De-Coding Chevelle Protecto Plates

.....1967 Chevelles.....

The protector plate was a factory identification card that was supplied through the dealer to the lucky recipient of a brand new 1967 Chevelle. It came in the back of the booklet shown above and carried coded information about the factory installed equipment / options for that particular vehicle, and this is why they are so talked about now.... it is proof of how the car was originally delivered. Their original purpose was used in warranty work and 'check-ups'. In the back of the booklet that came with the plate is a series of tear out cards that were service records of when the regularly scheduled maintenance for new cars was performed, when the work was performed at the assigned time / mileage they were 'imprinted' with the plate and considered done. Usually you will find a few of these cards still there, the novelty of the new car wore off fairly soon and appointments got missed or forgot about. There is really nothing mystical about protecto-plates, except perhaps what happened to the one you wanted.

This is a copy of a protecto plate 'imprint', the actual plate is metal with a wavy edge.. I did not use the original as all the letters and codes are 'reversed' and would be impossible to read.

Here is how the numbers work out.

1. This letter indicates the colour of interior.
2. This is the body colour, lower first, then upper. See the paint codes for the colours.
3. The Vehicle Identification Number... VIN. To decode this... go to Decoding VIN Numbers.
4. Carburetor Style. R is for a Rochester. H is for a Holley.
5. This is the same number as should appear on your engine block... the elusive matching numbers! Here is the scoop on Decoding Engine Numbers.
6. This is the information on the rear axle... these numbers are not available yet, soon.....
7. This is the month your car was built. These are letters in 67 and numbers in 68.
8. Transmission specs. Includes model and date manufactured. See tranny specs.

A--This is for Steering and Brakes.

1 indicates power steering

2 indicates power brakes

3 is for power steering and power brakes.

B--This tells if you got a clock or not.

1 is yes, you have a clock. (note: there is nothing listed for this example... however the car had a floor mounted clock)

C--Here is the factory installed radio.

3 means that you got the basic AM radio.

4 is a basic AM with a rear speaker.

5 is again, an AM radio, only now you got pushbuttons on it.

6 is for an AM pushbutton radio, with a rear speaker.

The AM/FM's do not appear to be listed here, you will have to consult a build sheet for this one.

D--Disc Brake Option.

A 4 at this location means you got 'em. Option code J52.

Air Conditioning

1 means you have factory installed air, option code C60

Power Windows

1 indicates that your came was ordered with power windows.

Power Seat

1 at this location means you got the four way electric seat.

Transmissions for 1967

That about does it for figuring out the elusive protecto plate. I should also mention that I am not 'hung up' on all this original stuff. Sure I enjoy it, but that doesn't mean a non-original or modified Chevelle doesn't appeal to me. Quite honestly, the originals are kind of a pain in the ass, its hard to have a lot of fun with one, you are always worrying about some damn thing or other. Nuff said!

Beam me UP!