1969 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

  • It is a proven fact that for 1969 the series/model designation 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. One 1969 documented example is an Atlanta built 13427 300 2-Door Sedan trim tag style and a VIN of 13327.

  • 1969 saw the demise of the SS396 as a separate 138xx series although the Concours Estate wagon continued with the 13836/46 series designation.

  • The SS option package (RPO Z25) became an option just like a radio, air conditioning, full wheel covers, etc. The SS option was limited to the 300 Deluxe series 2-door hardtop, 2-door sedan, and Malibu series 2-door hardtop, convertible, and El Camino. Although there are theories about certain letters appearing on certain final assembly plant body number plates indicating the SS option was installed on the car, there is NO PROOF in the form of GM documentation.
    * Strong evidence, yes.
    * Proof, no.
    If you would like to contribute to the ongoing research concerning 1969 Chevelle tags, please contact andrew710@aol.com with specifics about your tag - assembly plant, body date, letter codes, etc. Pictures preferred but a pencil rubbing  will work fine as well. If you have other documentation of the car being an SS optioned Chevelle, it is welcomed as well.

  • Indications are the body numbers are sequential for the particular series/model per plant at some plants but not all.

  • 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
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Two hand stamped numbers; meaning unknown but speculation is the body assembly jig number.
    • No additional data processing tracking numbers.
  • BAL ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable
    • Various machine stamped 1 and 2 digit numbers; meaning unknown but speculation is the body assembly jig number.
    • Most non-El Camino body styles have two letters machine stamped after the body date; "B M", "B L"; some have one letter, some have no letter: meaning unknown but many suspect the "L" is indicative of a SS optioned Chevelle. To date, all verified SS optioned cars have the letter "L" and those known to NOT be SS optioned do not have it. This is actively being researched. The letter "B" appears to only be applicable to the sport coupe model.
    • El Camino body styles normally have three letters machine stamped after the body date; "BFM" and "BFL" being the most predominate.
    • Six-digit data processing code on last line. First three digits meaning is unknown but second three digits are trim inspection sequence number found on trim card.
  • BF ~ Fremont, California ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Two sets of 6-digit data processing numbers on last line.
      •  First set from block 24 of the build sheet.
      • Second set is combination - first two from block 10 and last four from block 24 of build sheet
    • Lists RPO Code B80 (Roof Drip Molding) where applicable on 13637 styles; Custom El Camino (13680) include the RPO code B90 (Door Window Frame Molding) as well.
  • FM ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Two hand stamped numbers; meaning unknown but speculation is the body assembly jig number.
    • No additional data processing tracking numbers.
  • KAN ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Very early tag (09A) differs from 09C and later tags.
    • Five digit number follows body assembly date; meaning unknown.
    • The letter "L" appears on many tags, "X" or "Z" also appear on 300 Deluxe model specific. Speculation is this "L" indicates a SS-optioned Chevelle but no proof to date this is true. It does appear on every Hugger Orange and Daytona Yellow painted cars and those two colors were only available as regular production options on SS-optioned Chevelles. This is actively being researched. There is one Kansas City tag (01E) of a Malibu without this "L" on this site. One reader says he has a 69 SS from Kansas City without the "L" but no photographic proof was offered. Whether these are anomalies or proof the "L" does not mean an SS-optioned Chevelle, I'll leave up to the reader.
  • OS ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    • Assembly month NOT added with leading zero where applicable.
    • Paint codes have standard 2-digit number for lower color and a 1-digit/1-letter for upper color. Convertible top colors are designated with the number "1" and a letter for the color. Vinyl top colors are designated with the number "2" and a letter for the color. Paint color names differ from U.S.-built paint color names. Canadian color name is listed with U.S.-built color name in parentheses.
    • Some RPO codes are listed on the body plate making it easy to identify a SS-optioned Malibu built in Oshawa.
    • The text "MADE IN CANADA" appears along the top of the tag instead of "BODY BY FISHER" on U.S. tags. The text "BODY BY FISHER" is also right-justified on the lower portion of the tag as opposed to being centered