[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 1RAMAIR1

You are correct. Factory and NOS Service replacement parts had variations in their appearance even though they functioned the same. I have also noticed some Factory features that have differences between them. Take for instance the attaching screws & holes at the bottom of the interior Door Panels. I have seen some 69 Firebirds with 4 attaching screws at the bottom and some with 7 screws. Does anyone know why there would be such a difference in the way the Door Panels were attached? The comparison vehicles were built at the same plant so it would not be an assembly variation. Does anyone have an explanation for why there are 4 hole Door Panels versus 7 hole versions?

There can be variation within the same plant.

Keep in mind there are several different operators doing the same job, even within the same day. One regular guy for first shift, one regular guy for second shift, one regular guy for third shift (for those plants running three shifts of production). If the regular guy isnt' there that day then a utility replacement operator would do the job (or the quality man). If they have "rolling relief" (ie, the line keeps going, rather than shutting down, for break) then there would be a "relief" man on the job.

So there's an example of four or five different people doing the same job in the same plant on the same day, each providing an opportunity for slight variations in the way it is done.

K