Whether you’re buying, selling, owning, or just obsessed with Chevrolet vehicles, the clearest way to see how a specific car left the factory is its build sheet. That document is the assembly plant’s own blueprint for how the vehicle was built—covering option and trim packages, exterior color and interior trim codes, engine and transmission type, axle and gear ratios, and the production codes that defined it the day it rolled off the line.
Access to that kind of data isn’t uniform across brands: some automakers routinely surface build records or original window stickers, while Chevrolet coverage varies by model year and is based on which assembly tracking systems were in use at the time. To manage that variability, we provide a Chevrolet Build Sheet by VIN lookup tool. Enter the vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and, whenever manufacturer data is available, you’ll see an official record of how that specific Chevrolet was configured. If a complimentary factory build sheet can’t be returned, the system automatically checks for a manufacturer window sticker at no cost as a backup. When neither document can be pulled directly, we rely on a vetted data partner to reconstruct the build sheet or window sticker from official VIN-linked records, so the final report still reflects a complete and accurate factory spec.
The FAQ below walks through where Chevrolet build data comes from, what these documents actually show, and how they help verify a car’s true original configuration.
A Chevrolet build sheet is an internal factory document that tells assembly-line workers exactly how a specific vehicle is to be built. In GM terminology it’s often called a broadcast sheet—the sheet that “broadcasts” the car’s configuration to the assembly stations. It lists the VIN or internal order number, scheduled build date, plant information, and a long list of codes that define options, colors, and components.
Enthusiasts prize it because it’s one of the few documents that ties a specific car to its as-built configuration at the plant, rather than what a dealer ordered or what a salesperson told the customer.
A typical Chevrolet build or broadcast sheet will include most or all of the following, depending on era and plant:
Vehicle identification (VIN or partial VIN, internal order number, body style)
Model year, assembly plant, and scheduled build date/shift
Paint and trim codes (exterior color, vinyl roof where applicable, interior materials and colors)
Drivetrain information (engine, transmission, axle ratio, sometimes cooling and exhaust)
Regular Production Option (RPO) codes for packages and individual options
Destination and routing information (zone, dealer, shipping method)
Internal plant instructions, routing lines, sequence numbers, and quality-control notations
The layout and level of detail vary by decade and by plant; some sheets are compact, others are multi-page or duplicated on specific parts of the vehicle, called subassemblies.
In Chevrolet and broader GM usage, the term “broadcast sheet” is closer to the original internal language, while “build sheet” is the term hobbyists commonly use today. Functionally, they refer to the same thing: printed instructions used on the assembly line to tell workers which parts and options to install on a specific car or truck.
You will sometimes see multiple broadcast copies for the same vehicle—one attached to the body, another to a subassembly—so finding more than one per car isn’t unusual on older vehicles.
It’s easy to mix these up; they are not interchangeable:
Customer order form / dealer order – What the dealer ordered from Chevrolet; this reflects intent, not necessarily what was built.
Dealer invoice – What the factory billed the dealer when the car shipped: shows options, MSRP, wholesale price, destination, and the selling dealer. It’s financial documentation versus being related to assembly, but reflects many of the same items.
SPID / RPO label (Service Parts Identification) – A label in the car that lists RPO codes actually built into that vehicle, used for service and parts.
Protect‑O‑Plate / warranty card – Older Chevrolet Vehicles used a metal or plastic plate with stamped codes for engine, transmission, and warranty data, issued with the car’s warranty booklet.
Service history / repair orders – What happened to the car after delivery.
The build sheet is the internal instruction sheet at the moment of assembly; the others are either customer-facing or service-facing documents.
In the pre-digital era, GM printed multiple broadcast/build sheets for each vehicle and attached them to the body and key subassemblies. Assembly workers read those sheets as the car moved down the line, using the codes to select the correct springs, trim, drivetrain, colors, and options.
Once the station’s work was done, workers often tossed the sheet—hence why many build sheets never survived. Others were left in the car when it left the plant, either intentionally or because they were never removed.
