Decoding the '67 Pontiac

By Kevin Howard
(from POCI Smoke Signals-- Dec. 2000)

The 1967 Pontiac data plate is a major source of information about a car's original build, but too often it is an untapped resource because of the cryptic nature of the codes. The summarized data plate research in this article is carefully drawn from several hundred 1967 Pontiacs. With this information you should be able to decode almost any 1967 Pontiac data plate. As to the value of this information, I think we need to know as much as possible about the '67 Pontiacs to fully appreciate them (whether restoring them, racing them, or cruising them).

No historical archives exist today for 1967 data plates. It is impossible to send away for a photocopy of your original data plate if it is missing. On the other hand, a copy of your car's original billing history sheet is readily available for $35 and a six-week order time from Pontiac Historic Services (phs-online.com). This is the premier documentation available today for classic Pontiacs. The PHS Car Billing History contains the complete list of accessories that were ordered for your car as well as invoice amount and date, dealer code, and engine unit number. I highly recommend this incredible documentation for every Pontiac owner.

The Car Billing History from PHS overlaps much of the information on the data plate and then much more. So why even bother with the data plate? First, the PHS information does not contain any production body sequence codes. These are only found on the physical data plate. Second, PHS is not practical for on-the-spot questions at a car show or a salvage yard about a car's original build because the documentation must be ordered. For these instances it is necessary to decode the data plate. The data plate information is free of charge and it is readily available under the hood of every car.

In my research I made a number of observations. First, station wagons were never produced in high volume, but I was still amazed at how very few of them remain today. Second, I was surprised to find (at least in the cars I researched) that Starlight Black, Fathom Blue, and Plum Mist paint colors were the least common for 1967. They happen to be some of my favorite, but then again, is there really any bad '67 color? The 1967 colors of choice were Gold, White, and Tyrol Blue. Third, a host of GTO and Firebird web sites and books exist, but almost nothing for the fullsize '67s. Is anybody going to step to the plate and address this need? Fourth, although there are still many 1967 Tempests and LeMans, their numbers are being systematically reduced (even the two door models) due to rust, the high demand for GTO parts, and the lack of availability of Tempest/LeMans specific parts. Something is wrong when generally a whole model group of collector cars are worth more for parts than for restoration. Also, some manufacturers seem to make a false assumption (due to the overwhelming popularity of the GTO) that parts for other '67 models do not generate enough market demand. For example, you cannot even purchase a set of Tempest vinyl seat covers or door panels because they have a different heat-sealed rib design than the otherwise-identical GTO/LeMans item. The suppliers need to hear your voice. There is an immediate, pressing need for manufacturers to develop more reproduction parts in all of the '67 model lines. The market demand is definitely there, but manufacturers have not seized the opportunities fast enough.

The Data Plate

The Fisher Body Data Plate (or Tag) contains a series of embossed codes which describe the body of the 1967 Pontiac. Among other data, it lists the build date, assembly plant, paint color, and interior trim color. The 1967 data plate is attached to the firewall near the master cylinder.

Build Date

The Build Date Code, located on the first line of the data plate, indicates when the car was built. It consists of a two-digit month and a single-letter week code. For example, 04C is a build date of the third week (C) of April (04). For the 1967 model year, Build Date Codes range from a beginning date of 08D (fourth week of August 1966) to an ending date of 07D (fourth week of July 1967).

On many of the cars built at the Pontiac and Fremont plants an extra digit (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9) follows the Build Date Code. This code sometimes appears on the bottom right (fifth line) of Baltimore cars. Some researchers suggest it might be a workshift code. This seems unlikely to me given the code values. It seems more likely that it may be some type of priority code or batch code.

Body Style

On the second line of the 1967 data plate, the five-digit Body Style Code follows the abbreviation 'ST' (Style) and '67' (Model Year '67). The following table shows the 1967 body styles and the total cars produced for each style (Standard Catalog of Pontiac 1926-1995, Gunnell and Kowalke, pp. 95-97).

Assembly Plant

The Assembly Plant Code is located in the center of the second line of the data plate. It indicates which plant produced the car. The following table lists the 1967 Pontiac assembly plants and the models they built for the 1967 model year.

