Dough Head Question

[DRTH VTR]

What, exactly is the 'protecto-plate'?

 

[JohnZ]

It's an Addressograph-embossed steel plate that was affixed to the Warranty Booklet at the assembly plant that contained the car's VIN, production date, and all the source/date codes for the engine, transmission, rear axle, and carburetor, plus the exterior paint code and interior trim code. The delivering dealer made up three more lines with the buyer's name and address with a Dymo tape machine and stuck those on the plate. When any repair was made under warranty, the Protect-O-Plate was used with an imprint machine to show that data on the service work order so the GM warranty people had all the original production and component data for the car.