vin ?
 

I'd like to get an accurate handle on this...
My VIN plate is as follows:
C - Chevrolet (1972 only)
C - 2wd
E - 8 cylinder
6 - 60 series
1 - Conventional Cab?
6 - Check #?
V - Plant location?
104528 - (4,528th unit built)
Any input is welcome. This plate is about it for identifiers.
[btw, the vin is NOT from truck in my avatar]

Re: vin ?
 

We used to carry these VIN cards around in our pocket (along with our pocket protector and note cards).

1 = "Conventional Cab" just means a regular two door body style with a long nose (not cabover, and not four door)

6 = "Check digit" - my card doesn't show a check digit; check digits did not come into use until 1981. In any case it is a randomly assigned digit to fill that spot so that one can't arbitrarily re-create a VIN after the fact. (You have to know the specific check digit in order to know the accurate full VIN).

V = Pontiac Michigan (South Blvd, as opposed to Opdyke Rd Light Duty, which started with GMT400, or headquarters at Montcalm/Joslyn, which was passenger car only).

K

Re: vin ?
 

THAT'S THE TICKET!!!
(I'm from the pocket protector generation as well)
Thanks MUCH

Re: vin ?
 

Question: Was Opdyke Road sometims called 'Pontiac East'? I thought they built medium duty conventionals there from 1973 to 1984 or so. Thanks!

Re: vin ?
 

Yes - Opdyke Rd was called Pontiac East.

Maybe I am remembering incorrectly and it was re-fit in order to produce GMT400 trucks.

I've got some charts I made that show when the various plants came and went. I'll take a look at it next time I come across them.

K

Re: vin ?
 

Thanks! I have this brochure in my collection from late 1972, and it mentions a new plant in Pontiac:

Re: vin ?
 

Thanks for posting that!

K

Re: vin ?
 

Looks like that might be Pontiac East, is that Opdyde Road in front? I think GM moved the medium duty trucks back to South Blvd. sometime in the early 80's and retooled Pontiac East for the GMT400's. I believe it was closed for a number of years. I had a good friend that build the medium duty GMT530's at Janesville WI. for years.

Interesting stuff!

Those 1973-1989 medium duty conventionals were sure good trucks, I put a lot of miles on them.

Re: vin ?
 

Yes - right about here:

HQ was on South Blvd; motor homes (and later the Truck Validation Center) were off the map in the upper LH corner where the M-1 Concourse now resides.

K