alright well we just bought a 73 malibu and I need this vin and cowl decoded. I cant fully read the vin, its just one letter I cant tell what it is but the cowl is fully readable and non questionable.

So heres the cowl

73 1AD37 0S446549
732 6060
11C
085-249

And the VIN broken up
1D37K(BorR)1436732

73 1AD37 0S446549
732 6060
11C
085-249

73 - model year 1973
1AD37 - 1 (Chevrolet), AD37 (2-dr Malibu Sport Coupe)
OS - Oshawa, ON. assembly plant
446549 - Fisher Body unit number
732 - interior trim code for Lt. Neutral vinyl
6060 - paint code for lt. copper metallic (lower/uppre)
11C - November 3rd week body assembly
085-249 - Data processing tracking numbers of no significance today.

And the VIN broken up
1D37K(BorR)1436732
1 - Chevrolet
D - Chevelle Malibu, El Camino Custom, Sprint
37 - 2dr sport coupe
K - 350-4bbl engine
BorR - should be the number "3" for 1973 model year.
1 - Oshawa, ON. assembly plant
436732 - sequence number assigned (first Chevelle was 400001)

sweet so the book (catalog of chevelle,etc ID numbers 64-87) I got for decoding is wrong for the cowl tag and I just misinterepreted the VIN, Thank you sooo much Dale thats what I needed

If you're referring to the, "standard catalog of CHEVELLE 1964-1987" book, it's so wrong it's hard to believe it got into print - especially for 64-72 Chevelles. :sad:

Its made by "car & parts Magazine"

Not familiar with that one; but I wouldn't waste money on the one I cited either.

Its made by "car & parts Magazine"
This one?
http://www.chevelles.com/images/book.gif
That is a good book, where is it wrong?

As noted, that one I don't have and I'm not aware of pros or cons. This one, however, is chock full of errors; particularly in the 64-72 arena.

http://www.chevellestuff.com/reviews/images/small_standard_catalog.jpg

This one?
http://www.chevelles.com/images/book.gif
That is a good book, where is it wrong?

For the cowl tag there is no code OS for oshawa. They have it marked down as a number 1, just like the Vin does.

For the cowl tag there is no code OS for oshawa. They have it marked down as a number 1, just like the Vin does.

OK, I see that now.
I thought those were just examples but I don't see an OS example.
First time I've heard of anyone finding an error in that book.

alright can you decode what this engine is?

Ill get the casting number when the engine comes out but this is on the front pad

C7Z112-08

Thinking its a 78 Chevy truck 454