1955-57 Chevrolet cowl tags or trim plates were attached to the right hand side of the cowl panel. The plates represented a vehicle’s most basic body characteristics to Fisher Body, the coachworks contracted to build vehicles for Chevrolet Motor Division. Codes listed include Model Year, Model Identification Code, Assembly Plant, Interior Trim Code, Paint Color Code and Vehicle Option Codes. The cowl tag provides invaluable information to the car’s original paint color, interior color and material, and the location of the plant at which the vehicle was built.
A - Model Year Code
The first two digits of the style number represent the model year. For Tri-Five Chevy models, there will either be a “55”, “56” or “57” .
Code - Model Year
55 - 1955
56 - 1956
57 - 1957
B - Model Identification Code
The second set of digits in the style number code represents the style of the vehicle’s bodywork. Within this code, the first two numbers represent the Series Identification - “10” for 210 or Bel Air, “12” indicating 150 Series. The last two numbers represent the bodywork style of the vehicle. A detailed list can be found below. Note: Up to two letters can also be found after the four numbers. A “D” as the first letter represents a Bel Air Series model while an “F” in either location represents a station wagon model. Example: 1062DF can be identified as a Bel Air 4 door wagon
Code - Body Style
1211- 150 2 Door Sedan
1219- 150 4 Door Sedan
1263- 150 2 Door Wagon
1271- 150 2 Door Sedan Delivery
1011- 210 & Bel Air 2 Door Sedan
1011A- 210 Del Ray Club Coupe
1037- 210 & Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
1019- 210 & Bel Air 4 Door Sedan
1039- 210 & Bel Air 4 Door Hardtop
1062- 210 & Bel Air 4 Door Wagon
1063- 210 2 Door Wagon
1064- Bel Air Nomad 2 Door Wagon
1067- Bel Air 2 Door Convertible
C - Assembly Plant Code
The assembly plant code is a combination of two codes, a letter representing the assembly plant location and a sequence number. The list below details the letter code. The numbers after the assembly plant code provide a sequence number indicating the specific assembly plant’s sequence or rotation number and should not be confused with the V.I.N. sequence.
Code- Assembly Plant
F- Flint, Michigan
T- Tarrytown, New York
S- St. Louis, Missouri
K- Kansas City, Missouri
O- Oakland, California
A- Atlanta, Georgia
N- Norwood, OH
B- Baltimore, Maryland
L- Lansing, Michigan
J- Janesville, Wisconsin
VN- Van Nuys, California
CL- Cleveland, Ohio
D - Interior Code
This three digit number represents the interior color and materials for a given vehicle. Codes and patterns are different for each year, but color combinations may cross over. See next page for a detailed list of interior trim codes for each year.
E - Paint Color Code
The paint color code represented in three numbers the exterior paint colors and their locations on the vehicle. Two-tone paint schemes were available from 1955-57 and because of this, separate codes were offered for each color combination. From 1956-57, a letter would sometimes follow the three digit code. An “A” would represent a single paint color and a “B”, “C”, “D” or “E” represented a two-tone paint scheme. Please see the chart on the next page for a detailed list of exterior color codes by model year.
F - Vehicle Option
If a particular vehicle was to be built with optional equipment, the codes for these extras would be stamped below the exterior paint color code. However, even vehicles with options sometimes did not have a stamping on the cowl tag. Minor options were not indicated on the cowl tag. Major options, such as a partial list below, were included.
Code- Vehicle Options
AC- Air Conditioning
CP- Padded Dash
WS- Power Windows and Seats
EZI- Tinted Glass
Interior trim codes indicate the color and material combination for a given vehicle. This list offers a reference for owners who wish to restore their interior trim to original specifications.
