Iam restoring a matching number 71SS454 LS-5. This is the most correct chevelle of all I have done so far. I am checking casting dates Etc. Never had to do this before. Most of my casting dates are june/july 1970. I would like a little help with the cowl tag.
ST 71-13637 R03748 BDY
TR 706 61B PNT
08C 538
Is the 08C build date 3rd week of August 1970 ?
What is the 538??
A water pump (correct casting number) cast in 1969 would be incorrect ?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Paul in El Paso
I forgot to ask. Would a build date of 08C be considered a early or late 71SS ??

It would be 3rd week of August from 1970; the 1971 model year cars would have been in production by then. I also have a 71 SS454; mine was built at Van Nuys in Sept. 1970.

I don't think anyone knows the specific meaning of the 538 code except concensus is that it's an internal plant tracking code of some sort.

I have 3 Arlington tags from 71s and only 2 of them have a number following the build date. One is a hardtop with a build date of 08D and 570 follows it. The second is a convertible with a build date of 06A and 571 follows it. Obviously there's no sequential meaning as the cars were 7+ months apart. The third tag is a paint delete hardtop with a build date of 06A and has no number behind it. Whether that's significant or not, don't know :confused:

Also your body number of 03748 is close to the 08D tag I have for the hardtop mentioned above, 04525 - a difference of only 777 hardtops.

Also your body number of 03748 is close to the 08D tag I have for the hardtop mentioned above, 04525 - a difference of only 777 hardtops. Read THIS (http://www.camaros.org/bodynumbering.shtml) about body numbering. You can see its not always easy to say this body and that body were built a the same time. I know this relates to Camaro but if they did that to the Camaro, who to say that all Chevy were not handled similar?

Not trying to start an arguement, just sharing info...

Paul,
When was your motor stamped on the front pad date wise? My 71 was built in Los first week of Sept 1970. The motor is stamped Aug 3rd and my body number is 26. Yes a water pump cast in 69 would be incorrect. 08C would be a Aug 3rd built in 70 so it would be considered an early built 71. It sounds like mine was built the following week of yours. Hope this helps some.