Hoping someone can help - trying to locate the vin on a 67 396 - I don't see it where the 70 block date is - can someone give me an idea where to look.

Thks

Rich

Right above the oil pan rail... I think on the right side (near the starter???)...

Thks Tony we found it, it is H 11 5 - Assuming April 11 1965 - problem is this is a April built 1967 with supposedly the orig motor - would this date code be correct?

Thks

Rich

H115 equals August 11, 1965. That's too early for a 1967 406 block. Do you have a 961 or 962 block? That would be a 1966 block, and definitely would not be original to an April 1967 car.

Bruce,

Casting number is 3855961 - so the block is corrct?


Thks

Rich

3855961 is a 1966 (also used in 1965) 2-bolt block; it would not have been originally installed in a April 67 Chevelle SS.

Thks - I guess he has the wrong block in the car -sad part is it was re stamped with the vin for the 67 and sold as matching numbers.

Rich

Sorry to hear that. It would be interesting to see a picture of the stamp, so members could critique it. Could be a learning experience for more than the unfortunate owner.

I'll see if I can get it, I was on the phone with him going over the details, here is the link to the car - this is where he purchased it from - The car does seem to check out as an orig SS - Vin is correct and the rear is the orig 12 bolt, the trans we couldn't quite tell as none of the numbers he gave me seemed to be correct.

http://www.mershons.com/view_photo.asp?ID=5431&image=Exterior

He paid 36,000.00 for it - I suggested he go back to the seller and confront them - perhaps get addl off.

Rich

I'd definitely be contacting the seller, and if they don't budge, then I'd be going for a lawyer... And contacting whatever local/state agency responsible for car dealers (thats IF the dealer won't work with you friend). Don't fall for the "as-is" or the old "thats what the last owner told me", as I don't think negligence is a viable defense...

I'd definitely be printing out that add so he has proof that the seller said "matching numbers engine"...

Would your friend still want to keep the car if it doesn't have the original engine (at a lower price, of course)?... Is everything else okay to him?

It will be very hard to determine the value difference between a true matching numbers and a incorrect replacement motor, maybe 10%-20%, especially since it might have only been a 325 HP car to begin with (any documentation on the car)? I'd also be skeptical of the original equipment (is the cowl tag a repro?)...

And since its OBVIOUSLY a fake (incorrect block, not even close), I'd go for at least the 20% off ($29K sounds like it might be fair).

First I'm not an attorney. This is from my own unfortunate experience. Over $25,000 fraud might be taken by the FBI and will probably be over the fraud limit taken by the state. Unfortunately they all have limits they take for fraud and they are unbelievely high. There is so much fraud, if this is the case here BTW, going on they only have so much resources to deal with it. However, if the seller has done dishonest things before they will be more likely to take the case. Some of these people that do these things knowingly fraudulent are on probation or release as well.

This buyer could be the victim of a first degree felony such as theft by deception. You should talk to the local authorities where the sale was made to see what their state laws are IMO.

It could be an honest mistake as well so I'd try to work it out with the seller first. You'll find out in a hurry if he's honest or not. Sorry for the buyer. Been there but my fraudulent seller is in jail now. The local authorities can tell you indirectly if they have personal experience with this seller and you can run a background check as well.

Good luck.

Hmmm...asking $49,900 and they took $36,000?

Your lead-in was a bit confusing asking for the date code then you ask for the VIN location. :confused: Is the VIN stamped on the engine block next to the engine ID code? Alternator bracket looks incorrect (?) Firewall is painted body color and shouldn't be.

Anyway, looking at the car and the verbiage in the ad it does state, "...396/350 with Matching Numbers,..." and "matching numbers" means different things to different people. Check all the threads here on TC. If the buyer got it in writing the engine was original and had the correct engine suffix code (EF for a 396/350 4-spd. or EJ for the same with A.I.R. which it doesn't have) then the buyer might have a case. If it's only 'implied' as the ad says (again the meaning of 'matching numbers' comes into play) and the engine ID code has been restamped on an August 1965 block and IF IT HAS A BOGUS VIN stamp, that's illegal as well as fraud IMHO.

Also, depending on the where the car was built (Atlanta, Framingham, or KC) there'd be codes on the body plate for original trans type, buckets or not, console or not, A/C or not, power top or not, rear antenna or not, deluxe seat belts, etc. since the ad states, "...original equipment and color combination very rare..." is paint code R1 for red with white top?

Lastly, and maybe it's just the lighting, but is the dash strip wood grain or black pebble finished?

A very pretty car indeed and it's got all the desireable equipment. Now it's up to your buddy if he's happy with the car as is or did he pay specifically for the premium of a numbers matching car?

Just got an update - seems the dealer is refunding him fully plus shipping and picking the car up.

Rich

Good news in one respect. Maybe we're doing some good in the sea of bogus and outright fradulent advertising! graemlins/hurray.gif

It still appears to be a nice car and would probably bring high 20s to low 30s anyway based on its own merits.