Trim tag question
There is a discussion on a Facebook group on a trim tag on a 1968 Corvette and as usual the keyboard experts have rendered a variety of opinions. The car is May 68 manufacture according to the VIN number. The J on the Trim Tag shows a May assembly date. The tag shows 408 trim (red leather in 1968) and 987 paint (Ontario Orange in '71 & '72 and I can't find it listed anywhere else) Since there's no combination of those two numbers any year I can find is this some kind of mistake in striking the tag, or could it be some type of COPO paint color? I hope this owner will join NCRS (at my suggestion already) for a more credible source of advice.
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Re: Trim tag question
trim_tag_efb90ea724a52bd3b3e0a0fa4378fd7a16ad6982.jpg
here is the picture from the Corvette Forum. I would like to question the rivets -
Re: Trim tag question
Keith, the right rivet does look like it's in a hole as if somebody had drilled it out, which isn't uncommon on re paints, especially by run of the mill body shops. The mystery to me is the odd combination of trim and paint codes. Surely a fake tag wouldn't have had a mistake. Lots of times when I've run across something really odd I end up learning something.Comment
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Re: Trim tag question
Have they scrutinized this Corvette for any other previous/original paint colors? Just a thought, but if the last two digits in the 1968 paint code were reversed (987 => 978), it would now be BLUE with a RED interior... and that would a nice combo.Comment
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Re: Trim tag question
The only anomaly I see with the tag itself that I find unusual is the letter C in MANUFACTURE. It does not look typical from all the tags I have pics of from 68/69 that I believe are original. Here is a closeup pic of that letter from a tag I believe is original. It’s more curvy on the original, the tag in question looks like the C has a straighter back. Just an observation. I don’t have pics of later tags from 70 on. Maybe it is a later tag. Maybe the later tags changed the letter C at some point. Someone needs to compare it to a 71/72 tag.
And by the way Morris, my name on FB is Edward Anthony. I once made a comment about a rear end fix and you proceeded to say it was the most painful replies you ever read.
1B545C8B-AB01-4044-AE5C-E6B022850DA5.jpgComment
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Re: Trim tag question
The Cs on my tag seem inconsistent: VEHICLE, CONFORMS, and APPLICABLE appear straighter while others seem more curved along the back of the letter.
Here's a pic of my '72's tag:
IMG_0012 copy.jpgComment
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Re: Trim tag question
Very good observations. I'm totally unfamiliar with C3 Trim Tags... but wonder if we are seeing an optical 'delusion'?
I went over to the C3 Registry and was looking at several of the 1968 tags in their collection.
Given the acute ANGLE of the photo in question, are the shadows and highlights bouncing off the embossed/curved letter differently?
Looking at this composite, the tag in question is up top... and the TOP/LEFT/WHITE/OUTER outline of the 'C' character appears to be CURVED.
In the lower image (from the C3 Registry), the CENTER/WHITE/INNER outline appears to be STRAIGHTER than the actual curve of the letter 'C'.
Nothing conclusive... except we likely need a BETTER image of the tag in question.
trim-tags.jpgLast edited by Jack M.; August 9, 2024, 12:31 PM.Comment
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Re: Trim tag question
The problem with getting a non-angled perspective is that the door does not swing out of the way far enough. A slight rabbit trail: the lower dash pad screw in the jamb requires a very stubby Phillips screwdriver because of the limited door swing and as the screw comes out even a stubby is too long.Comment
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