1970 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

  • It is a proven fact that for 1970 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.

  • 1970 continued the Concours Estate wagon the 13836/46 series designation as well as the newly introduced Monte Carlo 2-door sport coupe with series designation 13857.

  • The SS option package (RPO Z25) was dropped from the 300 Deluxe series 2-door hardtop & 2-door sedan and was limited to the Malibu series 2-door hardtop, convertible, and sedan pickup. 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. The Monte Carlo only offered the SS454 package (RPO Z20) with the 454 engine.
    * Strong evidence, yes.
    * Proof, no.

  • 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.)

  • A ~ Atlanta, Georgia
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Almost all have a hand-stamped number visible. This is an Final inspection stamp indicating the vehicle was ready for shipment.
    • Two pair of 6-digit numbers are found on the last line. These are data processing tracking numbers and have no significance today. The first 6-digit group and the last 4 digits of the second 6-digit group are found on the build sheet in block 24. The first 2 digits of the second 6-digit group are found on the build sheet in block 10. Matching the Fisher Body plate to the build sheet for an Atlanta Chevelle is shown here.
      File Photo
  • B ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable
    • All examples of 2-door sport coupes (37) and 2-door convertibles (67) have either the letter "B" or the letters "B" and "D" following the assembly date. The meaning of these letters is not known. It is suspected the "D" is for SS cars but not confirmed.
    • Numbers following plant designation code (B for Baltimore) are not the body number shown on the build sheet (in this case BB00292) but rather the first 6-digit number from block 24.
    • The 4-digit number at the bottom right is a data processing tracking number and has no significance today. This number is found in block 24 of the build sheet.
      File Photo
  • BL ~ Van Nuys, California ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month not padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Two pair of 6-digit numbers are found on the last line. These are data processing tracking numbers and have no significance today. The first 6-digit group and the last 4 digits of the second 6-digit group are found on the build sheet in block 24. The first 2 digits of the second 6-digit group are found on the build sheet in block 10.
  • BT ~ Arlington, Texas
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Three digit number after assembly date is a data processing tracking number and has no significance today. The number is found in block 10 of the build sheet.
  • FL2 ~ Flint, Michigan
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • No data processing numbers other than the body identification is found on Flint body plates.
  • KAN ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • A 5-digit number follows the assembly date. This is a data processing tracking number and has no significance today.
    • Controversy continues over the letter "L" that appears after the data processing number. Of the examples I have, the letter "L" appears on every SS-optioned Chevelle Malibu EXCEPT one and does not appear on Chevelle Malibus known NOT to be SS-optioned. Other Chevelle owners have stated they have seen the "L" on other known non SS-optioned Chevelles and not just the Malibu series. Other body plates are displayed with the letter "Z" or no letter at all.
  • OS ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    • Assembly month NOT padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • 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.