cant figure out codes-help

[TAS9966]

For the life of me I cant figure out all of the codes on the metal tag inside driver door. It reads B 08D 105877
l81 39L 39U
I thought I would ask the experts you!!!! I know the 105877 is Vin this one would be made in Bowling Green. I can tell you my vette 1981 coupe is now red, charcoal carpet, black seats. Thanks for your help in advance.
Tom

 

[CQRT]

TAS:
I'm with you on being puzzled-- in referencing the following website:
http://www.100megsfree4.com/corvette/1980/vet81.htm it indicates that B= 1981, and although charcoal metallic is paint code 84, they used different codes for the two-tone cars with silver/charcoal 33/39 . . . is it logical that U and L indicate upper and lower?
Your car would appear to have been built late enough in the first year Bowling Green cycle (100001 to 108995) that "one-off" codes or markings shouldn't have been used.
I doubt I've added any clarity to your search at this point - - it'll be interesting to see what others more intimate with the specifics of that year can contribute.

Regards-

 

[bill81vette]

I think this is how it is read....
B-1981 model year,08 would refer to august,D would refer to the 4th week of the month.

as for the other letters/numbers the only only code that i can find is that one of the 39's represents the charcoal interior..I think its the middle but not sure... cant get the I81 to match up either...sorry
someone will chime in who can figure em out better than I can!!!:confused

bill

 

[mkapp7879]

105877 is the sequence code, the 1 being for Bowling Green, actually 51 for BG and S4 for St.L.
39L and 39U means your Vette was originally charcoal metallic. (upper and lower to distinguish two tone Vettes)
I'm sure someone else will jump in to help out.
Mike

OK again! Bill81 straightened me out on the coding on the BG Vettes. Just ignore me today, should have stayed in bed! Will delete what I entered wrong so as not to confuse! Thanks Bill.
Not much left!

 

[JohnZ]

For the life of me I cant figure out all of the codes on the metal tag inside driver door. It reads B 08D 105877
l81 39L 39U
I thought I would ask the experts you!!!! I know the 105877 is Vin this one would be made in Bowling Green. I can tell you my vette 1981 coupe is now red, charcoal carpet, black seats. Thanks for your help in advance.
Tom

B 08 D = body build date - 4th week of August, 1981

181 - sure it's not 191? (there was no 181 code in '81, and no black interior); 191 was charcoal leather. 181 was charcoal leather in '82.

39L 39U - sure it's not 39L 33U (charcoal/silver)? I don't show 39 (charcoal) as being available as a solid exterior color until '82.

The VIN shows (from the NCRS charts) that the car was produced on September 15th, but the body build date on your tag is in August. :confused

 

[bill81vette]

39U /39Lrefers to charcoal metallic,exterior color!

found it on pg 129 of the NCRS technial manual!!1980-1982 appendix

l81 39L 39U

the first 3 digits... i cant find

 

[bill81vette]

mkapp7879... you have mail!!!



bill

 

[mkapp7879]

Thanks Bill. Undid my info to avoid confusion.
Mike

 

[craig32]

Bowling Green codes

Tom,
I also have a BG car. I was unfamiliar with the first few digits until a few minutes ago. However - the bottom line, the first 3 are the interior color - BG uses ones instead of twos - 181 is 182 Charcoal leather. My car was originally a two tone red, but the tag reads 80L 80U also, followed by 98N and E. I read the E is the designation for two tone paint, anf the fourth set of numbers is the accent color. By the way, being a Bowling Green car, you know you can order the build sheet from the museum, right?? They cost $40, and you can get a reproduction window sticker for $30, laminated for another $5. Hope this helps.
Craig

 

[Yoda]

I posted to the L81VetteRegistry forums (above the General C3 Forums) some information about our 1981 Color Codes and numbers for each plant

1981 Trim Tag Numbers Break Down

Bud

 

[mkapp7879]

Not to get off track, but I have a question regarding the BG two tone Vettes. The 78 two tones, the SA and Pace Car, were painted all one color and the second color was applied over the first color. Were the BG cars painted the same way or were they painted top only then bottom only then clearcoated? I think I noticed that the BG door jambs are two tone unlike my 78s.
Mike

 

[TAS9966]

John, Mike,Craig,Bill, and Bud, thank you all for the great info! You Know Im sitting here in St Louis with about 4 inches of snow on the ground, temp about 12 on a sunday, my Rams got pounded by Atlanta last night:cry what better way to take my mind off things than to talk about Corvettes. I will order a build sheet from Corvette museum but today i knew somebody would have the answere as I can only look at my vette in the garage right now. Anyway, thank you all for the info!!!

Tom

 

[craig32]

Mike,
From what I can tell from the build sheet and trim tag, the car was painted one color, and the bottom color was added, as well as a stripe. BTW, Wilcox Corvette determined my interior was in fact '82 red' . . .

Tom,
I drove mine yesterday, it's snowing here today! I'm a hockey fan, so you know how it's going for me - except for my new 'hobby' to keep me occupied this winter. . .

Bud,
If my '81 was built in October 1981, when did they build the '82's???
Craig

 

[Yoda]

Bud,
If my '81 was built in October 1981, when did they build the '82's???
Craig

I guess I don't understand your question.. As you probably know, from the sounds of your response... Bowling Green stopped mfr. of the 81's August 31, 1981. I guess your car's code is something like B 10 C ???

Did you plug your number into the NCRS build calculator?? It's frustrating at times, but someday, hopefully we can find and collect all the information about the 1981 Corvette and provide accurate information for our Registry Members.

Bud Dougherty
Modesto, CA

 

[craig32]

Hi Bud,
No, I didn't know manufacturing of the 81 stopped on Aug. 31st - my tag says B 10 A - I used the build calculator you linked to, and it said 'October 15, 1981. On my build sheet in box # 10 (sched. no. date) it has 53-8124, and 10-07. Sorry to 'thread-jack' on ya TAS9966, I guess we're never too old to learn.
Craig

 

[KANE]

I think this is how it is read....
B-1981 model year,08 would refer to august,D would refer to the 4th week of the month.

as for the other letters/numbers the only only code that i can find is that one of the 39's represents the charcoal interior..I think its the middle but not sure... cant get the I81 to match up either...sorry
someone will chime in who can figure em out better than I can!!!:confused

bill

Leather or cloth. That's usally assigned with the interior code. L looks like an I sometimes.

 

[TAS9966]

I Plugged my vin number into the NCRS build calculator and it said Sept 15, although my tag refers to 08 4th week, close enough I guess.
Tom

 

[Yoda]

I don't know how to explain these inconsistancy's :confused

Hopefully JohnZ or Fuelie or one of the other veteran Corvette folks can shed some light on this for us. Even all the research Mike Antonick does and has done leave's questions unanswered...

In my mind, the Data Base we are collecting at the Registry should be as accurate as possible, and the Registry is learning with each unique Trim Code question.

Thanks for your response's and help

Bud

 

[bill81vette]

bud.. the NCRS tech manual,80-82 shows 1981 bowling green vettes as late as oct.81 as well as 82's being built in oct....perhaps october was the actual cut off date for the 81's..



bill

 

[Yoda]

THANKS Bill

I'll note this. I've never gotten evolved in NCRS, maybe it's time I reconsider

Bud