Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

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alangary
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2020 9:43 pm

Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

Post by alangary »

I am new to Corvairs and in the market to buy my first. I'm wanting to know as much as I can, and start with these more trivial issues. I ran across this today and it prompts these questions.

I have a photo of the body tag from the engine compartment showing 12B in the upper left quadrant, that I am decoding as the 2nd week in December.
However the Protecto Plate found in the glove box with original manual etc., shows delivery on 8-25-66.
This means the build date would have been in December of 1965, right?, as there would be no builds for 66 models in December of 1966.
1. Is there a year printed anywhere for the build date on the tag, or are we left to just recognize this when we see it?
2. Anyone know what month of the year production generally ended for a given model year? Are there any months we would never see on a build date?

Secondly, it shows the assembly plant in L.A. but delivery in Kansas City. Does that seem odd, since there is a plant in Kansas City? I'm just curious how far cars could be shipped to dealers from the points of assembly. Does this LA to Kansas City journey seem possible?

Thanks!
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azdave
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Re: Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

Post by azdave »

Yes. 12B on your tag would be the second week of December 1965 when they were building 1966 model-year cars. It just took until August 66 to sell. Usually it was over the summer when production changed model years so you won't see build dates around then.

No late model Corvairs were built in Kansas City.
Dave W. from Gilbert, AZ

66 Corsa 140/4 Yenko Stinger Tribute
66 Corsa 140 Coupe w/factory A/C
65 Monza 4DR 140/PG w/factory A/C
65 Monza 4DR EJ20T/5
64 Greenbrier 110/PG, Standard 6-Door
alangary
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2020 9:43 pm

Re: Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

Post by alangary »

Thanks, Dave. I'm really pleased to discover this wonderful network of enthusiasts. What a great resource. It only took me 50+ years to discover the appeal of this car! Now, I just need to find one! Looking for a 66-67 coupe or sedan with automatic transmission in good condition, the more original the better.....
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azdave
Corvair of the Year
Corvair of the Year
Posts: 2095
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 1:27 pm
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Re: Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

Post by azdave »

alangary wrote: Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:39 pm Thanks, Dave. I'm really pleased to discover this wonderful network of enthusiasts. What a great resource. It only took me 50+ years to discover the appeal of this car! Now, I just need to find one! Looking for a 66-67 coupe or sedan with automatic transmission in good condition, the more original the better.....
If you want a Corvair that is easy to keep original then look for a 65 because the correct parts are the most readily available for them. They made about 80,000 more of those in 65 than in the last four years combined!

A 66 is the next best choice in my opinion. In 67, many things began to change such as doors and hinges that will only fit a 67 and interior changes that are unique to that year. Much harder to find the correct parts as you pick a later year.

1965 235,528
1966 103,743
1967 27,253
1968 15,399
1969 6,000

This 66 Sport Sedan is currently for sale from a well respected member on Corvair Center. It's a 110 engine with an automatic. He has a huge thread documenting much of the work done on the car. Here is the sale ad.
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,1094581
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20190219_095026 - Resized.jpg
Dave W. from Gilbert, AZ

66 Corsa 140/4 Yenko Stinger Tribute
66 Corsa 140 Coupe w/factory A/C
65 Monza 4DR 140/PG w/factory A/C
65 Monza 4DR EJ20T/5
64 Greenbrier 110/PG, Standard 6-Door
alangary
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2020 9:43 pm

Re: Body Tag Build Date and Assembly

Post by alangary »

Thanks again for the insight. That makes sense about the 65s. I'll open up my search to include them. Just a matter of time. I'm sure it's out there.
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