On many U.S.-market Chevrolet cars from the 1960s–1980s, build/broadcast sheets were taped or tucked where workers could see them and where they wouldn’t fall off. Common discovery points for enthusiasts include:
Under or inside seat cushions (especially rear seats)
Behind or inside door panels
Under carpet or sound deadening on the floor
On top of the fuel tank
Inside seat backs or rear side panels
Because these sheets were never meant for the customer, they were not placed somewhere easy to see or retrieve. Heat, moisture, rodents, and prior repairs often destroyed them, which is why an intact sheet is considered a lucky find rather than a common form of documentation for older models.
No. Many left the plant with at least one broadcast sheet attached, but most have been discarded or destroyed over decades of use, repairs, and restorations. In some plants and during some years, surviving in-car sheets are extremely rare; in others (certain late‑1960s through early‑1970s models) they show up more often. You should assume you might find a physical build sheet in a vintage Chevrolet, but don’t assume that you definitely will.
On late‑model Chevrolet Vehicles, the underlying idea is the same—GM’s systems track every option and configuration item on a given model—but the information lives in digital form. Today, “build sheet” usually refers to:
An internal GM or dealer system printout listing all RPO codes and options for a VIN
The vehicle’s SPID/RPO label where present
Occasionally, a factory-supplied “build record” or certificate from the GM Heritage or media archive for certain years
Owners and dealers often call any detailed option printout a “build sheet,” even if it doesn’t look like the old paper broadcast sheets.
The SPID label is a sticker (historically often in the glove box, trunk, or door area) listing a block of three-character RPO (Regular Production Option) codes for that vehicle. It’s used for parts and service to identify how the vehicle was equipped from the factory.
Because it reflects the as‑built configuration, the SPID label is essentially a compact, customer‑accessible derivative of the internal build information. It’s not a full broadcast sheet, but for many modern Chevrolet Vehicles the SPID plus a VIN-based system lookup effectively replaces the old paper build sheet.
GM maintains a corporate heritage/media archive that includes build documentation and dealer invoices for many vehicles. Publicly accessible pieces include:
GM Heritage Archive Vehicle Information Kits – Free downloadable PDF info kits for many GM models (specs, option lists, ordering info) from the early 1900s through the 2000s. These are model-level, not VIN-specific.
VIN-specific documentation via the GM media archive – Through a vendor (Allied Vaughn), GM provides copies of original dealer invoices and, for many later vehicles, build documentation from internal records, starting with broad coverage from the 1977 model year.
Coverage is not uniform for every Chevrolet and every year, but for many U.S.-market cars and trucks from 1977 onward you can obtain some form of official build or invoice record.
If you’re dealing with a vintage Chevrolet and want to look for a hidden build/broadcast sheet:
Start with documentation – Photograph the car as‑is, including interior and undercarriage, before disassembly.
Rear seat first – Carefully remove the lower rear seat cushion (usually by pushing back and lifting). Inspect the springs and burlap for a taped or folded sheet.
Seat backs and side panels – If you’re comfortable, remove the rear seat backs and side interior panels; check the backing and springs.
Carpet and insulation – When carpet is already being replaced, inspect the insulation/underlayment between it and the floor for taped sheets.
Fuel tank – Only when the tank is being removed for service, check the top surface for a taped broadcast sheet.
Use gloves and support fragile paper from underneath; old broadcast sheets can crumble when handled. If you’re not experienced with trim removal, it’s safer to let a restorer or upholstery shop handle it to avoid tearing original materials.
For many U.S. Chevrolet Vehicles from 1977 onward, you can request documentation from the GM media/heritage archive:
The GM Heritage Archive maintains vehicle build documentation, dealer invoices, and/or build sheets in digital or microfilm form for most GM vehicles starting with the 1977 model year.
Requests are handled via the archive’s media partner (for example, Allied Vaughn), with order forms and instructions linked from GM’s heritage site.
Typically you’ll need:
The full VIN
Proof of ownership and identification
Payment of a fee per document or per vehicle
Expect coverage gaps: some years/plants may have missing film or incomplete records. Always read the current terms on the archive site, because policies and prices change over time.
For late‑model Chevrolet Vehicles, many dealers can enter a VIN into their service or parts system and print a list of RPO codes and options. That printout is not an original broadcast sheet, but functionally it’s the same configuration data. Whether they’ll do this at no charge is entirely up to the dealer.
