Looked at a couple of LS6's on the weekend and discussed with the owner how to document original cars. I am actually looking more for an LS5 car but I guess having a build sheet is the best method. Are there repro build sheets out there or how do we know if a build sheet is original?? Did all production plants put build sheets in the cars and did the sheets all have a similar look to them? Being new to the chevelle documentation thing ,I dont want to make a mistake in buying a car that is not what its supposed to be.

A build sheet or protecto plate (POP) is the best way to document a car. There are reproduction build sheets out there, but I haven't seen one that looked original yet, so you can tell the difference. Go to www.dalesplace.com (http://www.dalesplace.com) and check out the examples that Dale (member here) has posted. I don't think all cars got build sheets, but alot did.
Also, find someone in the know that can look at a car with you or for you before you shell out the bucks for an LS5 or LS6 car.

My understanding is that build sheets were used all over the place to support the correct construction of these cars at the plant. They were stuck in various places on cars as they moved down the line, and often times stayed there as the car was built.

Now, 30-40 years later, we get lucky if we find them. The sheets served no purpose once the car rolled out off the factory line. The fact that we still find them is just luck on our part.

It seems to me that people with cars from the Arlington, Texas plant often times DON'T find build sheets, for whatever reason.

Dale McIntosh has images of a lot of build sheets on his website. They look similar but not the same.

Are their "repros" (i.e. fakes)? You bet! There was a car on eBay just a few days ago with an obviously faked build sheet. Look at the two I found in my car on the "Pedrigree" section of my website and also look at Dale's site to get a feel for what they are supposed to look like.

It'll look pretty old, and probably a little nasty! For sure they won't be printed with a laser printer :rolleyes:

double post, sorry

Probably the easiest way to tell a fake buildsheet is to look at the fonts. Look at almost every buildsheet I have at http://www.chevellestuff.com/70velle/70_build.htm and the VIN (and with some plants, the JOB SEQUENCE NUMBER in block 1) looks like it's stamped in the upper right (or left) instead of the printer font used on the rest of the sheet.

All plants used the same sheet, but not all plants coded each block the same way. Also, be suspect of any buildsheet that's too nice; no water stains, seat spring rust marks, etc.

Dale,

My 70 Chevelle, Atlanta built, had its BS pasted to the back side of the interior door panel and was in very nice shape. Not too much of the environment can get to it back there. I have left it there as it may be damaged by attempting to remove it. Unfortunately I will be replacing the door panels as they are a bit worn but will carefully store the panel with BS in a safe place.

Sam

Great info on the build sheets how about the protect o plate? Are they a good way to document a car or can they be reproduced also? Some cars will not have a build sheet so if there is only the plate can it be reliable?

70-chevelle

POPs are an excellent way to support the originality of your car. They are primarily focused on drivetrain components (engine application, carburetor manufacturer, transmission, and rear end. There is also reference to some of the car's options. Unfortunately, they too can be counterfeited. My understanding is that there are POP plate makers circulating around and for the right price they can be made. To counter this, I find it is important to do a thorough history research on a car - get the names of as many previous owners and work back. Every car has an unusual story that may not be evident to you when you are inspecting it. Previous owners (prior to the guy you are buying from) usually have nothing to lose by telling the sordid details of the cars past.

Good luck,
Sam

hey guys, someone told a friend of mine something about a code 514?? on the build sheet??

Originally posted by 70-chevelle:
Great info on the build sheets how about the protect o plate? Are they a good way to document a car or can they be reproduced also? Some cars will not have a build sheet so if there is only the plate can it be reliable? As Sam said, POP stamping machines have even been on eBay. If it's still attached to the warranty booklet, you might be able to tell just from the aged look of the book and the aged look of the handwriting. The dealer also (normally) put the name and address of the original owner on the POP via a label-maker. Not always, but many I've seen (and have photos of) do have them. I have many examples on my ChevelleStuff web.

Some of the information you will find on a "POP" is the name and address of the original owner and dealership that sold the car. I used that information to track down and contact the original owner. That information is priceless! I was able to learn why he bought the car, how long he owned it, if he raced it, and a bunch of other q's I got answered. I later reached the dealership. Same dealership location, but new ownership.

I was lucky that my 17,000 mile LS6 had both the protecto plate and build sheet. I am the one that found the build sheet in the rear bench. It is a Baltimore built LS6.

Bottom line: If you do not have documentation there really is no hard evidence the car is what you are being told it is.