MikeInAZ

I have almost finished phase 1 of a reproduction RPO label for a 86 T/A. Below is an image. Before anybody slices it apart let me explain a couple of things and ask for some help.

1. I have never seen a "real, live" RPO label every car I have messed with has it missing. Also I have never even seen a good photo of one that is still intact for this vintage car.

2. Long time ago Vader provided me with an "image" of a RPO label sample. I believe he was using it as a sample in one of his documents so I'm not sure it was correct in appearance or dimension.

Here's where I need help:

Please look at this label and tell me any obvious mistakes.

Anyone with a good photo of a RPO label, preferrably 1986, preferrably from a T/A would be most helpful.

Anyone that could take the measurements would also be greatly appreciated (please in millimeters mm)




This one measures app. 190mm wide x 65mm tall when printed.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Best I could do is 87... at least right now...

What font did you use?

MikeInAZ

The font is:

atmfull.ttf = EXTRA! Full New ...@ 10 points.

I used Arial for the Top Descriptions

Vader searched for this font for a long time before passing it on to me. I will have a download link shortly for it. Yep, provide any 87 info you might have in case i don't get any 86 info.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Your example comes pretty close tot he label in my Iroc... I'll snap a pic when I get a chance, but it'll probably be a day or two.

ebby53

I'm looking at mine now, '86 T/A....the fonts do not look just right, for example the legs on the "A" of the codes are shorter, no dots in the Zero's, the "9" does not have as long a leg curling left, stuff like that.... the thing measures 76.5mmX152mm, Service Parts Identification and the other three phrases seem to not be centered in the GREY bars..like a half space up..more grey on the bottom of the words than on the top. BCCC has no space between the 2nd and 3rd letters. If I can ever figure out how to get this scanner working I'll send you the actual picture......hope this helps.........

PS: In the 1986 GM Service Manual, on page 0A-14, it says " For additional information on the Service Parts Identification Label, see a GM Parts Catolog".........where ever you can find one, if you do let me know, HELM does not show one available. I'm kinda interested in this also, if I find one and buy it I'll let you know. By the way the manual came from FAXON AUTO LITERATURE, Riverside, CA, 800-458-2734.....2 years ago....

Just found a source for the GM Parts manual......$149.00, too rich for my blood. Think I'll stick with my friend at the Pontiac Dealership and the CD ROM I bought for 30.00 bucks......

MikeInAZ

Yes, Ebby, if you could scan or snap a close up straight on pic that would be great. That way I can research the font and spacing and even the paper stock more thoroughly.

When you get time Drew I would like to see your 87 too.

I have the GM shop manual. I have the parts manual on microfiche but I'm thinking I would rather see a photo of a "known" good label.

I WILL nail this puppy......

ebby53

Here tis...maybe

ebby53

How 'bout now?????

MikeInAZ

?

Having troubles Ebby?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

This is the best I can do with a digital camera... the flash makes the label bright white, without its blurry, with a trouble light its yellow and out of focus...

Mirsiro427

Label from the '85 IROC I sold a couple of months ago;

ebby53

Can't get a file small enough for thirdgen to accept it.....I'll take a picture and see it it works well enough...the one from mirsiro427 looks pretty good.

MikeInAZ

OK guys. This is getting me somewhere. I can already see that my label is not tall enough. At least all I have to add there is blank white space.

1. Am I correct in seeing that these top and bottom bars are gray?

2. Can anyone confirm that these are labels appear the same as the 86 labels?

3. In your best guess is this a paper label that glue was put on (kind of dull stock) or a self adhesive type label. (kind of shiny stock)?

I really appreciate the info and photos.

Mirsiro427

The label in my old IROC was just a plain paper label, with a clear protective layer over it. You can see the edge of it, where it overlaps the label onto the black plastic.

ebby53

Whew!!!!!!!!

MikeInAZ

OK..... version 2 how close is it?

Blue502

Looks to me like you still need a lot more empty space in the label.

I just went out and looked real closely, and my '86 looks like the example of the 85 IROC above, and appears to be paper under a self adhesive laminate. The paper was printed prior to the laminate being applied, and there is some minor bleeding of the ink.

My '88 IROC rpo sheet is definately not paper, but a real thin clear plastic (most likely mylar) with the background colors printed on the backside in reverse so they show through the plastic. The codes are printed over the top. There is no laminate or decal over the rpo sheet like in the '86. I have an rpo sheet I took out of a console in a wrecked '88 sport coupe and it is also plastic as described above, I could mic it if anyone is really that interested. The part # is 14085266 in '88.

MikeInAZ

Thanks Blue. You're right. Not enough blank space. The problem is still the font. I could squeeze the leading a bit but it isn't going to solve the appearance problem.

A while back someone posted "does anyone offer a repro RPO label?" And I wondered how hard it would be to produce an accurate as possible reproduction. Not for forgery purposes but rather restoration and legitimate reasons.

I have answered my question. Given the right font and a knowledge of a photo editing program....... not too hard. Without a custom designed font......... real hard.

The font I wound up with is fairly accurate as far as style but it is too bold. Also it has to be set to 12 point to make the spacing anywhere near close to produce a 15 column RPO label.

If I were going to offer to the public a service like Pontiac Historical I would pay to get the font designed but I am SURE I don't want to undertake this project. Most potential customers are "missing" their RPO labels. Which would mean base level RPO research, then PHS documentation for the optional RPO's and there would still be a half dozen RPO's that would be in question.

I think I will use a stock Arial type font and thin it down a bit and create more white space and print myself a label. I also think that it will be less obvious that some of the characters are not the right style vs. the right characters but bold print.

Thanks to everyone that helped on this.

Mirsiro427

Mike, I think what you've got so far is pretty good. For now I can't see a need to work so hard to get it exactly correct. I think a lot of people whose cars are missing the SPID would buy a replacement label that was close, just so they had one. As we all know, third gens are many years away from concours style judging, as far as restored cars are concerned, so I think what you have is good enough for now. Cars that would benefit from having an exact replica, like my old '85 and Scott's '87 IROC, don't need a new SPID in the first place, furthering my point that what you've come up with is just fine.

It's amusing to me to think that, possibly, collecting dust in some GM warehouse are cases of blank SPID labels and the printers they used to print them, while we work on trying to replicate the silly things.

MikeInAZ

Thanks for that encouragement. You are right there are probably tons of labels and printers sitting around somewhere.

My main interest was for the older models and it was for possibly a future venture.

When I take on something like this I like to get it right. I think there is a name for it but I cant say it on this board. I also think it begins with an "a" and ends with a "nal"........... LOL

MikeInAZ

OK here's an updated version. I couldn't leave it alone. I know the scale is right cuz' I discovered a way to lay a template underneath. I also discovered a font that is close. This is as close as I can get ..... complete with erratic lines.

I will round the edges when I cut it.

scottmoyer

I'm assuming they're close, so here's an 86 Olds 442 SPID.