During the early '70s Pontiac began affixing a paper label to the valve cover of its V8s that contained a computerized bar code used by workers in the engine assembly plant. As years progressed UPC coding began appearing on other under hood components.
If you're lucky, your 1970s Pontiac might be equipped with its original bar code label affixed to its valve cover.
So what was that bar coding used for, you might ask? The January 1977 issue of GM Today—a monthly employee newsletter—holds the answer.
The January 1977 issue of GM Today contains an article on Pontiac's adoption of bar code labeling.
In that article we learn that Pontiac adopted a bar coding system as a way to ensure that its engines were assembled with proper emissions-related components. Workers then used a light pen to read the bar codes and verify that all installed components were correct for the application for complete exhaust emission compliance.
This article tells that Pontiac used bar code labeling to ensure that its engines were assembled using the correct components.
Bar coding became widely used later on by all makes, but during the ‘70s Pontiac installed bar code label on such equipment as the valve cover, carburetor, distributor, and EGR valve. Most were lost to age, however, and only traces may remain today.
Bar code labels could be found on such components as the carburetor, distributor, and EGR valve.
Does your Pontiac have any of its original bar code labels? If so, where have you found them?