Late 69 Camaro 10E Build Date vs Muncie Build Date

[NorCam]

Guy's

I've committed to the purchase of a 69 Z/28 that was built 10E of 69. The engine stamp and diff align nicely with the car, and the broach marks are spot on. It has a semi legible block stamp in the rough cast that also matches the car. The transmission has what appears to be a legit VIN stamp and the only thing I am curious about is the oddly dated Muncie build stamp which is early for this car. Were the late cars (10E) known to come with transmissions built and stamped earlier than the later assembly build dates during this period.

Here are the details of the build.

Door Sticker VIN marked 11/69 with VIN ending N708XXX
Norwood Body # NOR161163 dated 10E
Engine Stamp V1021DZ Cast Date Unknown TBA
Trans Stamp P9K03A - VIN and fonts look good and last character and a box depressed under the font (deeper square box like depression unlike all the other fonts)
Diff Stamp BU 1028G1 (E under it and a stand alone 5 under the G which I've not seen before)

The VIN stamp appears good on the transmission and being a low mile car, it retains all original bolts with the data tag still on the side cover with TR bolts. I doubt it has ever been apart from the looks of it. The curious point to me is the July 3rd date which is over 90 days earlier than the cars actual build date. No docs but I'm assuming the car was built very early November. Anyone seen that spread before on a late built car?

Last 3 numbers of VIN edited out of photo's until I have possession of the car.

Thanks in advance for any info on the trans stamp...

Graeme

[William]

When the quarter panel tooling for the 1970 Camaro failed, Norwood had to scramble to keep '69s in production. Exactly when this became known isn't clear. Through about 09A Z/28s mostly had June/July dated transmissions. Starting 09C, May dated transmissions show up. It appears that at some point, surplus Muncie transmissions were rounded up from other assembly plants and shipped to Norwood. I have another 10E Z/28 with the same date as yours; another has a trans dated May 7. Same for COPOs. Know of a 10A car with a May 23 trans.

Muncie still produced 1969 model year trans for Norwood [P9R; mostly October dates] but there are a few like yours with much earlier dates.

[NorCam]

Thank you for that info William. You have a great wealth of information and I was hoping you would chime in. It is very much appreciated. Have you seen that 5 on the diff stamps before. I've seen the E stamp under the date codes but had no idea what the 5 meant?

[carnut4life]

I have a friend with a 09E COPO with the protect-o-plate, his engine and rear were both assembled the third week of August but the transmission is stamped P9H23 which is 6/23/69.

[COPO]

Have seen late '69 rears with a "C" in front of the "BU"

[William]

No idea on what the 5 means. First one I have seen.

The 'C' prefix on rear axles was added when production resumed early August '69. Possibly because it may cause service confusion, it appears the C was subsequently peened over on some axles [mostly CBU] .

More info here:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10375.0

[rlw68]

You could also check the casting dates on the trans side cover and tail housing.

[Kurt S]

I agree, no issues with that trans.
I bet if you clean to the left of the axle code, there's a C there.
Does it have a 480 distributor?

[jl8z28]

My 11A car is 708 also trans P 9 R 21 has a 2003 dist

[NorCam]

Originally Posted by Kurt S

I agree, no issues with that trans.
I bet if you clean to the left of the axle code, there's a C there.
Does it have a 480 distributor?

No, it is missing the original distributor. It's the only thing I'll need to find in order for it to be complete and correct throughout. I'm assuming it should be an 1112003 casting from what I have leaned recently? Original cowl hood car as well. Has original smog, manifolds, pulleys, rad w/ tag, alt, carb, booster, master, jack, orig spare and all 5 original YH wheels. Rad was just re-cored and smog is off the car at the moment but going back on soon. I've got another 692 water pump for it also.

With that said, a few maintenance items were serviced over the years and will need some minor correcting, but car is very complete and very original throughout. One repaint in the 90's and has 49,000 original miles with all factory sheet metal. 3rd owner added NOS wheel opening moldings. Here's a few pics for now. I'll post more when I get it home and go through in the off season to correct some little things.