Everthing you always wanted to know about the Protect-O-Plate and then some!
The cowl tag was afixed to the body by The Fisher Body Division to help identify the way the body was built, it includes the year, model, body production sequenc number, trim materials, paint etc, untill 1969 it also included options.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>The Chevrolet Protect-O-Plate furnished with all vehicles is imprinted at the plant with identifying information covering the majority of standard and RPO (regular production option) equipment. The exact type of engine, transmission, and rear axle with which a vehicle is equipped may be obtained from the plate, as well as exterior color, month of vehicle production and basic vehicle information. All passenger cars have interior trim information and all passenger models except Corvette include information on major extra cost RPO equipment.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
All the dealer did was imprint the owners name. It was usually attached to the warranty booklet with adhesive. Most people kept these because thier names were on them and they did not want them to get into other people hands. It was possible for dealers to issue new cards if the car was resold during warranty period but seldom done after that.
Most of this info is from Chevy parts catalog and a 1970 factory Chevelle assembly manual. 1965 was th first year, 1965-67 POP are similar, 66-68 similar, 69-72 similar. They discontinued them for 1973. There were subtle changes in these time periods.
The assembly manuals have info on the POP in the UPC section 0; page B3 of the 70 manual.
[This message has been edited by elcamino (edited 08-08-99).]