Policies have tightened over time; some dealers or manufacturer customer-service channels no longer provide detailed “build sheets” directly to owners and instead refer people to paid archive/heritage services for formal documents.
Third‑party services range from:
Enthusiast-run documentation services specializing in particular models (e.g., Camaro, Corvette)
Commercial vehicle-history vendors that incorporate some option data
Reproduction window sticker providers such as iSeeCars’ Window Sticker by VIN that can recreate a sticker for display
They can be useful, but you need to understand their source data. If the service is using genuine GM invoice or build records, it can be a strong supplement to your own documentation. If it’s based solely on what could have been ordered for that model, it’s essentially an educated reconstruction, not hard proof.
If you come up empty:
Use the VIN, cowl/trim tags, engine and transmission stampings, and SPID label (if present) to reconstruct configuration from published decoding guides.
Look for dealer paperwork: original invoice, sales contract, or warranty booklet with a Protect‑O‑Plate.
Collect period photos showing the car early in its life (stripe patterns, badging, interior, wheels).
For high‑value models, consider an expert inspection by a marque specialist.
A car with no build sheet can still be documented to a high standard; it just takes more due diligence and cross‑checking.
A practical approach:
Verify identity – Confirm that the VIN or internal order number on the sheet matches the car (VIN tag, title).
Confirm year and plant – Read the model year and assembly plant; some decoding rules are plant‑specific.
Map the layout – Identify which rows/columns correspond to VIN, paint, trim, drivetrain, and options.
Decode the VIN – Use year‑correct VIN charts to break down division, series, body style, engine, year, plant, and sequence.
Decode RPO and other codes – Use RPO lists and documentation to translate each code into plain language (e.g., off‑road suspension, locking differential, specific engine).
Interpret paint and trim – Cross‑reference paint codes and trim codes with factory charts for that year.
Check drivetrain and axle entries – Confirm engine, transmission, axle, and ratio codes against known RPO lists.
Cross‑check with the car – Compare what the sheet says to what is physically on the vehicle; note any changes or mismatches.
Treat the sheet as a map: read each field, translate it using year‑correct references, and write out a description in a plain‑language summary.
RPO (Regular Production Option) codes are three‑character codes (letters and/or digits) that specify an option or package. Some examples, across various Chevrolet lines:
Z28 – High‑performance package on first‑generation Camaros, including the 302‑cid V8 and associated hardware
Z71 – Off‑road suspension package on many Chevy trucks and SUVs
G80 – Locking/limited‑slip style rear differential on many trucks/SUVs
To decode RPO codes:
Locate the code list on the build sheet or SPID label.
Use a reputable RPO decoder or factory list for the relevant era.
Be aware that some codes are reused in different eras with different meanings; always cross-reference the code with the correct model year.
Codes cover everything from axle ratios and springs to radios, trim packages, paint schemes, and convenience features.
Paint and trim codes typically appear in dedicated fields:
Paint code – Often two digits (or alphanumeric) for older models, indicating the body color; e.g., 72 on a 1969 Camaro corresponds to Hugger Orange.
Trim code – Indicates interior style and color; e.g., 711 on a 1969 Camaro denotes black standard interior.
Drivetrain entries may appear as RPO codes (e.g., Z28 including a specific 302‑cid V8 option, or separate engine codes like LM1, L89, etc.) and separate transmission codes.
For accurate interpretation, you must use factory charts or high‑quality reference guides for the exact model year and vehicle line.
Consider a simplified example based on a 1969 U.S.-market Camaro coupe:
VIN shows it’s a V8 Camaro built in 1969 at a U.S. assembly plant.
Paint: 72 – Hugger Orange
Trim: 711 – Black standard interior
RPO: Z28 – Z/28 package including a 302‑cid high‑performance V8 and associated suspension and appearance upgrades
Additional RPO codes might specify power front disc brakes, specific axle ratio, radio type, and special exhaust
Decoded into plain language, that sheet describes a 1969 Camaro Z/28, Hugger Orange with black standard interior, built at a specific plant on a specific date, with clearly defined drivetrain and option content.
