Why wouldn't car makers put the year on the back

Look on a Corvette and see if you can find ANY badge that says “Chevrolet” :grin:

Point well made, mustangman. Even the earliest Corvettes didn’t have the Chevrolet name… or even a “bow tie”!

The early ones did-

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-emblem-front-sunburst-1973-1974.html

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=CJT2sfgn&id=D883A1696F9202AE219106ED79A18AF1B189B4AF&q=early+corvette+images&simid=608013430249164178&selectedIndex=124&ajaxhist=0

Later on, they had the chevy bowtie in the flag emblem…

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-bumper-emblem-front-1997-2002-and-2004.html

You’re right. I was looking for something much more prominent.