April 69 build dates

[ban617]

I researched on here and found April first week didn't start until April 6th ? So how could someone have a 4 L code for a build date ? Is this correct? Thanks Rob

[sdkar]

If I understand it correctly, the 04L was actually supposed to be 04E representing the 5th week of April.  However, the die broke on the E and it came out looking like an L.

[william]

I doubt that's what happened. Chronologically they would have progressed to 04D after 04C; didn't happen. In our db 05A starts to appear after 04C, then 04L appears. The body tag was stamped by Fisher Body and only had meaning to that plant; Chevy assembly never referenced it. The VIN range N636xxx-N638xxx is a random mix of 04C, 04L, 05A. Cars were not built in tag order. All 04L tags may have been generated at the same time.

My theory, based on 40 years in mfg, is that 04L meant something to Fisher Body. Those cars may have had a new process, different paint supplier, a specific routing. Nothing in the data sticks out. There are too many to be a simple error. 

[sixt9x33rs]

My convertible is an 04L car with the born with block. The assembly date on the block is late April I think April 24. The original 10 bolt is in the car too...it is also dated late April. The original manual 3 speed is long gone.