CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Decoding/Numbers => Topic started by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 10, 2006, 11:23:27 AM

Title: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 10, 2006, 11:23:27 AM
I recently bought a 68 sold as an RS SS, L78 block, M22 numbers matching car.  The engine is indeed an L78 numbers matching with what certainly appears to be the original block stamping (correct broach marks and fonts).  I am not so sure about the tramsmission and rear end and I am also not sure I understand the trim tag.  The VIN is 124378L344764.  There is no build sheet or POP.

The transmission has a date code of B8R30 and has the correct VIN though this could have been restamped.  Haven't had it out of the car and had to use a mirror to see the VIN code.  Is this a correct date?  This transmission has three drain plugs, two on the side and one on the bottom.  Is this an M22?

The rear end stamping is BW1101G2 which I believe is the code for a 456 rear end.  Interesting that the date code is within a day of the transmission date code if I decoded correctly, but it seems that both are a little too early for what I think is the June build of the car.

The trim tag reads:  ST 68 12437 LOS 43226 BDY
                            TR 749         Z-Z PNT
                            ACC  (What does the ACC mean?)

I am just learning about all the codes and everything and am liking the car more and more as I look into it.  The underside is very clean with no rust as it lived in the high desert out in Nevada.  Can anyone provide input on the codes please?  Also, if this is a true RS SS with a numbers matching L78 block, M22 tranny and a 456 rear end wouldn't this be a fairly rare combination?

I have a lot of pictures but am not sure if they are to big for down loading here.

Thanks for the help.  You guys on this site are great.
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Z71 on August 10, 2006, 01:37:23 PM
ACC stands for ACCESSORY
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: firstgenaddict on August 10, 2006, 03:14:21 PM
Yes that would be pretty rare... 4.56 rear would have been special order... obviously destined for serious street racing or the drag strip.
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 10, 2006, 06:19:56 PM
Yes it makes sense that ACC stands for Accessory, but what does that mean in terms of the car?  Is this what signifies a true RS SS, or what?  I know there is not much documentation for first gen Camaros, especially 68's, but is there a way to tell what this car was originally?  Also, why does the trim tag say ACC and not have any other X code like I see on other cars?

I'm so confused and I just want to understand what the car was originally, and if that coincides with what the car is now.  I do know it was definitely a big block car from the factory, and it appears to be original, it's just that there is that small percentage of doubt that I would like to eliminate.

Thanks
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: KurtS on August 10, 2006, 10:41:54 PM
Mark,
I had it noted that your car had a 3.73 gear. I don't think that trans and rear are close enough to be original. I take it the trans code is P8R30, not B8R30.

Can you send me a pic of the tag?
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Z71 on August 10, 2006, 10:48:02 PM
X?? code was '69 Norwood only cars

ACC alone means absolutely nothing..
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 10, 2006, 11:05:30 PM
Kurt:

Wow, you have good records or recollection.  The previous owner acknowledges that he replaced the 4.56 gears with 3.73.  The original was the 4.56  I am totally okay with that as long as I know what the original was.  Actually I prefer 3.73 for more regular driving.  I don't have a real good pic of the cowl tag but will send you what I have later this evening.  I do have a drawing of it that the appraiser I had look at the car in Nevada drew up.  I can send that as well.

Mike, if ACC doesn't mean anything then why is it there?  Maybe the powers at GM put it there just to throw us off lol.  :-\
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 11, 2006, 02:33:51 AM
There is some more information.  The numbers above the ST 68 read 06C and P074, so the trim tag reads:

                            06C                         P074
                            ST 68 12437 LOS 43226 BDY
                            TR 749         Z-Z PNT
                            ACC

Hope this helps.

Mark
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Z71 on August 11, 2006, 12:16:09 PM
Quote
Mike, if ACC doesn't mean anything then why is it there?

I looking at several 1968 LA Camaro tags and none have the ACC on the bottom of the tag. There is no room for it.

 I would like to see a photo of that tag. 

Is is a repro tag?
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: ccargo on August 11, 2006, 04:20:04 PM
Here's a tag from a LOS BB I owned at one time. It is very close the your cars body # and most likely built the same day or so. I'd like to see where the ACC is located on your tag  ??? The car sounds interesting.
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 11, 2006, 09:41:01 PM
Interesing that your car is indeed built in at least the same week if not the same day.  Very cool.  Do you know what the P074 on the top right of my trim tag and the P290 at the top right of your trim tag mean?

The ACC is right under the code for the trim.  I can't see it too clearly on your pic but it looks like your trim code is 716.  Mine is 749 and the ACC is directly under that.  i spoke with Bob at Camaro Specialties and he tells me he has seen this code on several other cars built in LA.  he doesn't know what it means either and he is extremely knowledgeable (sp?) on Camaros.  This has been his business for 20 years.

The picture I have of my trim tag is not very clear and is over 300 mb in size so is too big to down load here.  I may be able to get a picture of it tomorrow and will post or send to who ever wants to see it.

Thanks
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Z71 on August 12, 2006, 12:16:30 AM
P074 and P290 are date scheduling codes.  Each letter represets a production day of the month  and the number represents the car.

