[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Need some help ID'ing what some of these numbers mean on this frame
I have the HW application code verified as correct from another Buildsheet.
483709 part number should check out.

What is circle"S" 30 ?
and 7 16 S1 ?

Fremont car built 04C
Wondering if any of that is a date code ?

Picture won't upload

483709. (S) 30
7 16 S1 HW
is the stamping format

[Held for Ransom]

Don't quote me...
483709 = frame part number
(S) = frame manufacturer, A.O. Smith
30 = not a clue
7 = month assembled, July
16 = day assembled, 16th
S1 = shift made, 1st
HW = pick code

[JAL71TA]

Where are you finding these frame ID numbers on the car?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Okay no quote

- but shikes !
July 16 is stretching if its of 1970 manufacture ? Or is it
Believe 70 & 71 455 Hdtp cars used same frame / application.

Car is Hardtop 4spd GTO
PHS 455HO
04C Fremont plant

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Originally Posted by JAL71TA

Where are you finding these frame ID numbers on the car?

Driver side rear section, near rear exhaust hanger, but the outboard rail.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

He actually found the Frame VIN on Top of the same rail , in same general zone , but on Top.
Using mirror and flashlight , and cellphone camera he captured it.
It matches.

But this date deal is a head scratcher.
That's why I wanted to check on it.
Maybe Roger has some extra input , if he shows up.

[Held for Ransom]

Are you sure the 7 is not a 4? Or, 2?

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Yes
It is very legible. All of it is very legible.
He cleaned it down to metal with about 180 grit paper (or something not real overly abrasive)

My goofy tablet won't upload the picture.
I might be able to get my phone to upload it later.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Picture rerouted through phone.

[JAL71TA]

Thanks!

[Judge273]

Why is a 7 July of 1970 a head scratcher? 1971 Production didn’t start late July?

[Held for Ransom]

With the strike in the beginning of the '71 model year (Sept. '70), one doesn't know how much surplus was stacked.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

That is a reasonable point Ransom.

Carryover useage , lower take rate application.
Smith might have over-manufactured a big run of them for surplus.
Then strikes and much lower production/sales numbers versus 1970.

9 months seems overly excessive spread , but I've never tracked frames before at all.
I think ol Pinion Head has done some tracking on them in the past.

Another 455 Hdtp car sample in similar range would be useful.

[Sport71]

BVZ - I can check my frame number later on tonight. I verified the VIN using the flashlight and mirror technique shortly after I bought it over 20 years ago so it's original to the car. It has some pretty thick undercoating on that vertical face on the frame so I'll see what I can determine (the top side where the VIN is located really didn't have any). It's a bit outside of the date range you're looking at but '71 HO cars aren't exactly falling out of the trees so maybe it'll help.

12E Fremont '71 GTO 455HO Hardtop

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Thanks Sport71 , any and all 71 455 Hdtp car frame examples would be welcomed .
Especially any Fremont plant cars.
Put in a request to Dennis on his 71 Fremont that is 12C

If earlier cars have later dated frames than the one I posted - he's in a pickle jam.
His engine is a decoy made to "appear" original.
Trans looks good
Trim tag rivet putty could go either way on judgement call.

A shot of your trim tag might be good too , if you have time and don't mind.

[SD455DJ]

BVZ, Here is the rear frame stamp on the '71 Fremont built GT-37. Looks to be the same as yours by the numbers.

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

Just for fun, here is the frame stamp on my Baltimore built '70 Tempest post coupe (06D on trim tag).

Dennis

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Thanks Dennis.
That appears to be good news and really appreciate it.

No clue what that 70 Tempest frame is trying to say to us though.

[johnta1]

The 70 used a different frame manufacturer. (thus the different data layout)

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Care to stab at a date code from that data layout ?