Sponsored Content
Hey guys. What is a B20 paint code?
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Sign In to Like this post
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support Vette Registry)
B20 is actually the body build date - month and day (refer to https://www.vetteregistry.net/c3-corvette-build-date-trim-tag). 1975 model year production began in October (which was month A) so B20 refers to the 20th day of November.
If I'm deciphering the codes correctly from The Corvette Black Book
652 signifies the interior was originally medium saddle in color,
56 signifies the original exterior color was bright yellow and the
L signifies the seats were covered in leather.
I'm no expert so if anyone has better info please feel free to correct me.
|UPDATED|9/30/2025 7:35:01 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send PMModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22714
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
B20 would be an approximate build date of November 20th, 1974. Approximate because the car would probably not be finished on that day, but it had passed the point on the line where the Trim Tag was attached. The body was still just the painted body, not assembled, with no interior, and not mated to the frame/driveline. Depending on what time of day it passed the trim tag point, it could be one or more days before final assembly was complete.
652= Medium Saddle Leather interior
56L=Bright Yellow paint. The "L" in the paint line is up for debate. Some say it was for Laquer paint, some say it denoted "Lower" for two toned paint...which was not available on the Corvette until 1978. As it stands, the "L" in the paint line is irrelevant for our purposes. 😉
stoopid spelchek....🙄
|UPDATED|9/29/2025 9:22:55 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
652= Medium Saddle Leather interior
56L=Bright Yellow paint. The "L" in the paint line is up for debate. Some say it was for Laquer paint, some say it denoted "Lower" for two toned paint...which was not available on the Corvette until 1978. As it stands, the "L" in the paint line is irrelevant for our purposes. 😉
|UPDATED|9/29/2025 9:22:55 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Be the first to like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Sign In to Like this post
Thanks Double A - I figured you would have a better answer than mine. The "L"/"U" designation was also used in other makes and models for noting the paint codes of the lower ("nnL") and upper ("nnU") portions of optional two tone paint schemes. In The Corvette Black Book there are multiple designations for the material used in interiors and the "L" signifies Leather so that was a bit confusing to me with the letter next to the paint code.
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
1 person likes this post
Sign In to Like this post
Sign In to Like this post
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
Sponsored Content