1965 El Camino Fisher Body Number Plate General Information

• Fremont is the only final assembly plant that coded the Fisher Body Number plate (aka trim tag) with the same style number as the series/model in the GM VIN. All other plants coded the style number with an even third digit so one cannot tell by the trim tag if the El Camino was an L6 or V8.

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• Indications are the body numbers are sequential for the particular series/model per plant.

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• A popular publication states, "On all 1965 through 1971 trim tags, the engine identification portion of the model identification number always indicates a V-8 engine. No 6-cylinder engine identification numbers are stamped on any trim tag." This is an incorrect statement for not only 1965 through 1971 but includes 1972 as well. There are numerous examples of trim tags with an odd 3rd-digit style on this website.

• Links to Fisher Body Number Plates (a.k.a., trim tag, cowl tag, firewall tag, etc.)

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• ATL ~ Atlanta, Georgia
  
  Click tag for Atlanta more examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Has dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Separates lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Includes group option codes.
  • Almost all have a hand-stamped number visible. This is reported to be a final inspection stamp indicating the vehicle was ready for shipment.
  • The Fisher Body plant at Euclid, OH. supplied El Camino bodies to Atlanta for final assembly.
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• BAL - Baltimore, Maryland
  
  Click tag for more Baltimore examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Does NOT have a dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Only one tag does NOT separate lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Does NOT list option codes in groups but rather as a row of numbers above the plant id code denoting the trim tag broadcast sheet number.
  • Malibu convertible tag (13667) does NOT state "Body By Fisher". Lists trim color of 721 that does not appear in GM documentation. The only colors listed in sales literature available with Mist Blue (D) are 766 Fawn and 742 Blue. The 742 Blue does not appear in GM trim combination list.
  • One example of "13837" on the body tag and "13737" on the VIN with very late 1965 build date of August 3rd week as noted by VIN 187999.
  • The Z16 prototype was assembled at Baltimore, all production Z16 series were built at Kansas City.
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• BF ~ Fremont, California
  
  Click tag for more Fremont examples...
  • Fremont has several variations of showing unit's color and wheel colors.
  • Assembly month not padded with leading zero where applicable until July, 1965 then assembly month is padded with leading zero.
  • Does NOT have a dash character (-) after interior trim color. However, they do include the GM letter code for the rest of the interior trim paint color.
  • Does NOT separate lower-upper body colors with a dash character (-).
  • Does NOT list option codes in groups but rather as a row of numbers after ACC.
  • The only assembly plant to use the text, "THIS CAR FINISHED WITH Magic Mirror ACRYLIC LACQUER" above the "BODY BY FISHER" line.
  • The only assembly plant to use the text "DETROIT, MICHIGAN" and "CHEVROLET DIV. GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION" instead of simply "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION"
  • Some have a space between the second and third letter of the paint code showing wheel color. Most Malibu SS cars do not show a wheel color although a few do for some reason. This 3-letter paint code practice appears to be random in June and July for all models except, the El Camino that appears to consistently use 3-letter paint codes.
  • Also interesting to note that convertibles did not include the top color on the body plate but continued with a two-letter paint code.
  • Vinyl top equipped sport coupes did not include the top color on the body plate but continued with a two-letter paint code.
  • One body plate dated July of 1965 is a completely different style. More like the 1966 model year although early 1966 body plates (pre January, 1966) retained 1965 style of information presented.
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• EUC ~ Euclid, Ohio
   
  Click tag for more Euclid examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Euclid, Ohio continued to supply bodies to Atlanta, Baltimore and Kansas City even though these plants had their own 1965 body plant. The  2-door, 2-seat 300 station wagons and El Caminos were the most common series/styles supplied. Final assembly plant is usually  noted by a single letter in the upper right hand corner; "A" for Atlanta, "B" for Baltimore and "K" for Kansas City.
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• KAN ~ Kansas City, Missouri
  
  Click tag for more Kansas City examples...
  • Assembly month padded with leading zero where applicable.
  • Has dash character (-) after interior trim code.
  • Includes group option codes.
  • Several production Z16 body plates included.
  • Mysterious "P" code found in Group 4 options.
  • El Camino tags have been found with both KAN and EUC Fisher Body plants.

This is a typical example of a 1965 Chevelle trim/cowl tag for a Kansas City, MO. assembled Malibu SS Sport Coupe. Assembly plant body number plates varied from plant to plant in how the information was presented.

Anyone having a clear picture of 1965 Chevelle Body Number Plates (trim tags) and/or Protect-O-Plates, please contact me here.