COWL TAG HAS ME PUZZLED.. Is it worth while?

[buhbuhbecum]

A few years back, I was driving by a metal recycling yard and noticed a Quater of a 69 Camaro sticking out of a pile of metal, a few days later my dad went to investigate and ended up talking the people out of the car.  It was a freebie. With one 1969 Z28 (X77) that has been in the family for almost 30 years almost road ready again, I have started fixing the "problems" on this car, before doing any research on it, I cut the roll cage out had the Quaters and rear filler replaced, ( still need doors, hood trunk and floorboards maybe dash, although it looks fine right now.  The car was mostly gone. No grill, transmission, interior, etc.  I was going t build a Pro Street style car, but stumbled on this site looking for parts and wanted to know what this really was originally, the cowl tag however has thrown me for a loop..  I have correct casting heads and a couple of large journal 302 cranks, a M22 and a M21 4 speed for a build ( no block) ( not sure on dates on any of this),  I would like opinions on whether it would be worth putting the $$$$ in the car to put it back together or cut it up for a toy car.  The cowl tag is as follow (NO TYPOS) the 5OR is what has me puzzled:

ST69   12437   50R124575BDY
TR     727           71  71    PNT
       09D             X33D80

Thanks!

[Z71]

50R is supposed to be NOR for Norwood assembly.  O not Zero

If its really 50R (fity R), then its a mistake that was made in setup.   

Can you post a picture of the tag

[gro51]

The X33 means it's a Z28 with style trim.  Are you kidding?  I would restore this as an authentic Z28 keeping it as original as possible! Please don't hack it up.  I agree with Z71 - That has to be NOR for Norwood.  I've never seen that before (the typo, 50R).  Let me know if you need anything else decoded.  Good luck!

[lakeholme]

It's sort of like grandpa used to say, "They aren't making any more dirt..."
If you post a picture of the cowl tag, also post us a picture of what the car looks like unrestored.  Your description sounds rough, but even if it weren't a possible Z28, it could still be worth restoring.
Yes, it costs money, but once you cut an old car up for something else, that's one more lost!
Take a look at thiis thread: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=521.0

[KurtS]

I just looked thru similarly dated trim tags, have never seen that typo before.
Feel free to email me the pic if you can't post it.

[buhbuhbecum]

I tried many times to get a good picture of the number on the tag.  No luck..  Since I am having to strip the firewall completely down.  I took my Dewalt to the rivets, cleaned it the best I could and laid the tag on my Kitchen Counter and was able to take some really close pictures, (front and back to see if someone had altered it in the past..  One afterthought I had is how to reattach the tag..  Any suggestions on that??  Anyway here are the pictures..  Thank all of you for your help..
Nevermind I can't post them.. file is too big.  I will email to anyone interested.

[bertfam]

email them to me. I'll host them for you.

MY EMAIL ADDRESS

Ed

[KurtS]

Here's the pics, front and back. Nice shots!

[67camarorsss]

My guess is like everybody else....the "5OR" should be "NOR". looks to be an early production (9D = 4th week Sept) and with the "1" preceeding the body number I believe it was made in 68. Maybe whoever was making the tags came back from a "liquid" lunch on a Friday, stamped the wrong letter and decided to let it ride. If you can afford it, then restore it. The tag (personally I wouldn't have removed it) lends an aura of "factory goof" to the car.

[PACE&Z2869]

I agree w/ 67camarorsss. restore that car to as close to original as you can. I also would not have removed that tag. The rivits might be available somewhere to reinstall the tag? Good luck keep us posted.

[RAfbody]

looks to be an early production (9D = 4th week Sept) and with the "1" preceeding the body number I believe it was made in 68.

It would have to be a late production car, The X codes weren't being used in September 1968.

[drdave69]

You should NOT have removed the tag. The car will always be suspect from now on unless it can be replaced without detecting it's removal.

[buhbuhbecum]

I am not really able to see every number in the VIN, looks like it was painted over heavily. I am planning on pulling the windshield out this weekend and will clean up the VIN to get every number that I can, but here is what I could make out:  124379N(or M) 5 (or 6) 5 (or 6) 7507.  Again I really can't read some of the numbers accuratley.. YET!..  DONT WORRY I WILL NOT TAKE THE VIN OFF..  I guess I should have considered that before I pulled the cowl tag..  But I did get some really good pictures of it..  IMO

[PACE&Z2869]

You've taken a beating from everyone now about removing that cowl tag. Now the bad news, you said your not going to remove the VIN tag... however when you get your windshield out, you'll most likely see that you dash panel is rusted out... and you guessed it, you'll have to remove your VIN plate to attach it to the new dash panel you'll have to install. Good luck

[McKenzieDave]

What does the title say for a VIN?  If you don't have a title, stop working on the car until you can prove it's yours.  Pull the cowl grill and find the alternate VIN as well.  Dave