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When I found the build sheet for my '72 U code Supreme, I was nothing short of elated. Thinking it had gone the way of the do-do bird was a thought that tore at me often. So when I did find it, I made the decision to laminate it in the interest of preserving it.
Despite the feedback I've received on this decision, it's held up well. I keep it locked up in my household safe which protects it from any negative environmental impacts. However, it did cause some of the legibility to lose its clarity. Specifically, the option code "A46" is now barely readable.
This troubles me because I'm one who likes to have the documentation and history about my car as accurate as possible.
Now I often think that maybe laminating it wasn't such a good idea after all, because perhaps it's not in its "original" state anymore. I've even done research about the possibility of having it professionally deamination, but that's probably a road best not to travel, so I have to live with and accept my decision, albeit one I regret.
So here's the question, is having the build sheet more important than being able to read the option codes?
Laminating it is fine. I suppose putting in a clear plastic sheet is the same. Or just a folder. Your car has more documentation than most as Fremont had these manifests, and Lansing did not, and the A and B sheets usually got tossed.
A46, power seats, is not an option to worry about seeing. It was far more damaged by other events than lamination. Your car is a U code car, it has the original engine, this can be seen, and your build sheet clearly says L75 455. You are good to go on documentation.
Specifically, the option code "A46" is now barely readable.
From your photo, it looks like there's a crease where the A46 line is. It looks like the sheet got a wrinkle in it during the lamination process. I don't think lamination itself should cause any problems. It's more important to keep it dry and in darkness so it doesn't fade. But you might look into having it delaminated and then re-laminated.
From your photo, it looks like there's a crease where the A46 line is. It looks like the sheet got a wrinkle in it during the lamination process. I don't think lamination itself should cause any problems. It's more important to keep it dry and in darkness so it doesn't fade. But you might look into having it delaminated and then re-laminated.
Have you ever had something delaminated? If so, how did it work out for you?
Hate ro break out a trite maxim but it applies here: it is what it is. The deed is done. Don't cry over spilt milk. Don't lose any sleep. Whatever.
Just leave it alone and preserve it in its laminated state. I think the delamination process (whatever that may entail) could only be detrimental to its condition.
If it's good enough to authenticate the car, I really wouldn't worry.
No, I have not. But I don't think lamination involves sticking anything TO the thing being laminated. For example, people laminate baseball cards, and I doubt anyone would do that if it harmed the card. Lamination just seals the plastic around the edges. If the plastic is thin enough, you might be able to just cut it off with a pair of scissors.
If it were me, I'd just leave it. It's not exactly a crisis that that one line is slightly obscured, and you might only need to be able to read it clearly if you ever sold the car and wanted to prove to the buyer what options it originally came with.
Until then, you said you just keep it locked up in a safe, so what does it matter?
If this ranks in your top ten lifetime regrets, I believe that you’re doing remarkably well…. It’s a U code ‘72 Cutlass, not a retirement plan.😄. Drive the wheels off of it!!!
If this ranks in your top ten lifetime regrets, I believe that you’re doing remarkably well…. It’s a U code ‘72 Cutlass, not a retirement plan.😄. Drive the wheels off of it!!!
Oh believe me, I do , its just that a build sheet is a 1 of 1 document, and the thought of it incurring any undue damage due to an oversight on my part is something that I often think about.
If this ranks in your top ten lifetime regrets, I believe that you’re doing remarkably well…. It’s a U code ‘72 Cutlass, not a retirement plan.😄. Drive the wheels off of it!!!
... its just that a build sheet is a 1 of 1 document, and the thought of it incurring any undue damage due to an oversight on my part is something that I often think about.
Think of it this way: you're not actually supposed to have a build sheet. The line workers were supposed to remove it. The fact that you have one is nothing more than the result of sloppy workmanship.
I showed my dad the build sheet from my 72 U code when I dropped the gas tank in high school. He looked at it, wadded it up and threw it in the fireplace like it was no big deal. Just be thankful you still have yours.
Think of it this way: you're not actually supposed to have a build sheet. The line workers were supposed to remove it. The fact that you have one is nothing more than the result of sloppy workmanship.
To be accurate, the sheet, once the car was built, had no further purpose. Different plants did different things. My plant still prints paper manifests and there is a recycle bin at each pitch where one of them is removed. Each car is probably 20 sheets of paper. You have a sheet per assembly line, and the first guy of the next line will pull the previous one off as part of his job. The icons are BIG so the guy can look at the car and read what it needs. We also have critical parts and shots electronically monitored to make sure that the correct part got picked, and the correct shots happened with the torque guns. It's possible, on the most sophisticated stuff, to change the number of shots, the number of torque of those shots, and then to slap a converter socket for a couple more shots, while also monitoring if that converter is in use or stored as well for those shots. The idea is that the guy reading the manifest, and the electronic vehicle information in the system going with each car, should match.
To be accurate, the sheet, once the car was built, had no further purpose. Different plants did different things. My plant still prints paper manifests and there is a recycle bin at each pitch where one of them is removed ... The idea is that the guy reading the manifest, and the electronic vehicle information in the system going with each car, should match.
Very interesting, but how much of this protocol would have been in place in 1972?
Very interesting, but how much of this protocol would have been in place in 1972?
Well, the manifest did hang at the front of the car, and it did get printed. I don't know how MANY they printed per car. The trash cans were probably there then, too.
I showed my dad the build sheet from my 72 U code when I dropped the gas tank in high school. He looked at it, wadded it up and threw it in the fireplace like it was no big deal. Just be thankful you still have yours.
, its just that a build sheet is a 1 of 1 document, and the thought of it incurring any undue damage due to an oversight on my part is something that I often think about.
