Data plate/engine colour
 

Data plate on firewall appears to have been bent across top right corner and punched with something that looks like wrench head.Also all pics I’ve seen engines are blue, my engine is red?
My car is a 62 tempest lemans.

Not for sure on this one, but some years they punched different holes for certain things that were done. One is for shoulder beltmounts on the body. (64 I think maybe?)

I haven't looked at any Service News for it.

One interesting thing (to me) is that the tag shows BC for plant. My 62 manual doesn't show that for the Tempest/Lemans.
Could have had a later edition of book, I don't know.

BC is South Gate, which built the Bonneville, Cats and Star Chief.
Could have added the production later for California I guess.

The engine could have been rebuild sometime in the past and was painted red? I don't know what the original color was though.

I'm sure others more knowledgeable will be here.


:)

Are you sure it's a Pontiac engine?

The engine is a trophy 4, 194.5 c.i. with 1brl.

Looks like the light blue Pontiac engine paint used on the early- mid 60’s stuff

Data plate/engine colour
 

My engine is red, is there any knowledge/documentation that the trophy 4 came factory red? Mine has no evidence of blue paint on block or head.

Also curious about stamped data tag.

No. No Pontiac engines in passenger vehicles were red. Blue is correct.

John answered your question on the stamping. It indicates that some inspection activity took place or that the car was built with certain content. We will probably never know beyond that because it is "not a GTO".

K

Engine colour/data tag
 

Thank you for the info, very helpful. The rebuilt motor will be blue.

Could the tag have been stamped when the car was registered in Canada?

No. Those punches occur in the body shop before the tag is installed. (The tag would have to be removed from the vehicle in order to punch the hole after the fact).

K

Data tag
 

Looking at the weathering on the back of the tag it appears that the top right corner was bent forward to punch it. See pics

Good catch.

I would add the inspector's punches consisted of traceable symbols (letters, numbers, hearts, moons, clovers) so that the identity of the inspector could be known.

I can't tell what that shape is. Looks like a little batman. or the end of an open end wrench.



K

My theory on the engine color (or colour, in this case):

Canadian Pontiacs (or Acadians) received Chevrolet engines, which were painted orange.

Perhaps an earlier owner knew that and decided he wanted a red/orange engine in his car.

K

Engine colour/data tag
 

Your theory could be correct. Probably will never know, regardless the rebuilt trophy 4 will be Pontiac blue.

As far as the data tag, I think it’s an open end wrench.Could be another impossible question. Maybe I’ll find the answer, as my very limited Pontiac knowledge grows.

Thanks for your input, Quinn

I think you are right about folding the cowl tag forward in order to make the punch.

Here's the tag from a Fremont built '67 GTO on Craigslist and it appears the tag was bent forward.

K

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1738869348

Data tag
 

I see no attachment ,is there one

Yes - those are big "rivets" in the lower corners.

I've only seen them used for this application.

K