The 72 Chevelle was the first to have the engine size in the VIN; the 5th digit of the VIN was the key. I don't know about other makes/models, but for Chevelle's there is no way to tell what size engine came the car with one exception - that being the 66-68 SS models (138x7 VIN) designating a SS396. The horsepower rating was still a guess, but it HAD to have come from the factory with a 396. All other years (and 66-68 NON SS models) could only be decoded as a 6-cyl car or a V-8 car - no more/no less. Example, my 67 Elky came with a V-8 according to the VIN (13680) but which V8 (283 or 327) is impossible to tell from the VIN itself. The Protect-O-Plate tells me it came with a 275hp 327 and the engine numbers on the front pad match a 67 327 engine with a correct build date for the car.
So, go punch him in the nose :*)
FWIW, there are people on the list who swear that a partial VIN was stamped on the front pad as early as 1966 but I think it may have been factory specific. My 67 has a 69 396 engine in it and it does NOT have the VIN stamped on the front pad. My 67 327 Elky (built in Fremont) does not have the VIN stamped on the front pad either.
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Dan McIntosh
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 3:12 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Vin Numbers
No,
I have a buddy at work who swears there has to be some way to tell. This has
almost come to fisticuffs at times!! I would hate to think I've been saying
that there's no way to tell, and then have him find that there is a way. I
know in later years the is a call letter in the VIN that designates the CID,
but nothing for the earlier cars. Thanks for the info. Take it easy. Oh ya,
last day for my 65 on Ebay.
Dan McIntosh
64 Impala SS
65 Malibu
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2002 9:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Vin Numbers
