Joffroi

Hi all,

I know there are some pretty good Oldsmobile VIN decoders out there already, but I've been slowly in the works of developing my own for my site and I wanted to know what you guys thought. As of now, I only support VINs made from 1965 - 1972, but I plan on coding up information for all the other years (assuming I can find resources for that).

http://www.oldsmobilecentral.com/vin-decoder.php

As of now, if the VIN is correct it will output division, year, model, body style, plant built, serial number, and production numbers (I think only for years 65-69 so far).

I have many more features I want to develop with this when time permits, but definitely wanted to open the board for any suggestions or feature request you members might have.

P.S. It is in "beta" stages so if you see any issues or incorrect information come out, please let me know.

Thanks

ddd777

data out of that decoder on my car (72 cutlass) was 2BBL, Dual Exhaust

it is actually 4BBL and i highly doubt it came with dual exhaust (and is there really something in the VIN that would indicate that ?)

having a cowl tag decoder cheat sheets right there would also be good info for folks starting their search.

Joffroi

I'm looking at my code and one resource, and for 72 you could tell the engine, carb, and exhaust size from the 5th digit. If it was a "K" it was a 350, 2bbl, dual exhaust. Does that match the VIN you inputted.

I found different information about VINs that occasionally said different things, so if you feel this is a for sure error (or if the engine specs couldn't actually be determined by the 5th digit for 72 olds) let me know.

Having a cowl tag decoder was also something I was going to look into.

joe_padavano

1972 was the first model year that had the engine code letter in the VIN, and yes, in some cases the engine code was different for single vs. dual exhaust.

Fun71

It shows mine as a Convertible Coupe, which are two different styles.

From wikipedia:

A coupé or coupe (from the French past participle coupé, of the infinitive couper, to cut) is a closed car body style (permanently attached fixed roof).

A convertible is a type of automobile of various automobile body styles that can convert from open-air mode to a provisional enclosed (roofed) mode.

Joffroi

Fixed!

ddd777

Yes it is a "K" car

Dual Exhaust System was optional equipment "N10" for 1972.

For cowl decoder you could do a pull-down of the years and data found in the attached cards (believe they were from wildaboutcars.com).

It would be a lot of gruntwork getting the data into database tables (spreadsheet) but i bet you could crowdsource the data entry here on this forum by having folks input into a templated document for each year. i would do one for you...

Joffroi

@ddd777 I fixed the "K" value to show 4BBL and went ahead and took of the exhaust values since that seems to be optional.

dfire25

Its said my car was plan black. My car is Matador Red right now but I don't know the original color. Is this accurate? is there a way to find out my original color?

Joffroi

You can't find colors form the VIN (only cowl tag)... are you should it wasn't "plain back hardtop"?

ddd777

That information would be on the cowl tag.

Look here:

http://enthusiast.yearone.com/vehicl...-tag-decoding/

and more info on your specific car here:
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs...2_Info_Kit.pdf

stevengerard

Nice

it says mine is 1of 1

jaunty75

I'm sorry, but I just plugged in my VIN:

358677M349273

and your site said it is a '74 Chevy Vega with a 2-cylinder engine and three wheels built in Paris, France!






Just kidding.

It worked fine.

Joffroi

That's it! Moving it back to alpha stage!

Octania

I entered 344678M100001

it said '68 442 *2dr* convertible [aren't they all 2drs?]

Production #5142 I assume means the total number of such things made.

I was surprised that the VIN #1 got no other mention... like, "wow, you have the FIRST ONE EVER MADE!"

Also, the VIN entered does not appear on the results page, that would be nice to see.

jaunty75

About the 2-door convertible thing, my decode said the same thing, but I don't think this is a flaw. I've never seen a decoder that doesn't say "2-door convertible" when it's a convertible.

About the VIN number not appearing on the results page, that's not true. It is there, right above the decoded information, in white letters on a red background. I will admit that it is actually not obvious as I had to look for a second or two myself before I found it.

dfire25

Au yeah... It did say "plain BACK hardtop". Not black lol Damn my Chicago Public School system education!

I do not have a cowl tag so I don't know the original color.

Joffroi

I gave VIN #1 a little more attention . And yes, the VIN is displayed on the results page in the header. I'll look into making it more clear.

ROCKET VAPOR

Joffroi, your VIN decoder decoded my VIN correctly!

MHENDERSON

Cowl tag 1970 Cutlass Supreme Convertible. 3 were all in a Barn in Barharbor Maine for 21 years!There was a 72SX and a 71 Cutlass that hit a tree.I have been working on my 70 Convertible tring to get it on the road!Can anyone help me with the cowl tag. ST 70-342C7 E2015 2 BDY PNT 997 041 KA4007 A THANKS FOR HELP.

ddd777

here is some of it:
ST 70 = model year
3 = Division (oldsmobile)
42 = Series Cutlass Supreme V8 (1968-71)
67 (not c7) body code = Convertible
E2015 ?
2 ?
997 = trim of car - Parchment White vinyl seats
PNT 041
KA4007

seems like there are a bunch of people from maine here in this forum. we should have an Oldsmobile meet-up at some point....