Take a late‑model Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 as an example:
The VIN decoded via GM’s system identifies it as a half‑ton 4WD pickup with a given engine and cab configuration.
The RPO list (printed from the dealer system or read from the SPID label) includes:
Z71 – Off‑road suspension package with tuned shocks, skid plates, and related hardware
G80 – Automatic locking rear differential
Codes for bed length, axle ratio, infotainment system, tow package, interior trim, and paint
Decoding each RPO against a current RPO database gives a detailed build picture: suspension spec, gearing, off‑road hardware, interior and exterior packaging, and major options.
Common issues include:
Using the wrong year’s code list – GM reused some codes over time; Z‑codes, for example, can mean different things in different eras.
Assuming every code is documented – Some plant‑specific or routing codes are poorly documented or effectively lost to history.
Over‑interpreting rarity – Just because a code looks obscure doesn’t mean the car is one of a handful built; you often need production research, not just the code list.
Trusting a sheet that doesn’t match the car – If the engine, tags, and physical configuration don’t line up with the sheet, treat the sheet with caution; it may be misfiled or reproduced incorrectly.
When in doubt, cross‑check multiple sources: VIN, cowl tag, SPID label, drivetrain stampings, and known factory documentation.
They serve very different purposes:
Build sheet / broadcast sheet
Internal document used during production
Focused on how to build the vehicle: codes, routing, components, options
Intended for factory workers and internal systems, not customers
Window sticker / Monroney label
Federally mandated customer information label required on new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S. since the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958, in effect since the 1959 model year
Displays MSRP, destination charge, standard and optional equipment, option prices, EPA fuel economy, safety ratings, and other required disclosures
Affixed to the window at or before delivery to the dealer; meant for customers, regulators, and dealers
The build sheet is about internal assembly; the window sticker is about legally mandated disclosure and pricing to the buyer.
Not to the same degree. A window sticker shows what the car was supposed to be equipped with and how it was priced; a build sheet shows how the car was actually configured on the line. In practice:
A genuine original window sticker plus matching VIN and options is good evidence, especially when backed by invoice and Protect‑O‑Plate.
A build sheet or factory build record tying a specific VIN to specific RPO and option content is often treated as stronger evidence for originality, because it reflects internal production data rather than sales paperwork.
Reproduction window stickers, which are common and often legitimate as display items, have zero evidentiary value by themselves unless they can be tied directly to GM‑sourced information.
For many U.S.-market Chevrolet Vehicles—especially performance models and special editions—build documentation answers questions that dramatically affect value:
Was this car really built as a high‑performance variant (e.g., Z/28, SS with specific engine, special truck package), or was it cosmetically cloned later?
Did it leave the factory with this engine, this color, this interior, and these options?
Are the “rare options” being advertised actually present on the build sheet or just added later?
Accurate build information helps restorers put the car back to correct specification, helps appraisers assign appropriate value, and helps buyers avoid paying a premium for something that wasn’t originally equipped with rare features.
Treat the build sheet as one piece of a documentation stack:
High weight – Genuine factory-sourced build sheet or archive record that clearly ties to the VIN
Also important – Original dealer invoice, Protect‑O‑Plate, early registration records, and a physical inspection of VIN tags and drivetrain stampings
Supportive – Original window sticker, period photographs, maintenance records
If the build sheet conflicts with physical evidence (e.g., the engine stamp doesn’t match, or the trim tag says something different), you have to resolve that conflict rather than blindly trusting the sheet.
For an original in-car broadcast sheet or early GM paperwork:
Do not laminate it – Lamination is permanent and can damage fragile paper.
Flatten carefully – If it’s wrinkled, gently flatten it between acid‑free sheets with a light weight on top.
Use archival materials – Store in an acid‑free sleeve or folder, away from light, heat, and moisture.
Digitize it – Make high‑resolution scans or photographs for everyday reference so the original isn’t handled repeatedly
Keep the original with the car’s important documents (title, invoice, etc.), not loose in the glove box where heat and UV will destroy it.
If you have any issues or questions, feel free to reach out to our support team via info at buildsheetbyvin dot com.