The VIN plates on my two '65's are attached to the car such that the top of the plate is oriented toward the interior of the car (which seems upside down). In the Chevy shop manuals the reference photos provided show the VIN plate oriented the other way around with the top facing toward the outside of the car. I honestly can't recall how they have been oriented on other cars I've looked at. Were they attached both ways? I only have two examples at hand and they are both the same way.

I'd think the proper position would be from top to bottom facing towards the outside of the car. That way it could be easily read by just opening the door.

The VIN plate on my 65 faces towards the outside of the car (as Dale describes).

The VIN plates on my two '65's are attached to the car such that the top of the plate is oriented toward the interior of the car (which seems upside down). In the Chevy shop manuals the reference photos provided show the VIN plate oriented the other way around with the top facing toward the outside of the car. I honestly can't recall how they have been oriented on other cars I've looked at. Were they attached both ways? I only have two examples at hand and they are both the same way.
IMO "A picture is worth a 1000 words".
Here are 2 links to my 65 VIN plates (both are the same):
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/Malibu%20SS/VINorientConv.jpg
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/Malibu%20SS/VINorient4spd.jpg
Frank

Looks like they were installed both ways. All four of the cars between Frank and myself have them "upside down" yet Mike has a car with it the other way. I'd swear that other cars I've owned and inspected had them "right side up" like on Mike's car.

Just goes to show you the assembly line guys weren't always consistant.

Here's another thought on this topic. Given that Chevrolet documents show the VIN plate oriented with the top facing outward so it is easy to read from inside the car with the door open, it also makes sense that many others were installed the other way around. Think about it, the VIN plate was attached before the doors were installed (I'm assuming) so the assembly line worker is approaching the car from the outside. From a logical stand point he might install the plate in such a way that it looks right side up to HIM at the time. For what it's worth, my coupe was built in Kansas City and my wagon was built in Baltimore (how about your coupes Frank and Mike?).

Also, if the plates were attached with a machine I suppose some of the plates could have been loaded into the machine upside down. Bottom line, I don't think the factory was too particular about the orientation of these plates.

One last observation: I'm also working on a '64 GTO. I've recently looked at a LOT of '64 GTO VIN plates and ALL of the plates I've looked at, including those on the GTO I have, are installed with the top of the plate facing the inside of the car (like Frank and my Chevelles). These GTO VIN plates are spot welded on not rivited on.

On my sedan, it is attached with the top toward the interior of the car just as yours and Frank's. My car was built in Kansas City.

On my sedan, it is attached with the top toward the interior of the car just as yours and Frank's. My car was built in Kansas City.

Nice looking 2-door sedan there Shawn. Don't see those every day. Is it a 300 or a 300 Deluxe?

Nice looking 2-door sedan there Shawn. Don't see those every day. Is it a 300 or a 300 Deluxe?

Thanks Rich. It's a 300 Deluxe.

I like the color too.... :D

Are you doing a restoration or a hot rod project?

Like Frank said, a picture is.... My VIN tag is oriented just like Frank's. The "Chevrolet", top of tag (?), is towards the interior, making it easier to read the tag from outside the car. I haven't seen one mounted opposite. My car is from Fremont, CA.

A related question: Should the tag be body color or without paint? Frank's pix show both.

I like the color too.... :D

Are you doing a restoration or a hot rod project?

It's a "hot rod project". The color is Porche Carmona red. It was originally a six cyl three on the tree car, but is going back together with a 496 big block, 700r4, and 9" rear. It will have a mostly stock look with a fawn bench seat interior. I'd still like to find a nice set of bottle cap hub caps, but I've got a lot of re-assembly to do first before I make the final decision on my wheel choice.

A related question: Should the tag be body color or without paint? Frank's pix show both.

Mine is unpainted.

Shawn, nice choice of colors .. red/fawn.

Shawn, nice choice of colors .. red/fawn.

Thanks Mike. I don't know why they call it "Carmona red", it is actually a maroon color. It took me forever to decide on the exterior color, I think I was about to drive my wife crazy! The fawn is the original color interior that the car came with. I think it kind of fits with the "sleeper" look that I'm going for. :)

Maroon and fawn is a great combo.

The VIN plates should be unpainted. They were originally attached after the body was painted. I think Frank's light blue car has been repainted and the VIN plate probably got painted over at that point. Maybe Frank can pipe in and clarify.

For what it's worth, my coupe was built in Kansas City and my wagon was built in Baltimore (how about your coupes Frank and Mike?).
SS Gold coupe built in Kansas City
SS Blue conv. built in Baltimore

A related question: Should the tag be body color or without paint? Frank's pix show both.
Without. I'm in the process of removing the overspray.

I think Frank's light blue car has been repainted and the VIN plate probably got painted over at that point. Maybe Frank can pipe in and clarify.
:yes:

Frank

OK, no paint on the VIN plate. That's what I thought. Just had my car painted and the VIN plate wasn't masked. So I've got a little paint removal to do.

Not to steal the thread, but another somewhat related question: Was the trim tag originally painted? I've seen them bare, all black, and black background/clear lettering.

Was the trim tag originally painted? I've seen them bare, all black, and black background/clear lettering.
Not to be abrubt but they came all black. ;)
Frank

Thanks for the quick reply, Frank.

'65 Elky, top of tag to interior... KC car.

Not to steal the thread, but another somewhat related question: Was the trim tag originally painted? I've seen them bare, all black, and black background/clear lettering.

Just to be clear, the cowl tags were painted when the firewall and undercarriage were painted so technically the only thing that should be found behind the cowl tag is primer. They were painted black when the firewall was painted.

Just to be clear, the cowl tags were painted when the firewall and undercarriage were painted so technically the only thing that should be found behind the cowl tag is primer. They were painted black when the firewall was painted.
Thanx for the information. I never took one off so I didnt know that. So, am I to believe you have removed a trim tag before? :thumbsup:
Frank

Well, they are only riveted at the bottom so you can bend them back at the top without damaged. But, yes, I've removed those before (not VIN plates though!). In fact, on my coupe I removed it before it went to the body shop so it wouldn't get damaged and then reattached it after things had been painted so my car is technically incorrect in this one detail in that there is paint behind the cowl tag on my car.