I have a '69 Malibu. Most of the trim tag is fine, but just some odd points.

My interior code is 791B. I know that 791 is for a Parchment Bucket interior. What could the B mean? I'm wondering since I've seen a lot of different cloth patterns on seats from the '60s ... Could this be one of those special patterns, that are not reproduced in a standard style seat cover?

The other odd part is the sequence number from Box24 on the Build Sheet. Mine is 379_5, where there is a space where _ is. I've never seen one that did not have a 5-digit number there. While I'm thinking about it, maybe it was just an error with the stamping machine that didn't punch this number.

Unfortunately I do not believe I have a build sheet in my car to compare it to ... so all of these questions are hard to answer.

Thanks, Neal

On 2nd line trim tag

TR 791B or 791-B
Where 791 is the trim number and B is seat type code, TR stands for TRim. Sometimes there is a - between the trim code and the seat code


CHEVROLET SEAT TYPE CODES as opposed to the trim code which were 3 numbers. Some trim codes came in different seat types
A--1964-67--Bench
B--1964-68--Bucket
D--1966-----Bench, Strato
H--1967-----Bench, trim code determines standard/deluxe Interior
Y--1967-----Bucket, Headrests
Z--1967-----Bucket, trim code determines standard/deluxe Interior

Beginning in 1969, Chevelle assembly plants didn't normally put the 'A' or 'B' code after the trim number as, in your case, the 791 was a bucket seat number only anyway and 790 being the same color/material for the bench seat. In 1968, only two Chevelle assembly plants, Baltimore & KC, still used the 'A' and 'B' designation even though the code number was unique to a bench or bucket seat configuration.

The same codes for bench/buckets didn't start until 1971. Bucket seat models would include 'A51' after the code and bench seat cars would either have 'A52' or nothing.

It's odd that your body plate shows any letter directly after the trim code. I have 5 Atlanta, 4 Batlimore, 4 Framingham, and 9 KC plates and none of those have a letter following the trim number. I only have one example of a Fremont car and it does have 'B80'(Roof Drip Moulding) after the trim number.

What plant was the car assembled at? The letter 'B' isn't on the third line by chance?

Thanks for the replies, I was always curious about my trim tag ... and sparked an interested again checking out on the one's on Dale's website.

I guess I'll post the whole thing here ...

69 13637 KAN103171
791B 61 E
09A 379 5

VIN: 136379K304***

Being a Sept car, I thought it might have something to do with model year changes ... so I was assuming it was build Sept 1969, and was checking out to see if '70s use the B character. Am I wrong, and this is really a Sept 1968 car ... and a carryover from the '68s using B for bucket?

You'll also notice that I am missing a character on the 3rd line (379_5). Until I saw Dale's website, I thought these were two option codes ... and couldn't ever figure them out. Now I see it's supposed to be a 5-digit code from the Build Sheet.

More curiosity ... without a Build Sheet, I'm constantly trying to find other information on my car. I understand drugs were pretty wicked back then ... maybe the guy entering the codes had a wild LSD flashback:)

Well, I guess the next question would be ... has anybody else ever seen a letter on the Interior Trim code for a '69 or later?

Thanks, Neal

Hey, I think I might have just figured out the last piece to the puzzle.

I never realized Chevelle VIN's started at 300001, so that would make mine (136379K304***) a VERY early built car.

Which would mean my build is actually Sept 1968, right? Which also means that it would be very reasonable for somebody changing over from the '68 model year to still stamp the "B" for Buckets.

Next question, does anybody else have a VIN this low ... that could verify my information on their trim tag?

Thanks, Neal

Neal, the earliest Kansas-built 69 model I have reference to is a December, 1968 car and it does not have "A" or "B" behind the trim code number. With a sequence number of 304xxx, it would be a very early 69 model built in Sept of 1968. I suppose it's possible that the folks stamping the body plate on the Fisher Body side were still using "A" and "B" until someone noticed and stopped the practice. (?) Wouldn't want to share a picture of it for the ChevelleStuff site by chance? More proof that nothing GM did was an absolute. :cool:

Sure, I'd be happy to share any information I can. I took a picture of it, but don't see your e-mail address ... or how to post a picture here?
Thanks, Neal

email me at 396guy@chevelles.com