VN work code

Xyyy
X = Letter A-Z
Yyy=sequential numbers

P074

P – Work day of month
074 – Car built number for the day, Note-Across all makes/models built at VN (note-take from 1-3 days to final completion of car)

How can ACC fit under the trim code, there is no room on the tag???
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 12, 2006, 02:07:09 AM
I will double check the tag tomorrow to make sure the ACC is correct.  I know the numbers are right and I need to verify the ACC.  When I bought the car I had it delivered straight to the resto shop for some additional work and it is two and a half hours away from me so I can't see it every day.  Another week and it will be in my garage. I can't wait. ;D
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Rich on August 21, 2006, 01:06:30 AM
The ACC tags were pre-1964 vintage tags applied to 68s that were not warranted to be in compliance with FMVSS.  These included some export cars, as well as the like of Yenkos.   See the last sentence of the first paragraph below.

http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#CowlTag

Rich
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 21, 2006, 01:59:36 AM
Rich:

Wow, I am impressed by the research!  Too bad I must report that there is no ACC designation on my trim tag.  I was incorrect.  My trim tag is a normal tag for a Los Angeles built car and I have now decoded it properly.  What I do know is that to the best of my knowledge my car is an original 1968 L78 block RS SS, British Green with Black and white hounds tooth deluxe interior.  It has the original numbers matching (not restamped) engine and M22 transmission with a 12 bolt rear end that was originally a 4.56 ratio and has been changed to 3.73.  The car was repainted black about 7 years ago and the whole car was blacked out.  I am replacing the badging and having the correct D90 stripe put back on.

I appreciate everyone's help and apologize for the incorrect information on the ACC designation.  I am just learning so be patient with me.

Mark
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: RickH on August 28, 2006, 02:09:36 AM
I'm a little confused about this post. You stated that the trim tag had the ACC stamp on it and you even posted the info off the tag. Now you say it doesn't have it even after you described exactly where it is located on the tag?  You even called Bob Harris to verify it.

You even questioned posts such as "Mike, if ACC doesn't mean anything then why is it there?"

What I don't understand is why is it not there after all the postings? How can you mistake that?

Also if the tranny stamp of P8R30 is correct then it it not the original numbers matching transmission for your car as you say it is. The numbers you posted are for a transmission built October 30, 1968. Your car is an 06C, third week of June 1968 which means your car was built almost 4 months before the tranmission was.

Is this car at Camaro Specialties being worked on?

Rick H.



Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 29, 2006, 01:47:59 AM
Rick:  As I said in the previous post "I was incorrect" .  The ACC designation came from the report the appraiser/inspector who checked the car out in Carson City Nevada sent to me.  Obviously this report was wrong.  Too bad too as I paid good money for an incorrect report.  I went back out to Camaro Specialties as I have done once or twice each week since the car has been there and looked at the cowl tag and took a picture (attached).

As for the transmission date code I am pretty sure the date code on transmissions is for the model year, not the calendar year, so this transmission would be before the build date on the car.  However, I could be wrong about that too.  As I said, I am just learning, please be patient with me,  all of you were there once too.  :)

Mark
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: rich69rs on August 29, 2006, 05:04:17 AM
Sorry I didn't know about your purchase beforehand.  I live in Minden, NV.  Carson City is 10 miles north on Hwy 395.  Would have been glad to snap a few pics for you, etc.
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Marty on August 29, 2006, 06:29:26 PM
Yes the Muncie date code is by model year so the date code is October 30, 1967. Martin
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: KurtS on August 29, 2006, 09:08:46 PM
But 8 months before the car is very unlikely.....
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 30, 2006, 02:29:51 AM
Rich:  Had I known about this website and board before I bought the car it would have been a great help to me.  I know you would have taken the pics of the car and I appreciate it.  Perhaps you know the car as it was in Carson City for many years and was a daily driver.  It was always parked at a Shell station there.

Kurt, yes 8 months before the build of the car is certainly unusual from what I have read, but I have also read that there were more unusual things too.  I do wish we could be certain of things like this.  We dropped the tranny to make it easier to clean up the undercarriage and replace the oil pan gasket and the stamping on the tranny is definitely the correct partial VIN.  I am not well versed enough to tell if it is a restamp but the texture from the casting is there on the case so it looks right to me.  One of the interesting things is that the tranny and rear end dates are within a day of each other but both about 7.5 months before the 06C cowl tag date.

Pics of the completed car will be coming shortly, maybe as early as next Wednesday or so.  These things always take longer than anyone wants. :P
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: RickH on August 31, 2006, 05:22:29 AM
Either way, I agree that the time between drivetrain assembly dates and car build date is a little excessive.

I'll be back in town next week and will have to stop in and check it out.

Rick H.
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on August 31, 2006, 10:42:00 AM
Rick,

Contact me before you head out there.  The car is just about done and I expect to have it back either Saturday or Tuesday.

Mark
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on September 10, 2006, 11:17:19 AM
Rick:

Did you ever go out to Camaro Specialties and check out my car?
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Steve68 on September 10, 2006, 03:01:39 PM
Mark

Did you have them swap out the grille?  If you did are you planning on bringing the old one back with you?  If not will you look at the old one to see if you can find a part number on it.  Also, look at the headlight covers to see if you can find a part number on them to for us please (Reference thread http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=1087.0).  Thanks!!!

Steve
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: Mark's 68 L78 RS SS on September 10, 2006, 03:19:56 PM
Steve:

Yes we have swapped the grille out.  i will check the part nmumber on it and the headlight covers.  Going out of town so it will be towards the end of the week before I look at this.

Mark
Title: Re: Transmission, Rear End and Trim tag
Post by: rocco376 on May 14, 2022, 07:30:46 PM
This car just showed up on Bring A Trailer

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-chevrolet-camaro-ss-50/#comments-anchor