This is definately a question (trim tag spray) to present to the line workers at next months gathering in Norwood.
It will be great if one of them actually was involved one way or another with this practice to give insight.

Mike

Thanks for the tip, Chick. I have a boxed NOS battery I bought in the early 80's. I'll see about getting a 67 period sticker.

Mike

I think we should look into and discuss the possibility that they may have painted the trim tags that got the white with a dusting of black at the end.. I have seen a lot of unrestored cars with just the letters showing white until its thoroughly cleaned.. maybe they hit it black again with a cheap spray bomb.. Just saying.. I'll see if I have any pictures to share with that look.. that would make sense if someone was concerned about The Styling.. because that makes sense.

 My feeling is maybe the dealer sprayed over the "eye sore" with black before handing it to the customer.

Mike

Production output can vary as in the number of cars produced in a given period. Think about it, a batch of heavily RPO'd optioned cars should take more time to complete than lesser RPO option cars. Sure it can run constant as far as maintaining line worker efforts, but the net result will definitely vary as to how may cars per hour are produced even if planning is coordinated in an efficient way. Mike

Nope. Option workload/content/mix didn't affect output - the line ran at 57 per hour, every hour, every shift, with scheduling and manpower adjustments made to accommodate forecast variations. The line only stopped for mechanical breakdowns or emergencies.

 So what you are saying, John, is scheduling was done in such as away as to balance (if that is the right word) cars with different RPO's option levels to spread out across the lines to acheive a fairly constant CPH's per line?

Mike

PA Amish with a 302 in the barn....hmmmm.....must have been one heck of a fast buggie 
I know this didn't come out of John Books (Harrison Ford) VW from the movie Witness.

Mike

 Production output can vary as in the number of cars produced in a given period. Think about it, a batch of heavily RPO'd optioned cars should take more time to complete than lesser RPO option cars. Sure it can run constant as far as maintaining line worker efforts, but the net result will definitely vary as to how may cars per hour are produced even if planning is coordinated in an efficient way. The book discusses the planning to maintain a balance between under and over cycling. Interesting reading indeed.

Mike

   Late 1968? That seems to go against the grain from what I have always seen reported which was early 68. Like you said, who knows what happend back then.
From what I have read, and think I understand, is the daily production output varied depending to a degree on the "RPO option contents" to deviate from the theoretical output. So, perhaps that would explain the differences between what was produced vs. what capacity was capable of.

Mike

Hi Mark,

    Per the book, there was a Fisher Body strike by Local 674 that lasted 23 days from Jan to Feb 1967. This resulted in layoff notices being issued for the Chevy side because no bodies were not being produced. Major or not, this did have an effect on Norwood output. There were also 2 additional "protest" strikes in 1968 that lasted 24 hours each by the same union.  Small yes but it still impacts production.
   As for the eventual move of the Firebird, the book too stated it was slated to begin in 68 but as you pointed out it started much later. I was merely referring to the tag painting practice when it stopped in early 68.

Mike

Hi Kurt,

    The tag painting looks to be part of a much larger picture of worker discontent due to a number of factors unfolding at that time ranging from the introduction of new manufacturing processes, new car line (Camaro) introduction (and along with new Camaro RPO’s codes?) plus the consumer demands for the new Camaro that led to increased worker work load to keep up with production pace. The fact that the painting was not done on every tag shows, IMO,  it was more of an employee visual aid method and possible show of union “protest” to work conditions  and even a resistance to the new broadcast change which they felt was more complex especially with the older workers. Sure, the broadcast sheets began in 1966 but reading the book shows a lot happening around that time to place more demands on the production line workers that eventually led to the Jan 1967 strike.  I don’t think it matters when it was done (Fisher vs. Chevy side) but more of why it was done.
  As for appearing in 1968, it may have likely been a carryover practice until the workers realized that the trim tag option codes were no longer printed (to force the issue of using the broadcast sheet) and also the Firebird was slated to begin production at Norwood in 68 (page 102 explains this more clearly).
  If anyone has better explanations then feel free to contribute. I’m not plugging the book but it sure does shed light on a much broader picture to see why decisions were made and why things happened the way they did.

Regards,
Mike

 I received this book for Fathers Day today and must say it is very intersting reading. Not just about the "F" body but the history of the Norwood plant through the decades.
So now it's clear why the trim tag was painted white by the Chevy workers and why the practice was discontinued after 67. But the intersting thing is stepping back and looking at the whole picture as to what else was going on at that time to understand the trim tag spraying was just a small part of a larger technology vs. blue collar picture. I found the Application 35 interesting also and how a car can have an engine installed past the body tag date. Audit and demerit system, etc.....
  This is great reading!

Mike

Hi Steve,

  Thank you for the update. In my wilder and younger biker days, I was involved with club shirt graphic changes and fresh designs plus ordering so I understand the time and efforts involved.  It's not easy! I appreciate what you, your wife and the behind the scenes efforts of others to get these approved are doing.
My compliments to you all!

Regards,
Mike

Hi Bob,

  The nut looks to have the same plating as the rubber compression disk, zinc.
From past zinc vs. cad plating questions in CRG on various fastener finishes topics, John Z stated cad plating wasn't used often and one of the concerns were health hazards.

Mike
 

 I have a pair of NOS shocks in my shed collecting dust and it has the hardware still attached.
These have never been mounted.
The P/N is 3192831 and are "TM" shocks dated 296-67
The nut looks like the one Ed posted and looks to be zinc plated.
Hope these pictures help.

Mike

When is a good time to order these?  If I order now, will they arrive in 4 to 6 weeks?  Can specific ordering instructions be provided?

 I don't think anyone who already ordered got theirs yet or even if the initial first batch of orders were sent into the vendor. 

Mike

 Interesting, it has a white painted trim tag.
Nothing like looking at something in original condition.

Mike