VIN at windshield 3K47R9M556503


Tag on firewall by wippers
79 05C 3AR47M531190
62W 19L 19U55M L
ARC9CC1
BX2 B51 D35

 

3 = Oldsmobile Division
K = Cutlass Calais model line
47 = 2dr hardtop
R = Oldsmobile-produced 350 4bbl motor (the 79 H/O was the only A-body car to get the Olds 350 motor that year, so this is proof the car is real)
9 = 1979 model year
M = Lansing, MI assembly plant
556503 = sequential build number

79 = 1979 model year
05C = built third week (C) of May (05), 1979
3 = Oldsmobile Division
AR = Cutlass Supreme/Calais series (note: while R was used for the Supreme and K for the Calais, as far as Fisher Body was concerned they were the same body. This is like the 68-69 442 cowl tags)
47 = 2dr hardtop
M = Lansing assembly plant
531190 = Fisher Body sequential build number

62W = Camel Tan Derma Grain Vinyl interior
19L = Ebony Black lower body color
19U = Ebony Black upper body color
55M = Gold paint trim
L = lacquer paint

ARC9 = This one is a little confusing. AR9 is the RPO code for reclining bucket seats. Are you sure that's an "ARC9"?
CC1 = removable roof panels

BX2 = wide lower molding
B51 = rocker panel molding
D35 = sport mirrors

 

Joe is 100% Spot on, this is a real 79 H/O, all 79 H/Os were built in Lansing, MI. (the M after the 9)

You have the R code for the 5th digit which is the Olds 350 motor, but as Joe mentioned above the motor currently in the car is a 73-76 Olds 350.

Do you still have any contact with any of the prior owners?

 

Just so we're all clear, while it is true that all H/Os were built in Lansing, that alone is not proof that the car is an H/O. The Lansing plant built several hundred thousand cars every year. The "M" plant code is necessary but not sufficient. The "R" engine code, however, is concrete proof, since the H/O was the only A-body car to get that motor in the 1979 model year. It's just like an "X" code for a 1972 W-30.

 

The R in the VIN is the key. The only A-body that got the Olds 350 (after 1977) was the Hurst/Olds in 1979 (and the 1980 442). EVERY single 1979 Hurst VIN will start with 3K47R9M.

 

79 06A 3AR47 M 614918
19W 19L 19U 55M L
AR9 BW7
BX2 B51 D35
A0055

 

79 = Model year
06A= 1st Week of June 1979 build week
3 = Oldsmobile
AR = Cutlass Supreme/Calais
47 = Notchback 2 door
M = Lansing plant assembly
614918 = Body number by Fisher
19W = Black Vinyl interior
19L = Ebony Black lower body color
19U = Ebony Black upper body color
55M = Gold paint trim
L = lacquer paint
AR9 = Reclining Bucket Seats
BW7 = Pillar Applique
BX2 = lower wide body side molding
B51 = Lower rocker body side molding
D35 = Sport mirrors R&L

Although it smells like an H/O, the VIN would determine that for sure. The gold paint RPO sorta gives it away.

A word about the R and K for body styles. The cowl tags would use AR for Supreme and Calais, because they didn't worry about such nonsense at Fisher. It was the same body. But the RPO Y78 (Calais) changed the sales model and altered the base equipment that came with the car. One thing it also altered was the VIN, changing the 3R47R9M----- to 3K47R9M---- (assuming your car is a real H/O).

 

This is the VIN of my car.

 

Bingo. The "R" in the fifth position of the VIN designates the Olds 350 engine only used in the 1979 H/O

 

​​​​So, that means my car is a real H/O?

 

What else could that statement mean?

 

Thank you so much. I appreciate the help you gave me.

 

El Chavo, you may want to consider a membership in the Hurst Olds Club of America, the 79 advisor for the club has a registry for the 79 H/Os, it would be great to also have your car on that registry.

 

I will consider it.

 

Decide mine fine Oldsmobile gentleman

3
k
47
F
9
2
4
4
9
1
0
5

 

3- Olds
K- Cutlass Calais
47- 2-door notchback coupe
F- 260 V8
9- 1979 model year
2- Build plant. Ste. Therese, Quebec.
449105- sequential build number

 

thanks
I was on some sites yesterday and thought the F stood for flint Michigan.

 

Well, if they give you any more crap about it, prove it to them with the attached GM 1979 VIN card.

 

It does if it's in the seventh position. The fifth position is the engine code.