1965 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

• It is a fact that in 1965 the series/model designation on the trim tag is a trim level and not an indication of the engine type installed in the vehicle as Fisher Body didn't care what engine type was to be installed. Only the Vehicle Identification Number plate can determine whether the model was delivered with a V8 or L6 engine. For 1965, I have one Fremont example with 13737 series/model designation, one Fremont example of 13537, one Fremont example of 13535, two Baltimore examples, one 13837 on the body plate with 13737 on the VIN and one 13667 on the body plate and 13567 on the VIN, one Framingham example with 13837 on the body plate with 13737 on the VIN,  proving there are indeed odd-numbered (3rd digit) body plates and the body plate is not an indication of engine type installed.

• The SS series was produced with both the L6 engine and the V8 engine in both the 2 door sport coupe and convertible models. Hence, even numbered series/model (e.g., 13837) is assumed to be a V8 series while odd numbered series/model (e.g., 13737) are assumed to be a L6 series for production figures.

• 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 web site.

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

• ATL ~ Atlanta, Georgia ~ El Camino
   
  Click either tag for Atlanta more examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Has dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Separates lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Includes group option 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.
  • The Fisher Body plant at Euclid, OH. supplied El Camino bodies to Atlanta for final assembly.
• BAL ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino
   
  Click either tag for more Baltimore examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Does NOT have a dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Only one tag does NOT separate lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Does NOT list option codes in groups but rather as a row of numbers above the plant id code denoting the trim tag broadcast sheet number.
  • Malibu convertible tag (13667) does NOT state "Body By Fisher". Lists trim color of 721 that does not appear in GM documentation. The only colors listed in sales literature available with Mist Blue (D) are 766 Fawn and 742 Blue. The 742 Blue does not appear in GM trim combination list.
  • One example of "13837" on the body tag and "13737" on the VIN with very late 1965 build date of August, 3rd week as noted by VIN 187999.
  • The Z16 prototype was assembled at Baltimore, all production Z16 series were built at Kansas City.
• BF ~ Fremont, California ~ El Camino
   
  Click either tag for more Fremont examples...
  • Fremont has several variations of showing unit's color and wheel colors.
  • Assembly month not padded with leading zero where applicable until July, 1965 then assembly month is padded with leading zero.
  • Does NOT have a dash character (-) after interior trim color. However, they do include the GM letter code for the rest of the interior trim paint color.
  • Does NOT separate lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Does NOT list option codes in groups but rather as a row of numbers after ACC.
  • The only assembly plant to use the text, "THIS CAR FINISHED WITH Magic Mirror ACRYLIC LACQUER" above the "BODY BY FISHER" line.
  • The only assembly plant to use the text "DETROIT, MICHIGAN" and "CHEVROLET DIV. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION" instead of simply "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION"
  • Some have a space between the second and third letter of the paint code showing wheel color. Most Malibu SS cars do not show a wheel color although a few do for some reason. This 3-letter paint code practice appears to be random in June and July for all models except, the El Camino that appears to consistently use 3-letter paint codes.
  • Also interesting to note that convertibles did not include the top color on the body plate but continued with a two-letter paint code.
  • Vinyl top equipped sport coupes did not include the top color on the body plate but continued with a two-letter paint code.
  • One body plate dated July of 1965 is a completely different style. More like the 1966 model year although early 1966 body plates (pre January, 1966) retained 1965 style of information presented.
• EUC ~ Euclid, Ohio ~ El Camino
  
  Click either tag for more Euclid examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Euclid, Ohio continued to supply bodies to Atlanta, Baltimore and Kansas City even though these plants had their own 1965 body plant. The  2-door, 2-seat 300 station wagons and El Caminos were the most common series/styles supplied. Final assembly plant is usually  noted by a single letter in the upper right hand corner; "A" for Atlanta, "B" for Baltimore and "K" for Kansas City.
• FRA ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
  
  Click tag for more Framingham examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Has dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Includes group option codes.
  • Mysterious "P" code found in Group 4 options.
• KAN ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino
   
  Click either tag for more Kansas City examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Has dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Includes group option codes.
  • Several production Z16 body plates included.
  • Mysterious "P" code found in Group 4 options.
  • El Camino tags have been found with both KAN and EUC Fisher Body plants.
• OS ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
  
  Click tag for more Oshawa examples...
  • Wording and data presentation is different than any U.S. assembly plant.
  • Body date is completely different from U.S. assembly plant counterparts. Instead of a month and week letter, a real date is shown such as 4-13 for April 13. There is also a number ("1" or "2") preceding the date. It's been reported this leading number is a shift number for the Oshawa plant.
  • RPO codes for options requiring some type of modification are listed on the tag such as B70, C06, M35, etc. much like U.S. plants (Atlanta, Framingham & Kansas City) that use group codes.
  • A single letter is used for paint code. If it is a convertible, the top color will be listed with the RPO codes with wording such as TOP10 where '10' is the code for a black top.
    

This is a typical example of a 1965 Chevelle trim/cowl tag for a Kansas City, MO. assembled Malibu SS Sport Coupe. Assembly plant body number plates varied from plant to plant in how the information was presented.

Just to tease a bit, here is a 300 Deluxe 4-dr sedan trim tag from General Motors Continental Antwerp.

Anyone having a clear picture of 1965 Chevelle Body Number Plates (trim tags) and/or Protect-O-Plates, please contact me here.