1968 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

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  • In-depth analysis of 1968 Fisher Body Number Plates

  • Generally, in 1968 the series/model designation is a trim level and not an indication of the engine type installed in the vehicle as, generally, Fisher Body didn't care what engine type was to be installed. One 1968 documented example is a Kansas City built 13227 300 2-Door Coupe trim tag style and a VIN of 13127 and a second Framingham example 13427 300 Deluxe 2-Door Coupe trim tag style and a VIN of 13327. To date, Oshawa is the only 1968 Chevelle plant I have an example of that used an odd 3rd digit in the style number although the Fremont plant is suspected to have used an odd 3rd digit as well in the style number; Fremont did from 1964 through 1967 and in 1969 as well and it would follow they did in 1968 but to date, no 1968 Fremont tag has been found with an odd 3rd digit.

  • 1968 was the last of three years the Chevelle SS396 was a separate series (13837/67/80) and not an option on the Malibu. Also 1968 is the only year the El Camino SS396 was a separate series, 13880.

  • The Sport Coupe model designation was changed from "17" back to "37" for 1968 and the 'Strut Back' hardtop styling was discontinued.

  • Indications are the body numbers are sequential for the particular series/model per plant.

  • Numbers in parentheses after the STYLE are number of units produced and are for total production of the series/model depicted on the body plate except where noted. Unless otherwise noted, this production number assumes the trim tag STYLE to match the VIN series/model number. This is not always the case as noted in the first bulleted item.

  • A popular publication states, "On all 1965 through 1971 trim tags, the engine identification portion of the model identification number always indicates a V-8 engine. No 6-cylinder engine identification numbers are stamped on any trim tag." This is an incorrect statement for not only 1965 through 1971 but includes 1972 as well. There are numerous examples of trim tags with an odd 3rd-digit style on this website.

  • Option codes no longer appear on any 1968 body plates.

  • Due to a shortage of interior trim, some models substituted Buick, Oldsmobile or Pontiac interiors and are coded on the body plate accordingly with the Chevrolet trim number followed by the BOP trim number such as 765 158.

  • Added verbiage "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION CERTIFIES TO THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE" to all body plates.

  • Oshawa changed the physical size of their trim tag from the previous 1 3/4" x 4" to 2 3/16" x 3 1/2". Other (U.S.) plants retained their 1 3/4" x 4" size.

  • Links to Fisher Body Number Plates (a.k.a., trim tag, cowl tag, firewall tag, etc.)

  • ATL ~ Atlanta, Georgia
    File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click tag for more Atlanta examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • No dash character (-) after interior trim code and no "-A" or "-B" to designate bench/bucket seats.*
    • No dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.*
    • Almost all have a hand-stamped number visible. This is reported to be a final inspection stamp indicating the vehicle was ready for shipment.
    • * One exception is an 07D SS396 convertible.  No dash character (-) after interior trim code and does have dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
  • BAL ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino
    File Photo - 03/01/2009  File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click either tag for more Baltimore examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • No dash character (-) after interior trim code, no "-A" or "-B" to designate bench/bucket seats, dash character used to designate Buick/Olds/Pontiac replacement interiors. Beginning with at least 05A, the trim code is shown with a dash character (-) after the number.
    • No dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
    • Cars with Buick, Oldsmobile, or Pontiac interiors:
      >> 03D 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 04A 13637 with 765-980 Oldsmobile bench (known Concours-optioned)
      >> 04A 13667 with 765-158 Buick Bench
      >> 04A 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 04A 13680 with 766-223 Pontiac bucket
      >> 04B 13867 with 765-158 Buick bench
      >> 05A 13427 with 760-217 Pontiac bench
      >> 05A 13637 with 765-118 Buick bench
      >> 06B 13637 with 765-118 Buick bench
  • BF ~ Fremont, California ~ El Camino
    File Photo - 03/01/2009  File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click either tag for more Fremont examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • No dash character (-) after interior trim code and no "-A" or "-B" to designate bench/bucket seats.
    • No dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
    • Cars with Buick, Oldsmobile, or Pontiac interiors:
      >> 03E 13637 with 766 970 Oldsmobile bucket
      >> 04A 13637 with 765 118 Buick bench
      >> 04B 13637 with 765 118 Buick bench
      >> 04B 13880 with 766 223 Pontiac bucket
      >> 05B 13837 with 766 178 Buick bucket
      >> 05C 13837 with 765 158 Buick bench
      >> 05D 13837 with 766 178 Buick bucket
    • Special paint trim tags show a dash character(s).
  • FRA ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
    File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click tag for more Framingham examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Includes dash character (-) after interior trim code but no "-A" or "-B" to designate bench/bucket seats.
    • Includes dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
  • KAN ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino
    File Photo - 03/01/2009  File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click either tag for more Kansas City examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Does separate lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-). Bench seat trim codes include "-A" and bucket seat trim codes include "-B".
    • Includes dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
    • Cars with Buick, Oldsmobile, or Pontiac interiors:
      >> 03D 13637 with 765-168 Buick bench **  (known Concours-optioned)
      >> 04A 13680 with 766-223 Pontiac bucket (not verified)
      >> 04A 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 04A 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 04B 13837 with 765-158 Buick bench
      >> 04C 13880 with 766-223 Pontiac bucket
      >> 04C 13637 with 765-168 Buick bench w/armrest (known Concours-optioned)
      >> 04D 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 04E 13837 with 766-178 Buick bucket
      >> 05A 13667 with 765-158 Buck bench
      >> 05B 13427 with 760-910 Oldsmobile bench
      >> 05D 13837 with 765-158 Buick bench
      >> 06A 13867 with 765 158 Buick bench
    • As with 1967 Kansas City trim tags, paint code "G" is a smaller letter than other paint and vinyl/convertible top codes.
  • OS ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    File Photo - 03/01/2009
    Click tag for more Oshawa examples...
    • No dash character (-) after interior trim code and no "-A" or "-B" to designate bench/bucket seats.
    • Includes dash character (-) between lower and upper paint codes.
    • May include RPO codes for specific options.

Courtesy Youri Ardon
A little something out of the ordinary. Don't know its proper name but it's found on the firewall of a 1968 Chevelle built in Antwerp, Belgium. Information supplied by the owner in Rotterdam, Netherlands include:
1 - Chevrolet Division
33 - 300 Deluxe L6 series
69 - 4-Door Sedan
H - 1968 model year
X - Antwerp, Belgium
101670 - Sequence number