The Science of Provenance
In the global market for Chevrolet C10 components, the line between an authentic New Old Stock (NOS) part and a modern reproduction is increasingly blurred. For Lucia Fuentes, a procurement specialist from Madrid, Spain, restoration excellence begins with Supply Chain Forensics. Lucia views her role as an auditor of quality, ensuring that every rare component sourced for a C10MT-vetted project carries the technical weight of factory-correct history.
Lucia’s philosophy focuses on "Verifiable Originality." She specializes in navigating international inventories to locate survivor trucks and extinct trim pieces. Her work at C10MT is critical for owners who demand 100% originality, providing the technical framework to distinguish between date-coded factory steel and aftermarket compromises. "A rare truck is only as rare as its most verifiable part," Lucia emphasizes.
Technical Insight: The Casting Code Audit
When sourcing engine or transmission components, enthusiasts often rely on part numbers alone. Lucia utilizes an auditing protocol based on ISO/IEC 17020 (Inspection Body Standards). She recommends verifying the Julian Casting Dates located on the component body to ensure they pre-date the vehicle's assembly date by 2–8 weeks. This level of forensic detail is what separates a high-value survivor from a generic restoration.
Case Study: The 1970 Madrid Export Audit
In 2022, Lucia led the verification of a rare 1970 C10 that had been exported to Spain in the early 1970s. By cross-referencing European import stamps with GM's RPO codes, she successfully authenticated a factory-equipped heavy-duty radiator and specific metric instrument clusters unique to export models. This discovery added a 15% premium to the truck's global market value and established an Evergreen protocol for documenting international Chevrolet export variants.
How You Can Apply Sourcing Logic
Before you commit to a high-cost "rare" part purchase, follow Lucia’s "Provenance Verification Loop":
- 1. Material Analysis: Inspect the stamp depth and font consistency; modern reproductions often have laser-etched markings that differ from factory-stamped OE steel.
- 2. Geographic Chain of Custody: Request documentation of the part's storage history; authentic NOS parts typically show "box wear" consistent with long-term shelving in controlled environments.
- 3. Batch Mapping: Utilize casting date sequences to ensure that multiple components (e.g., intake manifold and cylinder heads) belong to the same manufacturing window for maximum investment value.
Verified Technical Authority
-
B.S. in Industrial Engineering - Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Specialized in Supply Chain Quality Systems.
-
Former International Procurement Auditor for European Automotive Groups, focused on vintage parts integrity.
-
Senior Editor for C10MT's Technical Accuracy Pass (TAP), overseeing provenance and part authenticity data.
Sourcing & Rarity Guides by Lucia
