Hey everyone, I am hoping to get some conflicting info cleared up regarding my VIN and Data plate numbers. I am new to decoding so please bear with me.
The Year One catalog I have (2005) has VIN and data tag decoding info on page 6&7. It conflicts with info I have found in this site. The build sequence number to be exact.
The Year One info says the build numbers start at 100001 and climb from there.
The info on Nasty Z28 says it starts at 500001 and climb from that point.
Which is correct?

My VIN is 124870L508163.
Does this mean my car is the 8163rd L.A. coupe built?
The sequence number on the data plate is 07820.
Time build code is 02D (Feb. fourth week)
Based on what I see, do I have a very early production car for 1970?
I don't know anything about the strike issues back then and what plants were affected.
TR=711 PNT=53B

Camaro Gold, Black Vinyl Top, Black standard interior. It has an auto with console, NO A/C, the guage cluster has the idiot lights not guages, front and rear sway bars, ten bolt rear, the engine block is not original but the rear end and trans appear to be correct.
I bought it with the original paint and interior intact. I was told it is an original RS car but I have not found a build sheet yet. I hope it's there somewhere. (it does have the RS package on it)
Thanks for any help on this, I really appreciate it!

NastyZ28 is correct. The 70 Camaro VIN started at 500,001 Yes, your car would be the 8,163rd Camaro built at Van Nuys in 1970. The 70 Camaro was late being produced. It started in January of 1970 instead of August or Sept of 1969 like most 1970 models, so for a 70 Camaro, a February built car was an early car.

The sequence number on the data plate is 07820

That number has nothing to do with the car production sequence. That number was assigned by the central office when the order was accepted, not when the body when built. Body numbers from cars that were built at the same time can vary significantly, depending on how quickly the order was fulfilled and what plant produced it.

The reason for the late intro of the 1970 models had nothing to do with a strike. It was because the dies used to stamp out the sheet metal had problems that delayed plant setup. Norwood continued to build 1969 models into Dec of 1969 so that rules out any strike. It was just production problems with the new body.

Yeah from what I understand (and has already been explained above) is that the number on the trim plate should be close to the production sequence on the vin, but won't necessarily match.

Here's mine for instance, probably one of the earliest '70's around.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/dwright406/Camaro/100_5630.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/dwright406/Camaro/100_5631.jpg

Thank you all for the great info. This clears things up for me.

I'm not sure why I thought it was a strike that held up production.

I have one other question.
Is there a difference between Norwood built and Van Nuys built cars?

I see alot of people with Norwood cars that make a point of where the cars were made. I can't remember ever seeing a L.A. made car being pointed out just for that.

Just curious. I like 'em all anyway. This is my 5th Camaro. I have had cars from both plants but it never made any difference to me.
68 rs 327 4 sp. -wrecked (still kicking myself for that, at least I took out a Ford with it)
74 coupe 350 auto -sold
79 rs 305 auto -sold to best friend then wrecked
95 coupe V6 5 sp Z/28 apperance package, t-tops - stolen and not recovered
1970 rs 350 auto,console,no AC, - this ones a keeper.

thanks again,
Eric