1971 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

  • It is a proven fact that for 1971 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.

  • The SS option package (RPO Z25) was changed from a performance option to more of a dress-up option. Any optional V8 could be ordered with the SS option on a Chevelle sport coupe, convertible, or sedan pickup. The Monte Carlo only offered the SS454 package (RPO Z20) with the 454 engine.

  • 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.

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

  • R ~ 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.
  • B ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino/GMC Sprint
    • 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.
    • 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.
  • K ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino/GMC Sprint
    • 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.
  • L ~ Los Angeles, California ~ El Camino/GMC Sprint
    • 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.
  • 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.