[cleanimages]

Hello- I just purchased a 1967 ss. The VIN # is 138177b197214 My insurance company called today and said the VIN # is not valid. Any opinions by looking at it? I tried going to the INFO pages here to decode it, but was having some trouble. Any help possible? I purchased the car after looking for months for a Dodge Charger. As soon as I saw this car, fell in love. I know it doesent have an original motor, but rest seems original. As a new member, and very uninformed Chevelle owner, any help is appreciated.

 

[bc69ss]

I'd say your insurance company's computer is rejecting the vin b/c it's not 17 characters long as all "newer" cars are.
Thats my guess...

 

[BigFred66]

Do you have documents from previous owner(s)? NY registration or title from another state ?
Does the DMV have a problem with it?
Are you sure it's not a "typo"?Does the VIN tag on the car match whats on your papers?

 

[c1run1]

did you ask why ? call back the insurance co and ask why . they might just say something like there's not enough numbers ect like the other post from BC69 mentioned .

 

[elcamino]

I recall back in the late circa 1990 my agents office staff had a problem with the VIN on my 1964 Impala. Same thing, they said there were missing numbers. I had to take the title in and have the photocopy it. They were just keying it the VIN into the Insurance Co computer system and it was being rejected. System was not set up to handle these VIN's. Now days, people don't know what to do without the computer. Same thing with the Carfax reports, they are not set up for the older car vins's.

Bet thats what you are dealing with. Go down there with your title and show them, you are likely dealing with people who were not even born in 1967, heck maybe their parents were not even yet. Nothing existed before computers.

 

[DaleM]

Hello- I just purchased a 1967 ss. The VIN # is 138177b197214 My insurance company called today and said the VIN # is not valid. Any opinions by looking at it? I tried going to the INFO pages here to decode it, but was having some trouble. Any help possible?

1 - GM Division Identification: Chevrolet division
38 - Series Identification: 38 - when the model is 17 or 67, SS396 (V8 only)
17 - Model identification: 2-DOOR SPORT COUPE, 5-PASSENGER
7 - Model year: 1967
B - Final assembly plant: Baltimore, Maryland
197214: sequential production number beginning with number 100001 for the 1st Chevelle from the respective assembly plant; this being the 97,214th Chevelle from Baltimore for the 1967 model year.

Obviously your insurance company isn't familiar with older models and 13 alphanumeric VINs. Might be kind of scarry getting not only correct converage but problem when/if a claim is ever filed.

 

[136679ss]

17 - Model identification: 2-DOOR SPORT COUPE, 5-PASSENGER
.

I'm willing to bet I can fit a great deal more than 5 passengers in there Dale. :thumbsup:

 

[DaleM]

If you have seat belts for all of 'em :thumbsup: Even back-in-the-day, seat belts for 4 was the norm.

 

[136679ss]

If you have seat belts for all of 'em :thumbsup: Even back-in-the-day, seat belts for 4 was the norm.

I was referring to the trunk. :noway:

 

[DaleM]

Ah, the old drive-in movie days

 

[cleanimages]

thanks for all the help. I called back again and they are waiting to hear back from the main branch. I got the insurance at State Farm. 2x they said it was invalid though. The previous owner had the car registered, with a title in NJ. i live in NY, registered it at DMV no problem. They take his title, mail me a new one. Will let you know!

Gotta ask...As for the VIN #, doesent the VIn number say what type of trans is in it? color of exterior/interior? That stuff? If not, how do i find out how the car originally came with out a build sheet?

 

[huffhuff]

my 66 is thru state farm and no questions asked about the VIN. i had to furnish a couple of dozen pictures though.

 

[DaleM]

I've had State Farm for years with no problems with either of my 67s, probably just an agent issue.

The VIN won't tell you anything other than what I decoded for you. The Fisher Body plate (a.k.a., trim tag, cowl tag, etc.) will tell you what interior/exterior colors and some plants (Atlanta, Framingham & Kansas City ONLY) had 'group' codes that do indicate other options like transmission, console, a/c, etc. - not all options but some of those that meant body or interior changes from the norm.

Post a photo of the tag or the layout and someone will help you; me if I'm around. Oops, just reread your first thread and see it's a Baltimore car. Baltimore did not have these codes on the body plate so there's no way to tell from that what options might have been ordered. - Sorry. :noway: An indication of transmission might be the instrument panel if it was a column shift; PRNDL would indicate Powerglide, PRNDL2L1 would indicate TH400, nothing could indicate a manual trans or a console mounted auto trans. Might also check the top of the frame on the driver's side under the hood and look for a bracket for the clutch Z-bar that would indicate a manual trans. I know my 4-speed SS had one (naturally) but my automatic 67 El Camino does not.

 

[32551]

speaking of drive in movies dale. did you ever let your gal set on the console. :yes: