I'm new here and am looking to buy a '68 El Camino. I have a particular vehicle in mind and would appreciate some advice on how to go about establishing what the various component numbers should be - based on a given VIN.
The vehicle is not local to me and is in the hands of a dealer, therefore I must try to establish as much as possible at arms length so I can make an on-the-spot assessment and purchase if all is well.
I have looked at the webpage: Option De-coding list (De-coding "Build Sheets") here and do not know if the original "Build Sheet" will be in this vehicle where it's supposed to be or not. Other than soliciting the Cowl tag (just where exactly is this to be found on a '68 El C?) info from the dealer (I'd rather not ask them to look for the "Build Sheet" just yet), what all should I expect to be able to establish at this juncture?.

If the El Camino is a high dollar ride, then my advice would be to find a person knowledgable about them in that area and pay them to examine the car and give you a report. Otherwise, I doubt a dealer would go through the trouble of ripping up the interior to look for a build sheet that may or may not be there.

Good luck and keep up posted.
Mike

Anything up to 72, the VIN will only give you the model, year, assembly plant and sequence number of build for that plant, that year and if the engine was a L6 or V8. The body number plate (trim tag/cowl tag/whatever - located on the top of the firewall, drivers side) will give you the model, interior trim, exterior paint and (approx) assembly date. Check my ChevelleStuff site for some examples of 68 El Camino (http://www.chevellestuff.com/68elky/68_elky_trim_tags.htm) body plates.

Anything else and you're at the mercy of the seller. One unique thing about the 68 Elky is it's the only year El Camino that will let you know if it's a standard model (133/13480), Custom model (135/13680) or a SS (13880). The exception is the '72 model if it has a "W" in the VIN indicating a 454 engine; the 454 REQUIRED the SS option, other engines did not.

Chances of finding the build sheet are pretty slim it seems on pre 69 Chevelles.

Thanks for the input guys ...
the VIN I'm researching is 136808Z101568, so, I take it I'm looking at a 'Custom' model.
Say Dale ... which characters tell me assembly plant, and, would the sixth digit mean a V8?
BTW - I think I should make a point of not asking the dealer to look for the build sheet until I am actually present ... I would hate to see that item go missing (if it has survived 'til now) just through indifference.
Thanks again for the help.

136808Z101568

1 - Chevrolet Division of GM
36 - El Camino Custom V8
80 - 2 dr pickup
8 - 1968
Z - Final Assembly plant is Fremont, CA
101568 - production serial number which started at 100001 and went up. THis would be the 1,568 Chevelle A-Body model order built at Fremont for 1968. That would include all cars in the Chevelle lineup which includes the El Camino, Convertibles, Sedans, station Wagons etc.

So, this would not be a SS or big block truck. If it is being represented as such, then its a clone. There is not way to know what the original engine was unless you find out its still in the ELC.

Thanks Mike ... truck is being presented as a "Malibu 327 CI 275 H.P." - what were the V8 engine possibilities at Fremont, CA in 1968 (presumably by 'not a big block' you meant not a 396 CI?) and does 'Custom' jive with 'Malibu'?

"presumably by 'not a big block' you meant not a 396 CI?"

I think you have interpreted Mike's idea correctly.

The 275 hp 327 was definitely a factory optional engine in the 68 El Camino. Sounds like they are being up front about their representation.

Everyone here has been extremely helpful - I do thank you all. My next step will be to interview the owner over the phone (dealer is supposed to provide ph #), and then, examine the vehicle closely for myself to see if I can pick up on any modifications - otherwise I take it there really is no definitive way to verify component numbers as originals or not. Q. - How would car show officials judge originality of this truck in light of the predicament of no factory records available?

OK ... I guess I can answer my own question to a certain degree ... I've viewed truck now and was able to verify last five digits of VIN on engine block as well as correct engine code suffix ...
Q. - should I expect to be able to find the production sequence (last five digits of VIN) on the transmission and axle along with the respective production codes for those components?

should I expect to be able to find the production sequence (last five digits of VIN) on the transmission and axle along with
the respective production codes for those components? I think you should be able to find the partial VIN on the transmission, but the rearaxle doesn't have the VIN, just the date and description codes...

BTW, the engine and trans should have the last "8" digits of the VIN, not just 5...

Thanks Tony, I now feel reasonably well equipped to pass judgement on my target truck ... and ... thanks for pointing out 8 vs. 5 digits of VIN - I was unable to make out the beginning of the stamping to the engine block pad and was just very happy to be able to make out the last five digits of VIN and an engine code of VO8I7EE ...
both VIN and suffix correct for my truck. Was going to risk not doing tranny and axle identification prior to offer to purchase - now may no longer be interested in this particular truck ... too many flaws in trim peices, non-stock modifications and a really bad paint job - big mess. Anyhow, thanks again ... my education here will not go to waste.
BTW - On the driver's rocker-panel (door-opening surface), I found an upside down stamping ('Z3#1#80') that is so crapped up with paint that I can't be sure of any of the digits save the Z, 3 & 1 - what is the significance of this stamping and what should it match?

I think Tony means the last 8 alphanumeric characters of the VIN (year, plant, sequence number), the plant code is a letter. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

The 327/275 was an option in 1968. Suffix codes would be EA for manual trans, EC or EE for Powerglide, and EO for manual trans w/H.D. clutch.

The body number plate (99% of the time) and the VIN, 100% of the time, will indicate by the 3rd digit if the car was a 6-cyl or V8; any odd number was a 6-cyl, any even number was a V8.

Dale ... by body number plate, do you mean the cowl tag? If so, I am wondering how to decode the top row of characters, immediately below 'BODY BY FISHER':
09A (Sept., 1st wk.) 000389 110584 2
interestingly, that very last '2' appears to have been struck after the plate was punch-printed, is a little larger, a different font and somewhat fainter but does not appear to have been done by hand.
Also, I need help with the 'TR' (Trim) line where it says 765 (Black Imitation Leather/Bench) B90 - what does the 'B90' signify?

#'s after the date code are not decodable.
B90 is an RPO (Regular Production Order) code and it = Molding - Side Window Reveal