This may sound like a strange question, but in '73 or for that matter any year, when or what month did the manufacture of the model year begin? Does it go by the calendar year? Or could you buy a '73 in late '72???

My cowl tag indicates that my '73 was built on the third week of December.

So, does that mean it was manufactured in December of '72 so it could be sold for the '73 model year? Or was it manufactured in December of '73 and was one of the last built for '73?

This may sound like a strange question, but in '73 or for that matter any year, when or what month did the manufacture of the model year begin? Does it go by the calendar year? Or could you buy a '73 in late '72???

My cowl tag indicates that my '73 was built on the third week of December.

So, does that mean it was manufactured in December of '72 so it could be sold for the '73 model year? Or was it manufactured in December of '73 and was one of the last built for '73?

Jay, you must be a mind-reader because I was just thinking of posting the same sort of question about my car. My 72 was a 1st week of October (10A) and I have some reasons to think mine is an early 72 (71-1/2) due to no smog or charcoal canister and also the type of seat belts were more used in 71....so mine may have been 'built' in 71...I mean they have them on the lot in 71 so, it could be couldnt it??

I think your correct that yours was actually built in Oct. of '71. But, I'm not really sure. I'm sure someone on these forums knows the manufacture "window".

Hey, on another small trivia fact. I just read that the 3rd gen's (and I just sold my '72) was only suppose to go to 1971. The '72 were suppose to be the next or 4th gen. It would look like my '73.

I quote the following from an article in one of my Chevelle books: "As pointed out in an article title "Exposing the '73 Chevelle" in a mid 1972 issue of Hot Rod magazine, Chevrolet had more than the usual amount of time to redesign the 1973 model. However, the rushed birth of the second generation Camaro and GM's early changeover to no-lead-compatible engines interupted development of the new Chevelle and made the schedule tight, even though an extra year was taken to get the project done. "

Have no idea why, but just figured I tell somebody....

You'se guys must be kids :lol: Back in the olden days, the new car lines were introduced in September (+-). So production for a 72 model year car would start in (late) July or early August (my guesstimate) so the new cars could be in the dealers on rollout date. Generally a model years production would start in August of the previous year and go to late june of the model year. That would give the factorys a few weeks down time for the "model year changeover".

So to summarize 1972 year model production would go from August 1971 to June 1972.

Back then (morso in the 50's/60's) it was a big deal to introduce the new models. Our Studebaker dealer would paper over his display window in mid August. New cars would be brought in at nite and immediately put into the showroom. Supposedly no one could see the new cars till the appropriate date.

Hey Rick,
You should'nt date yourself like that! But, you are absolutely right...LOL

RACER X

Rick, you mention the Studebaker. Remember the 1957 Golden Hawk? What a vehicle!!! A very, very fast machine. The speedo showed 150 and the needle would go right on past that.

Thanks Rick. Yep, I guess I'm just a youngster :-). I was in high school during the early '70's and didn't have the opportunity to purchase a new vehicle then. All mine were very very used......

But, I am very gratefull for your words and I always enjoy learning something from the past.

Thanks again,

Jay

The production year varied from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from model to model and year to year but generally speaking manufacturers began producing the model year late (August, September) in the previous year. As a kid in the '50s I remember my friends and I riding riding our bikes all over town to the introductions of the new models. It was a big thing back then and all the new car dealers went all out to make it an event.

That was a great time in automotive history! . The auto makers would bring out fresh new styles every year and have the grand opening event at the dealer. I am particularly fond of the 66-72 years...I remember seeing the new 68 427 Corvette coupe and thinking WOW! or riding up to the local Plymouth dealer on our bikes and checking out the new GTX, Road Runners and Cuda's in the showroom....oh that new car smell!....a short ride down the road and we could check out the new Cougars and Mustangs or go next door and google the new GTO and Firebirds..
Everything was so fresh and I don't think there was a bad car in the lot for 68-69.
Special treat was seeing a new set of cars on the transporter in mid august...it would just get your blood flowing.....sigh now we just have bubble cars that all look the same . except for the overpriced domestic exotics that are so over priced you need to be a senator to afford one.
They are starting to come out with some nice cars like the 05 Mustang or the new GTO...but they are still priced out of my range.