I am looking at a 1969 Cutlass S convertible and have negotiated a general price with the seller; however, I would like to know if the motor and tranny are original to the body. How can I find this out and which numbers are important? Where will they be located? Thanks for the help.

 

As far as I know, you can't find this out. Oldsmobile didn't start using the VIN derivative stamp until 1971.

 

That's not true. The VIN is stamped onto the block on a machined pad just below the #1 spark plug. It will also be stamped on the transmission above the pan rail on the drivers side I think.

It should read something like 39MXXXXXX. The last 6 will match the last 6 of the car.

 

They started the VIN derivative stamping of the blocks in 1968.

 

Correct. It was a federal requirement starting in the 1968 model year as an attempt to prevent chop shops from selling stolen car parts.

 

Oh ok. I was off by 3 years.

 

If you're still looking for this info, here are the locations for the drivetrain VIN stamps:





Terry

 

Is there any VIN id on axle housing?

 

No VIN but there should be numbers stamped into the housing on the passenger side tube.

 

On my car the alternator bracket hinders any chance of seeing the number on the engine block. I wasn't about to unbolt the bracket, so it took a hydraulic lift, some brake cleaner and a mirror to discern the number (and it matched thankgoodness).

 

Good info here.

I'm going to go check mine now.

 

It will be permissible to obliterate the numbers ...