When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Agree, but missing the leading 3 is a red flag. Font also looks incorrect.
it’s not a very deep stamp on that block. I’ve seen many that trail off at one end of the other ..some are so faint they are barely legible. I can post pics of some that dont look as good as what that does.
you have enough of the VIN to say it’s correct in my opinion.
the missing or faint 3 means Oldsmobile..do you think it’s not an Olds?
Are you talking about the block when you say the font isnt correct? I’ve seen all kinds of different fonts for block stampings. Just google it, you’ll see many types
Last edited by CANADIANOLDS; Oct 31, 2024 at 07:08 PM.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The seller Flipped out on me Via Text Message because I asked too many questions. He accused me of calling him a liar and scammer just because I called him out on a few key issues I had with his story about the car. The owner's first name is Steve. I Strongly Recommend anyone looking at this car to look elsewhere as I have chosen to do. Why do people have to make it so hard for me to buy their car. I've been looking for years and every car I think is the one, the owner flakes. Buyer BEWARE - I attached a screenshot of the ad on Face Book Market Place
if every one you’ve look at the owner turned out to be a flake,,for years,, maybe it’s not the owners.
Last edited by CANADIANOLDS; Nov 1, 2024 at 01:40 PM.
if every one you’ve look at the owner turned out to be a flake,,for years,, maybe it’s not the owners.
This is what I'm thinking ... OP needs to remember that these cars are over 50 years old and very few of them are going to survive that timespan without something sketchy happening to them.
As for the vin tag rivets, Most of the cars I have seen have the rivets installed from the bottom. If you had a photo from under the dash, I bet you would see star head rivets that were factory installed.
My 68 Toronado:
68 98
My 72 Vista and 72 holiday coupe are the same way.
GM Oldsmobile Division has a leading edge "3". Therefore, the VIN must begin with the number "3". Next, follows the Series/Engine identifier followed by the body type then the model year. As Joe has already stated, a real Oldsmobile 4-4-2 must have the first three numbers 344 in sequence (Oldsmobile 4-4-2 V-8 Engine). That is definitive with no wavy gravy. "If" the vehicle was a convertible the first six sequence numbers would be 344671 - the number 67 identifies the vehicle as a convertible followed by the number "1" identifying the model year. 344671MXXXXXX would indicate the vehicle was assembled at the Oldsmobile Lansing Plant (M). The remaining six numbers (XXXXXX) is the Plant Sequential Number as the vehicle migrated down the assembly line. NOTE: This information is contained in the 1971 Product Information Manual (PIM) aka the Factory Assembly Manual (FAM) & the 1971 Chassis Service Manual. You should own at a minimum a used paperback original OEM 1971 CSM. Questions? Ask.
To validate whether the engine &/or the transmission are original to the vehicle you will need to evaluate the engine block VIN derivative &/or the transmission VIN derivative. The engine VIN derivative is stamped into the engine block pad on the front left-hand side of the engine located just forward & below the number one cylinder. Most likely directly below the alternator bracket which makes it modestly difficult to visualize, look at it from an angle (maybe a mirror). The transmission VIN derivative is located on the left hand side of the transmission just above the transmission rail. You will most likely need a mirror to visualize this VIN derivative number unless you are on a lift. The following are examples of the location and type stamping for the VIN derivative (both the engine block pad & the transmission). NOTE: Each VIN derivative must follow the sequence identified below (as an example).
VIN derivative - Engine Block Pad VIN derivative - Engine Block Pad VIN derivative - Engine Block Pad VIN derivative - Engine Block Pad VIN derivative must match VIN VIN derivative must match VIN VIN Transmission VIN derivative, Engine block VIN derivative & VIN Transmission VIN derivative
thanks for making my point that it’s called a serial number , and that’s what is stamped on the block.
no mention of derivative anywhere in the pics you posted of the GM docs..yet serial number is,, see below
they only put the serial number on the block because it’s unique to that particular vehicle.
The number they stamped on the engine was called the VIN Derivative.
the serial number is just the last six numbers of the VIN.
see the red box in the photo below.
this is from the 1972 Olds Assembly Manual.
