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Decoding 1971 Protect-O-Plate
There are some differences in the layout between US built cars and Canadian built cars. Both layouts shown below.
1971 United States Built Cars
1971 Canadian Built CarsNote that there are some plates that do not have all of these details but it is not common.
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Vehicle Identification Number
See VIN decode pageCarburetor Manufacturer
B - Bay City
C - Carter
R - RochesterEngine Info
Assembly Plant
V - Flint, Michigan
K - McKinnon Industries
T - Tonawanda Engine PlantAssembly Date
Month
01 - January
02 - February
03 - March
04 - April
05 - May
06 - June
07 - July
08 - August
09 - September
10 - October
11 - November
12 - December
Day
01 to 31Engine Suffix Code
CGA - 350 ci 2 barrel with manual trans
CGB - 350 ci 2-barrel with Powerglide trans
CGC - 350 ci 2-barrel with TH 350 trans
CGK - 350 ci 4 barrel with manual trans
CGL - 350 ci 4-barrel with TH 350 trans
CJD - 350 ci 4-barrel with TH 350 trans
CJJ - 350 ci 4 barrel with manual trans
CLA - 402 ci 4 barrel with manual trans
CLB - 402 ci 4 barrel with TH 400 trans
CLL - 402 ci 4 barrel with manual trans
CLP - 402 ci 4 barrel with manual trans
CPD - 454ci 4 barrel with TH 400 transRear Axle Info
Axle Prefix Code
CF - 3.31:1 with Positraction
CH - 2.73:1 with Positraction
CW - 3.31:1
GA - 2.56:1
GB - 2.56:1 with Positraction
GC - 2.73:1
GD - 2.73:1 with Positraction
GH - 2.73:1
KD - 2.73:1
RU - 3.31:1
RV - 3.31:1 with PositractionAssembly Plant
B - Buffalo, NY
G - Chevrolet Gear & Axle
W - Warren, MI
K - McKinnon IndustriesAssembly Date
Three digit Julian date starting with Jan 1, 1970
Example: 028 is January 28, 1970. 365 is December 31, 1970.
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Assembly Month
United States Built Cars
H - August
J - September
K - October
L - November
M - December
A -January
B - February
C - March
D - April
E - May
F - June
G - JulyCanadian Built Cars
8 - August
9 - September
0 - October
N - November
D - December
1 -January
2 - February
3 - March
4 - April
5 - May
6 - June
7 - JulyTransmission Info
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400Model year
71 - 1971 model yearEngine Type
D - 402 engine
F - 454 engineDate of Build
Three digit Julian date starting with Jan 1, 1970All other transmissions
Assembly Plant and Transmission Type
B - Cleveland Turbo Hydramatic 350
C - Cleveland Powerglide
E - McKinnon Industries Powerglide
J - GM of Canada Turbo Hydramatic 350
K - McKinnon Industries 3-speed Manual
P - Muncie 4-speed Manual
R - Muncie 4-speed Manual
S - Muncie 3-speed Manual
Y - Toledo Turbo Hydramatic 350Year
1 - 1971 model yearAssembly Month
M - August
P - September
R - October
S - November
T - December
A - January
B - February
C - March
D - April
E - May
H - June
K - JulyAssembly Day
01-31Assembly Shift
D - Day shift
N - Night shift
Note not all plates have shift codes