Can anyone think of a legitimate reason why a 68 Cutlass convertible which should have a VIN of 336678 would have a VIN of 335578?

 

Nope. Strictly a typo. There is no 3557 model.
Post a pic of the VIN. Mistakes do happen.

 

Might the dash been replaced at one time?
Can you find the VIN on the door jamb sticker or anywhere else?

 

Rob, that wouldn't explain it, as the number he has doesn't even exist. As I said, there is no 3557 model.

 

You're absolutely right. Using the tables that tell what each sequential number stands for you can come up with a 3557 but Olds never made a 3557. I checked the model listing in my parts manual and there is no such model. Can't post a pic cuz it's not mine. Was told this was the VIN by the owner and even asked him to clarify it. He must be reading it wrong or something. Anyhow, thanks for the info.

 

Oh, so that is somebody's word. That simply explains why it is wrong.

 

I always assumed that the tags were punched on an assembly where the actual serial number clicked over sequentially after each pressing while the body style info stayed constant. That would mean then that there would be a whole lot of 335578's out there. Did they actually punch/press each VIN tag individually? Sounds a little time consuming.

 

The 57 body style was not used on the A-body cars until the 1970 model year. 57 was used to designate the notchback Supreme Holiday Coupe.

 

This is what I was referring to. Did they produce the VIN plates one by one? If they ran them off sequentially (as I imagine they did), wouldn't there be a lot of mistakes and not just the one on sklbndt's car.

 

Very important detail here. This wasn't the number on a data plate/VIN plate or car. This was just somebody' *word* as to what the number is. Whole different story.

 

oh. My mistake.