I just boght a restored 70 Chevelle SS convert and am trying to get the car registered in CA. Even though the car was registered in another state, the DMV is demanding I produce a secondary VIN before they will register it.

Beside the VIN on the dash, I have been told the 2nd VIN is behind the AC unit on the engine compartment side of the frame. Is this true? The problem with this is the fender is going to have to come off to get the AC unit out (right?).

Before I start tearing my car apart, I want to make 100% sure that's where the 2nd VIN is.

Also, does anyone know of another solution to this issue. I really can't believe CA is going to put me through this BS to get the car registered. it is a complete (and expensive and time consuming) joke!

I believe on mine it was on the frame on the driver side back behind the tire. But it was on a 66 so it may be different I don't know but its worth a shot.

There are 3 that I know of on my '70. 1, of course, is the the vin tag on the dash. The 2nd one I have is on the drivers side door on the GM sticker near the latch (if it's still there), and the 3rd is on the frame rail behind the drivers side rear tire (as Marina66ss said). When I registered my Chevelle for a non-highway title, the highway patrolman came over and had to verify both VIN locations.

The second VIN is stamped in the firewall under the heater plenum.

sorry for the blurry picture, I do have a better one here somewhere

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Dean/tempdc_70vin10.jpg

Seems kind of odd that they would want *you* to provide them with another VIN. You could tell them anything! I suspect that they (like Arizona) have DMV personnel that are experts in verifying these numbers. I have had to do this with out-of-state cars, but the DMV does the inspection with their own people. And they did not let me watch. Can you ask if they have inspectors for this task?

So Dean, is that location on the firewall indeed behind the AC unit (which my SS has)? Isn't that where the heater plenum is (right side of the engine compartment against on the firewall)?

And Jwagner. Yes, you don't just give them the #, you have to go to the highway patrol to have the vin verified by an officer, who then gives ou a slip to take back to the DMV. That is the problem. They no nothing about these cars.

Yes, however mine doesn't have A/C but it's in the same place.

circled in picture
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Dean/70pic9.jpg

dean what i could see your car is going to look nise when its done

Holy Crap Batman!!!!! I smoothed my '66 Firewall, welded up all the holes and seams, then put a light coat of filler over everything, primed it and painted it the final Midnight Blue color.....what VIN # you talking about Willis????? Damn, Crap and I have to register this sucker in California as well.

Maybe 2 out of 3 will be OK LOL ha ha ha

If your car has the original engine or trans, they could just get the second VIN from there, no need to dismantle the car that way.

They gotta be kidding unless they suspect the car is stolen - are you sure it is not ?

Otherwise no way I would tear the car apart just to register it.

Talk to a supervisor at the MVA

Try a different MVA office.

I wonder if there's something goofy here with different plants or something. I looked last night, and there is no vin stamped on my firewall where Dean's is. Any ideas?

My 69' Baltimore built Chevelle wagon has the VIN on the firewall just like in Dean's photo. My Canadian built 69' Malibu does not have it. Hope the original engine is still in your car.....then it would be a piece of cake.

I used to tell people the VIN was stamped on the top of the frame rail just behind the left rear tire because that's where I found it on an Atlanta built 70 that I parted out.

Since I now have the body off my Baltimore 70 I haven't found the VIN on the frame anywhere (yet)

:confused:

The serial number on a 70 is in 3 places. Two of which are under the heater box. The other is on the right rear top of the frame rail. That is simply the serial number or production sequence, not the complete VIN. You can also get the VIN off the cowl tag, it is there in it's entirety however broken up into segments. I am curious to know why they are asking for this if you have a title for it. Seems kind of odd and pointless.

Dean,
Both my 69's have the number on the frame rail as you describe. Also below the blower motor on the fire wall. One is A/C the other not. I also took apart a 69 442 that had them in these locations. One Chevelle is a Baltimore car the other is a Kansas car. Don't remember about the 442.

Trooper