1972 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

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  • In-depth analysis of 1972 Fisher Body Number Plates

  • Decode your 1972 Chevelle Fisher Body Number Plate

  • Generally, in 1972 the series/model designation on the trim tag 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. Baltimore, Kansas City, and Van Nuys are the only three known plants to match the Fisher Body style number with the series/model of the VIN. Arlington is not certain and only the Vehicle Identification Number plate should be used to determine whether the model was delivered with a V8 or L6 engine. It should be noted however that Arlington did code trim tag with an odd 3rd digit in 1971 so one can assume they continued this into 1972 but since none have appeared as of yet, it's still uncertain.

  • The SS option package (RPO Z25) continued with any optional V8 on a Chevelle sport coupe, convertible, or pickup.

  • While the Vehicle Identification Number format changed for 1972, the Fisher Body Number plate remained essentially the same with only typical variations between the assembly plants.

  • Trim code numbers were the same for bench or bucket seat style unlike previous years where bench and bucket seat trim codes were different for the same material. Bench seat styles will have the code A52 following the trim number and bucket seat styles will have the code A51.

  • Oshawa joined Arlington & Van Nuys with their trim tag physical size of 1-3/4" x 4" while Baltimore & Kansas City remained true to their 2-3/16" x 3-1/2" tags.

    1972 model year plant 1-3/4" x 4" 2-3/16" x 3-1/2"
    Oshawa yes  
    Arlington yes  
    Van Nuys (Los Angeles) yes  
    Baltimore   yes
    Kansas City   yes

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

  • R ~ Arlington, Texas

    Click tag for more Arlington examples...
    • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
    • Four digit number after assembly date is a data processing tracking number and has no significance today. The number is found in block 10.
    • Special paint trim tags show blank space(s) but will have vinyl or convertible top color as applicable.
  • B ~ Baltimore, Maryland ~ El Camino
     
    Click either tag for more Baltimore examples...
    • 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.
    • Special paint trim tags show dash character(s).
  • K ~ Kansas City, Missouri ~ El Camino
     
    Click either tag for more Kansas City examples...
    • 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. The first 4 digits are found in block 24 on build sheet but the 5th digit is unknown.
    • Some tags have a letter or letters following the date such as "L", "B", etc. The meaning of the "L" letter is unknown. Many suspect the "L" indicates an SS-optioned Chevelle but there are examples of known SS optioned Chevelles without this designation on the tag for 1971. A "B" or "W" following the "L" denotes D88 stripe color.
    • Special paint trim tags show dash character(s) or could contain the standard GM number if applicable such as 19 19 for Tuxedo Black or 47 47 for the Corvette Elkhart Green.
    • A 5-digit numbers is found on the last line. This is a data processing tracking number and has no significance today. Note the first 4 digits of this number are found in block 24. The body number is found in block 8. Note the Fisher Body style number, 13637 in this case, was still being used by Fisher Body even though GM changed the format of the VIN, 1D37 in this case.

  • L ~ Los Angeles, California ~ El Camino
     
    Click either tag for more Los Angeles examples...
    • 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.
    • One special paint trim tag shows an unknown paint code of WA5896; another shows 926-BN618.
  • OS ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

    Click tag for more Oshawa examples...
    • 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.