body, then final assembly of the car, that would put the actual finish date on Tuesday the 11th....unless the car has a sequence # above 15702. If it does NOT have a higher sequence # than 15702, then the G07 trim tag date would be absolutely correct for the VIN of the car.

Everybody clear now?
I think the trim tag is a "G07", and the car is legit, BUT....the tag needs to be verified before confirming OR denying.

Also...the final VIN # for Oct 7, '68(C07) was #3743.....


|UPDATED|12/4/2012 8:46:11 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

All I can say is WOW.  You guys continue to amaze me.