I am looking at buying a 70 chevelle and want to verify the vin numbers match. In what locations are the numbers stamped. I know the dash pad, firewall near heater. Is there anywhere else they are stamped?

Derek

I am pretty sure the firewall by heater is a "hidden vin" as mine is covered by the blower motor cover. Also there is another hidden vin inside up under the dash area on the passenger side stamped. I took photos of mine while I was doing my restoration. Its early & my wife is asleep- when she gets up I will have her post them where you can get an idea.

Also for your info- the engine block has a partial vin (production sequence) stamped on the pad in front of the passenger side cylinder head ( kind of behind and below the alternator) -if it's a Kansas built car- this sequence of #'s more that likely will be stamped upside down.

Also if its a 4 speed car- there will be the same sequence stamped on top of the transmission main case. I will try & post pictures of these later.

K

Derek, it may depend on what factory built this car in regards to locating the hidden vins. I've had many 70s apart and not all plants were stamping the hidden con vins on the firewall or underneath any section of the dash. I haven't found hidden vins on Arlington or Van Nuys bodies when stripping them down.

I'm with Mike. Cars were SUPPOSED to be stamped lots of places.... firewall, frame, engine, trans.... but I too have seen a lot of cars that did not get one or two of the locations stamped.

Here are some pictures

Derek

I can only speak what to pertains to my individual car. Its the only 1970 chevelle I have any experience with. I can tell you that mine is a Kansas built car and is a true SS. I cant tell you what was or wasn't done on the other 400,000 or so '70,s at the other assy plants, but i can tell you there was a lot of leeway that the different plants chose to do assembling these cars-- that is well documented. Most of the info you get from this site is spot on, there are lots of authoritative sources here on this site,these guys are great and there is a TON you can learn from them- I am certainly not expert on the '70 SS-I am only an expert on 1 of those 400,000 or so cars.

I'm with Mike. Cars were SUPPOSED to be stamped lots of places.... firewall, frame, engine, trans.... but I too have seen a lot of cars that did not get one or two of the locations stamped.
Mine has no vin stamping on the frame-- some folks say they have it on theirs, this would be a good example of the inconsistency.

Here's a couple for ya, My bothers Arlington built 70 did not have the VIN under the heater. A friends Arlington built 70 that was built less than 50 cars later had the VIN under the heater.
Secondly I stripped a Flint built 70 MC that had a different VIN under the heater than was on the VIN tag, and no it had not been tampered with.

If I was in doubt I would let someone who know what they were looking at check the car out. I would also say if it did not feel right I would leave it alone.

If I was in doubt I would let someone who know what they were looking at check the car out. I would also say if it did not feel right I would leave it alone.

That is great advice- and there are folks on this site that can do that for you. Its worth the $$ if you are spending the big $$- peace of mind is worth alot.

Derek,
I do not know about all the others but on mine, witch came from Cal.
There is no vin# on the frame. Here are some pictures of were I have found it, left rear by the oil filter, front pass side on pad and on the fire wall, you will not beable to see it with out removingthe blower. Good luck.
Hope these pictures get attached. Not sure how to get them on here. If not they are on my photo bucket at the bottom.

Thanks for all the help with vin number locations. I am going to go look at a Canadian built 70 Chevelle tomorrow that is supposed to be an SS.

Have any of you ever seen the vin number stamped in the LR quarter in the water channel for the trunk?


Derek

Mine has some sort of stamping there- cant remember off hand whats there--

I have the stamping on the pass side of the trunck. It is the model 136370L. Mine is a Van Nuys built car.

Canadian built 70 Chevelle.....is supposed to be an SS.

Derek

You're in luck. A car built in Oshawa will have a unique cowl tag that shows some of the options. IF it is a true SS, then it will have either Z25 for SS396, or Z15 on the cowl tag. Usually there's an "M" code too, M40 for automatic, and M20-21-22 for a 4 speed car. Other options I've seen on Oshawa cowl tags are C08 for cars with a vinyl top, C60 for Air Conditioning, and D55 for a console.... :yes:

IF the car was sold new in Canada, but imported from the US, you can still get documentation from Vintage Vehicle Services. George can look it up and tell you exactly what it came with. :thumbsup:

We agreed to buy the car today. It is a true SS and the guy had the canada documentation. It was hit in the LR quarter at some point but the guy has a brand new gm quarter and wheel house for it. The floors are all solid and just a touch of rust in the trunk and minor frame damage. There is a fist sized rust hole near the RF door pillar area but otherwise solid. We will be getting 3 sets of fenders original wheels and bucket seats (including a 2nd set) also get 2 12bolt rear ends and another frame. comes with a 396 and m21 trans. Very solid car and will be great to get done.

Keep us posted -- with pic's also

K