Body Number

The Body Number is listed to the right of the Assembly Plant Code. This number does not correspond directly to the VIN, but rather it indicates the consecutive sequence number of each body unit produced by Fisher Body for a particular body style and assembly plant. For example, a Body Number of 18377 on a GTO 2dr hardtop would indicate that it was the 18377th GTO 2dr hardtop body assembled at that particular plant for the 1967 model year.

Trim Number

The Trim Number is located on the third line of the data plate, immediately after the abbreviation 'TR' (Trim). This three-digit number indicates the interior color, front seat style (bucket or bench), and seat material (cloth or vinyl).

Seat Code

The Seat Code (single-letter) follows the Trim Number on the third line, giving further definition to the style of front seats installed in the car. Only data plates from certain plants [(KAN, FRA, PON)] have this code.

Paint Code

The Paint Code is located on the right of the third line, just before the word 'PAINT.' The first letter of the code indicates the lower body color. The second letter of the code indicates the paint color of the upper body (roof). If the second character is numeric it indicates the color of the vinyl roof (on coupes/hardtops/sedans) or the color of the convertible top.

In addition to the following 15 standard Pontiac paint colors for 1967, there were seven special order Pontiac colors - Verdoro Green (sales code 867-99080), Mayfair Maize (868-96908), Coronado Gold (867-97904), Copper Blaze (867-98105), Sierra Red (867-97592), Silver Turquoise (867-99079), and Blue Charcoal (867-97211). A special equipment order form had to be submitted by the dealer to the zone office with the car order. A special order color added additional delivery time and price to the car. The data plate Paint Code is marked "2" for Pontiac special order colors, "1" (or blank) for non-Pontiac colors, and "4" (or "PRIMER") for primer-only finish.

Accessory Codes

A number of miscellaneous codes are often found on the fourth and fifth lines of the data plate. The format and codes on the last two lines varied between the assembly plants. [Three plants (PON, KAN, FRA)] used the very helpful Five Group Accessory Code system below. [One plant (BF)] used the marginally helpful UPC Code system (listed after the Five Group below). [Another plant (BAL)] listed no accessory codes at all on the data plate.

As an example of the Five Group Accessory Code system, WX 2KZGTR 3N 4F 5Y on a GTO data plate from the Pontiac, MI plant indicates the following accessories (numbers mark the beginning of the next code group): tinted windshield (W), power windows (X), A/C (2K), 3-spd auto transmission (Z), console (G), rear-mounted power antenna (T), rear-seat speaker (R), reading lamps (3N), remote control mirror (4F), and deluxe front seat belts (5Y). The meanings of some Five Group Accessory codes are not yet known. As far as I know, no Pontiac factory literature exists to decode the accessory codes. These were determined from cars in the research study.

UPC Code System

The following UPC codes are some common examples found on 1967 data plates of cars built at [Fremont (BF)].

A research project of this size is only possible with the help of many friends. I want to thank the hundreds of '67 owners who allowed me to research their cars. A warm thanks goes to Jack Thompson with his Verdoro Green GTO, Rich and Judy Danalewich with their shoulder belt optioned GTO, and Jim Korczak with his herd of fullsize Pontiacs. They went beyond the call of duty with all their generous help. A warm thanks also goes to Roque Winchester of W&W GTO Heaven who helped me with his field of '67 A-body parts cars. If you are looking for A-body parts or restoration work in the Midwest, contact WWGTO at (618) 372-7184 or email WWGTOHeaven@aol.com. Likewise, Ken of East West Auto Parts in Tulsa, OK gave me a load of info on their '67 parts cars. It says a lot about their commitment to the enthusiast cause when a business takes time to help a research project. When you are looking for parts give the courteous folks at East West a call at (800) 447-2886 or visit their website (www.eastwestautoparts.com). Finally, I want to thank POCI librarian, Fred Lewis, for helping me locate dealer literature which clarified the interior trim codes and special order paint codes.

Hopefully, this article will take us a step forward in what is systematized and published for the '67 Pontiacs. It should not be the last word on the subject. I hope that others will build on this, refine it, and do the same for the other model years.

I continue to carry on the data plate research for all '67 Pontiac models. If you would like to email me your '67 Pontiac data plate info or information related to this article, I would be glad to receive it at kevinhoward@juno.com. In the meantime - keep cruising!

Editor's Note: this article was modified for this website