Looking at buying a 69 Sport Coupe with a strange (to me anyway) code on the trim tag. Below the paint code is a "%055". I just used the percent sign because I don't know of anything resembling it. Appears to be two J's back to back. Top one points to 2 o'clock and lower is upside down pointing to 8 o'clock. The ?? below the 711 are letters I can't make out. Sorry, don't have a good pic of it. Here's how it lays out.

ST 69 12347 LOS158403
TR 711 69 69
?? %055


I think VIN is: 124379L506259

Block is stamped: 18J282391 V0531HH (I'm sure not original engine).

Any info would be very much appreciated.

Its the internal plant scheduling code used on the LOS cars. Meaningless, pretty much.


dave

Okay, the ?? is the build date, so it's actually three characters, 2 numbers and a letter, common to be cut off by rivet. With that VIN, it's probably a 10D (4th week Oct 68) or thereabouts.

The code you can't make out is just an LA plant scheduling code, so it really doesn't matter.

The engine was originally a 350 with TH400, in a 68 model year full-size built at Janesville, WI.

Thanks, that was fast. That engine is in it and a 400 turbo behind.
Anyway to tell what engine/trans was original? He doesn't have build sheet, pop or anything.

Anyway to tell what engine/trans was original? He doesn't have build sheet, pop or anything.

Unfortunately, no. There may be some clues that might be able to narrow it down to several possibilities, but thats pretty much it.

A "124" VIN indicates it was a V8 car.

Original dual fuel lines on a 69 would tell you it was a Q-Jet equipped car, and with a 10D 68 and dual fuel lines, it could have been an LM1, L48 (SS350), L35 (396/325) or L34 (396/350).

An original Muncie 4-speed car will have the speedometer cable coming through the firewall near the distributor, instead of near the fuse box.

We're a helpful bunch here. This would probably be easier if you tell us what the car is being represented as, and we can tell you what to look for. Better yet, post photos.

The owner is representing it with all honesty. Bought it from his uncle. Say's it's a 69 Sport Coupe with 109k on the clock. Originally Cortez Silver, now dark blue metallic and was red somewhere in between. He thinks the engine is a 327 (I know its a 350), 400 trans has been TCI'd and rear is an open 3.08. Originality doesn't mean much to him. In fact, this car was to be transformed into a drag car until I came along. The car is very a straight and solid 10 footer, new steel cowl hood, rear quarters and paint about 3 years ago. Very little bondo if any. He added the white Z28 stripes because it "looked better", I agree. Has front and rear spoilers, he added the front. Interior is all original with one inch seam split on pass seat. No power anything. He rebuilt complete front end and added disc brakes, not power. It doesn't have any SS or Z28 clone badging, just 350 on front fenders. He isn't trying to pass it off as anything other than a spruced up/modified Sport Coupe. I crawled in, out, under and all over it for 3 hours one afternoon, It is nice.
Sorry I don't have any pics of it. It's over 200 miles from me and if I go for pics, I'll most likely bring it home (lol).

I wouldn't be buying the car as a "numbers matching" car as it already seems as if the motor is not orginal. I would look at buying it just as a nice '69 driver Camaro. If the price is right (to you) go for it ... and enjoy it.

Are you sure that's not a Z055? I'd be interested to see a pic of the tag, whenever.
10 bolt?
Mono or multileaf rear springs?

Sounds like an nice car. Remember, condition is everything....

Yup I agree. At least I could put miles on her without feeling guilty. As for numbers matching cars......I have (since 1975) a Mulsanne Blue, white striped 71 Z28 with M22 option, a 68 Barracuda fastback and 2001 Camaro SS 345hp Navy Blue Metallic (10k miles) with birth cert. My kid has a 67 SS 396/350hp Chevelle bench seat 4spd with all numbers match except the Muncie.
Thanks much guys for your help!

Kurt S.
It's a mono leaf and believe a 10 bolt. Not a "Z" on cowl tag. I now have a pic of tag....can't figure out how to post it.

That would make it a 327 car originally.

I have seen 1/2 and & on LA trim tags from 10E. Is it an & (ampersand)?
A photo would be nice. ;)

No it's a % (or something very close to it). I've got images of 2 or 3 of them .

Steve if you can email me the tag picture I will post it.
sounds like an interesting tag code

Steve if you can email me the tag picture I will post it.
sounds like an interesting tag code

I emailed a pic to Kurt S couple days ago. Hey Kurt, could you post it for me? For some reason I can post pics.

Guys, FYI picked up the car yesterday. I just finished going over hinden VIN stampings, she/he/it passes.

I'll get the microscope out and check that code again but I'd bet a beer or a stiff drink that sucker's two J's back to back. I can see why some say it's a % symbol but the 0's are open and appear to be two J's. I may clean that area up alittle (although I hate too) maybe can read it better. If I do, will email to you JOE58. Oh, and you too Kurt.

instructions on how to post pics here is in a link in my signature

Here you go.
http://www.camaros.org/kurt/tag_9L506259_LOS158403_%25055.jpg

Boy, sure got quite around here all of a sudden.

Looks like a % sign to me, rather than back to back Js.

It's one of those "things that make you HMMMMMM!!!!"

Boy, sure got quite around here all of a sudden.

What else is there to say? This is the same timeframe that other % and & symbols were used at LA. Not a big deal. Maybe they lost the letter A or Z for awhile and used these other symbols in their place.

Looks like a % sign to me, rather than back to back Js.
I think that is the *intent* of the symbol, but it's a weird version of it.
It took me awhile, but I think it's because the characters had to be contiguous. So it couldn't be the traditional o/o because of the breaks between the characters. So they modified it and joined the symbol together and made the o's open.

Def. looks like a %

Thanks for posting …that is an interesting tag.
What character should be in that position for that date?
Should it be a letter?
I have seen a “Y” on another LOS tag in that position.
It almost looks like a double stamp. Like an “S” with a “/” on top.
The depth of the stamp does not look as uniform as the other stamps. If it were a normal stamp it should have uniform depth but hard to tell from picture.

All Los 69's have a letter and number in that area. Its their internal plant schedule coding system. Its explained in other posts here that you can find using the Search function. :)