Ok, first question on this bit and its a curly one. If anyone can help it'd be much appreciated.

I have heard of people using the chassis or engine number to find the original specs of the car (ie paint colour, convertible, where it was made etc.) and wondering if anyone has done this and how to do it.

i know my car colour scheme isn't typical of the cutlass and am curious to find out how it came originally. i'm unable to contact the previous owner.

 

Depends on what year car you're talking about, where it was made, etc.
If all you are interested in is what the original color of the car was, that info is coded and on the firewall data plate. Post the info here, and well decode it for you. What year Cutlass?

 

thanks kurt, am checking this at work so will have a look when i'm home. its a 71.

 

That plate will be above the brake booster and horizontally rivetted to the cowl just forward of the left windshield wiper which normally would be the drivers side but in your case your vehicle is upside down!!

 

Would this be it?

3287 1Z118490

Had to turn my car upside down and do a headstand but think i found it :P

 

Is that from *under* the hood? That's only part of it if it is. Can you get a pic?

 

It should be on the drivers side of the firewall near the top. Around the brake booster/master cylinder area.

 

Craig, it is a '71. It will be on top of the cowl. Looks more like this.

 

ahhh good catch

 

thanks folks- am running late for work but i know the one now, i'll post it up when i get home

 

just had a look
is as follows
ST 71-53287 Z 02017 BDY
TR 900 13 B PNT
04B 221B16 190271

Much appreciated if someone can make something out of this, ie original paint and where the car came from. If you can explain it as you go it'd be much appreciated for info for a new kid on the block

 

Sterling Silver Poly, black trim/stripe

Built in Fremont CA, 2nd week of April 1971

 

thanks kurt

for my info- from the chart you put up i got the 13 for the ssp and b for the black trim.

where is the location and date info?

 

The Z in the VIN and on the body tag is the Fremont code, and the 04B is the date code.

 

have looked around online and found a couple handy references;

http://www.oldsmobility.com/vin.htm

http://www.vehicle-history.com/vin_l...e_1965-71.html

The one thing that is doing my head in, the series number on the VIN (2nd and 3rd digits). mine is 28, on all these references it seems it doesn't exist.

Does anyone else have a good reference that has this on it? Thanks

 

??
Your VIN should be 332871Z........... right?
32 is your 2nd and 3rd.

 

you're right mate.

the first 3 was separate and tucked in the left corner

3 3287 1Z118490.