1969 Transmission date and VIN

[bcmiller]

Let me know what you think of this one.  I have asked a couple of experts already.  M22 assembled in late January but VIN of the car stamped on it is from early August.  

Does anyone else have a big time gap from when your M22 was assembled compared to when it was installed in the car?  Thanks.

[Jerry@CHP]

Character spacing and aspect ratio does not look correct on the trans assm code.

I will say that it is possible to have a wider date range on M22's for '68 and '69 because so few were sold.  Especially in 1968.  I think a little over 1200 units were sold for the whole model year.

Jerry 

[bcmiller]

Thanks Jerry.  The P is what looks a bit funny to me. 

Anybody else?  You are not going to hurt my feelings, no matter what you say.

[JohnZ]

Thanks Jerry.  The P is what looks a bit funny to me. 

Anybody else?  You are not going to hurt my feelings, no matter what you say.

The Muncie date code stamping definitely isn't "typical".

[william]

I have data from 27 M-22 '69 Camaros. None are even close to that far off. I have the same date as yours in an 02A car. The closest VIN to yours has a late April M-22. Bear in mind that only 2,117 '69s had the M-22.

However a look at other far more common M-20 & M-21 Muncies reveals more outliers. I list 2 Oct '69 cars with May trans; one with June. One of the last '69s built 11A has a June 23 trans. This tells me that it was quite possible for a Muncie trans to either be delayed in shipment somehow or to remain in queue at the assembly plant for many months. I have read that Chevy moved parts between car assembly plants as needed. It could be that your trans was at a Chevelle or full-size plant when production for the model year concluded in June/July '69. It went to Norwood and ended up in your 07A Camaro.

[william]

Compare it to the M-22 stamp in JM's 69 book p. 67. Looks the same to me.

[bcmiller]

Thanks Willliam.  I don't have JMs 69 book, but I have the 67/68.  I guess I need to get the 69 too.

This is great information.  Thanks for sharing.

[KurtS]

I have another M22 stamp with the same date. Looks the same.