The Protect-O-Plate looked...
The Protect-O-Plate looked similar to the Ident-O-Plate and served the same purpose of automating customer and vehicle data into the service-warranty process. This one's from '66.
According to Bob Adams, a retired Pontiac dealer, "Some dealers had the Dymo Tape Writer and some didn't. That's why not all '67 Protect-O-Plates have the name plates filled in. In addition, if the car was resold during the warranty period, Dymo Tape was often placed over the original owner's name and address, despite the fact that Pontiac had an official form that was supposed to be returned to the factory with the original Protect-O-Plate to get a new one issued."
Though Pontiac intended to include the '67 Protect-O-Plates with the Owners Protection Plan booklets at the beginning of the model year, they were not available. Pontiac, as an alternative method, sent out Protect-O-Plates to dealers affixed on blue Warranty Credential Cards.
On December 20, 1966, Pontiac sent a letter to all new owners of '67 Pontiacs, along with the overdue Owners Protection Plan:
Dear Pontiac Owner,
It is with pleasure that I enclose your personal Owner Protection Plan booklet. We suggest you review the contents of this booklet carefully, as it contains full details of the advantages provided for you under our Pontiac New Vehicle Warranty. The booklet also outlines certain requirements which you, as the owner, must fulfill to ensure protection of your vehicle under the warranty.
For '67, General Motors sold...
For '67, General Motors sold Dymo Tape and imprinters to Pontiac dealers, which they used to enter the owner plate information onto the Protect-O-Plate.
The embossed metal plate(s), supplied at the time of delivery of your new vehicle, should be removed from the blue Warranty Credentials Card and affixed to the inside back cover of the enclosed booklet. Please keep this booklet in the glove compartment of your car, as the booklet and plate(s) are required and must be presented to your Pontiac dealer in the event that your vehicle should ever need warranty repairs and for validation of the required maintenance services at specified intervals.
On your next visit to your selling dealer, please have him imprint his dealer plate, list the original delivery date, and have your dealer sign the inside back cover so that your booklet will be authenticated.
Thank you for your patronage, and I wish for you many happy miles of Pontiac motoring.
Model-year '67 Pontiacs shipped after approximately December 20, 1966, were issued Protect-O-plates in the standard fashion, and delivered to the dealers with new-vehicle paperwork.
1968-1969
In '68, Pontiac introduced a brand-new Protect-O-Plate design. It featured a white plastic card (approximately 31/2-inches tall by 4-inches wide) with a bright orange background, and the owner and vehicle information was embossed instead of debossed, making it easy to read. Though the reasons for the change were not documented in the historical Pontiac documents researched for this article, the new design was more attractive than its predecessor.
According to Bob Adams, "Instead of the old handwritten or typed warranty cards, Pontiac supplied the dealers with IBM cards, which they filled out and mailed back to the home plant. Pontiac embossed the necessary data onto the new plastic cards and mailed them out to the owners, with clear instructions on the card which read: 'This card serves as your warranty credential. It is essential identification for warranty service. Please keep in glove compartment.'"