I have a 1972 Camaro SS that was built in Norway.There is a number on the
cowl tag (16) and I don't know what it's for or what it means. Unlike the other numbers and letters that are raised, these are punched down into the plate. It's located close to the rivet on the right side.
Looks like this


ST 12487 nor 104340

TR 785 26 B

08D A51 Z27

-------------------16
Sorry it wouldn't let me put the 16 were I wanted it without something in front of it...

Also the 2&7 in Z27 are nearly on top of each other is that common?

Other people have posted here and also on other Chevy sites about these mysterious numbers stamped on cowl tags. They appear to be stamped after the car was assembled, and nobody to my knowledge has come up with an accurate meaning of the numbers.
Some people claim they were added by some dealers to identify cars, possibly for some kind of warranty work.
So, the number probably means very little because they weren't something done regularly by GM and aren't documented.

Could be with the location of the cowl tag the hood would haft to be off to hit it with some type of punch.

I have a 1972 Camaro SS that was built in Norway. WOW! that car is a long way from home. maybe its another of the missing "8" special cars http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158194

WOW! that car is a long way from home. maybe its another of the missing "8" special cars http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158194


Sorry I meant Norwood

here ya go sir.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/rickcact/DSC_0315.jpg

here ya go sir.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n291/rickcact/DSC_0315.jpg


And thanks to Rick I have a picutre of my Cowl tag up. Thanks Rick. Now can someone tell me about the 2&7 nearly being on top of each other in Z27. And of course the number 16 punched into it. With the Z27 I know they had a die problem in 1969 and 1970 with the middle figure missing on one of the Z code cars, but on top of each other was a new on on me..

what is the vin on that car if you dont mind me asking . with a build date of august of 71, that car must of been one of the first 72s off the line it would have a vin of 1Q87K2n1000000000000001

I have had 2 cars with a stamping like yours as well. One was a 71-SS, and the other a 72 Z-28. I think that they had a 12 & 14 on them. I thought that it may have been a dealer zone code, but the numbers didn't jive with those either. I knew where both cars were sold new, and the zones were way off.

what is the vin on that car if you dont mind me asking . with a build date of august of 71, that car must of been one of the first 72s off the line it would have a vin of 1Q87K2n1000000000000001


Yea it's close number is 103134
I think that makes it the 3133 Camaro off the line.

I have had 2 cars with a stamping like yours as well. One was a 71-SS, and the other a 72 Z-28. I think that they had a 12 & 14 on them. I thought that it may have been a dealer zone code, but the numbers didn't jive with those either. I knew where both cars were sold new, and the zones were way off.

Where were your cars sold. And do you know how I can find out were my car was sold other than going to talk to each owner, till I get to the first one?

Some people claim they were added by some dealers to identify cars, possibly for some kind of warranty work.

Often times car are built and a problem is found or some other aspect that requires the car to be modified or something changed on the car (new door hinges for instance) before it can leave the plant. The 16 could be a way for the plant to mark a car that either needs the work or had the work completed and was approved to ship. The stamping on the trim plate may indicate it was related to the body in some way

But just more speculation but cars did have assembly problems especially early in the model ramp up. Any VIN below 10,000 was still early in the build process where they were ramping up to full speed on the lines. For instance the new 2010 Camaro's had a major problem with some and they were held back for months till each and every car could be checked and modified. They were even shipped from Oshawa to Flint for the modifications, then shipped back to Oshawa to be shipped on to the dealers. Chevy will not say what those were but many a customer was waiting and some still are for cars built back in April.

Here's a picture of the cowl tag from my 72 LS3 car with the #14 stamped in it. I've seen these same numbers more than once and nobody really knows what they mean...... DEFINETELY NOT A COPO THING. This has been discussed before!
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o12/trekk5500/e4_3.jpg

Thanks for showing the picture of your tag. Looks like the size of the numbers are the same size as the ones on mine.
But your tag does rule out one thing, the early production problem theory that was mentioned by someone. If it's a dealer thing maybe someone knows someone that worked as a mechanic or body man at the dealer during this time that might could tell us?

I have seen these stamps on cars from 1964 up on Chevelles, GTO etc and from more that one plant.

Its probably just Inspector #14.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/65-13837_BF_1007.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/138176Z125895.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/0855_3.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/136176A132713.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/138177A179956.jpg

It could be. On the 70-73 camaro you would think the hood would haft to be off the car to punch the numbers in. I think next time Barrett Jackson auction comes on I'll shoot them an email about it and see if that Steve guy that decodes the cars knows. I don't think it's anything special just bugs me that I can't find out what it is. Also thought about emailing Super Chevy magazine about it.

I own a 1972 Z28 with the number 1 stamped in approximately the same location as the 16 on your cowl tag. Ive always wondered what these stampings were about myself. If you or anyone finds out what these stampings were please post the answer here.

I have seen these stamps on cars from 1964 up on Chevelles, GTO etc and from more that one plant.

Its probably just Inspector #14.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/65-13837_BF_1007.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/138176Z125895.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/0855_3.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/136176A132713.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb222/Z15_34396/Old%20Auto%20Related/138177A179956.jpg

Mike, I noticed on a couple of the tags you posted have a small hole punched in them. I read in my GTO Restoration Guide, that denotes shoulder belt provisions. Guess they started that in '65-'66.:bowtie: