Paint Codes
#3
More specifically, it will be two numbers, not next to each other but spaced a little bit, and/or letters, and the numbers could be one or two digits. Paint codes, depending on the year, could be letters or numbers.
No VIN from that era contained color information (I don't think VINS do even now), so even if your dealer had records going back before 1990, it would have been of no help.
The best thing you could do is post a clear photo of your car's body cowl tag. These things are often misread in the translation if you just try to copy what's on it and post it. Where the characters appear on the tag can matter, too.
Here's an example of a cowl tag from a 1970 Chevy. Note the two numbers to the left of the letters "PNT" on the right side. The numbers are "48" and "6", with the 48 being the lower body color and the 6 being the upper. With a proper reference, these numbers can be decoded.
No VIN from that era contained color information (I don't think VINS do even now), so even if your dealer had records going back before 1990, it would have been of no help.
The best thing you could do is post a clear photo of your car's body cowl tag. These things are often misread in the translation if you just try to copy what's on it and post it. Where the characters appear on the tag can matter, too.
Here's an example of a cowl tag from a 1970 Chevy. Note the two numbers to the left of the letters "PNT" on the right side. The numbers are "48" and "6", with the 48 being the lower body color and the 6 being the upper. With a proper reference, these numbers can be decoded.
#4
The cowl tag is located above the brake power booster and looks like this for a 1971:
1971W30VIKINGBLUETRIMTAG.jpg
Here's how to read it:
1971W30VIKINGBLUETRIMTAG.jpg
Here's how to read it:
#5
#6
#9
Yes, I think we've now given him six ways from Sunday in terms of how to decipher the paint codes. What we need, if he's willing to provide them, are the paint codes themselves, if for no other reason that to satisfy our own curiosity.
#14
Actually, I read the original question as "can a dealership provide the original paint code from a VIN?", which is not quite the same a asking if the paint code is contained in the VIN. This is sort of like making a new key from the VIN, which is possible on newer cars.
#16
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
You have one of the more rare things - a two tone car from the factory. Most of them were same top/bottom colors, or had vinyl roofs. The trim that separates your upper lower color is the same that was used for the vinyl roof cars.
BTW, your car was built in Arlington TX, Body number 965 so I'm guessing it was built in 1970. The last 2 digits of the model show 77 so it's a Cutlass S 'Sports' aka 'Post' model.
BTW, your car was built in Arlington TX, Body number 965 so I'm guessing it was built in 1970. The last 2 digits of the model show 77 so it's a Cutlass S 'Sports' aka 'Post' model.
#18
#24
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
#25
Actually, because the tag is so difficult to read, it is even more imperative that he not try to transcribe it but rather post as clear a photo of it as possible. People so often make mistakes in trying to read and jot down what these tags say, even when their legibility is pretty good, that it's almost a given that mistakes would be made in this case.
#26
No disrespect to the OP intended, but....
Maybe if he took a horizontal picture of the horizontal tag and not a vertical pic of the horizontal tag it would help. Or maybe a vertical pic of a vertical tag (if that last one was a VIN, I can't tell).
Again, no harm intended.
Maybe if he took a horizontal picture of the horizontal tag and not a vertical pic of the horizontal tag it would help. Or maybe a vertical pic of a vertical tag (if that last one was a VIN, I can't tell).
Again, no harm intended.
#28
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
I can read part of the tag but it's a strain...Here's what it looks like to me:
ST 71 - 1971 production
3 - Oldsmobile
36 - V8 model: Cutlass S (since it's a 77 body style)
77 - body style (sports coupe, aka post coupe)
R - Arlington Fisher Body Works
BDY - 00365?
TRM - 943: Blue
Can't see a Time Build code anywhere
PNT - 26/11?: Viking blue lower, White upper. This was a two tone car from the factory
048182 - Fisher Body reference numbers.
Does this sound like your car? FYI since it's an Arlington produced car there is the possibility you may find a build sheet in the car somewhere or on top of the fuel tank.
ST 71 - 1971 production
3 - Oldsmobile
36 - V8 model: Cutlass S (since it's a 77 body style)
77 - body style (sports coupe, aka post coupe)
R - Arlington Fisher Body Works
BDY - 00365?
TRM - 943: Blue
Can't see a Time Build code anywhere
PNT - 26/11?: Viking blue lower, White upper. This was a two tone car from the factory
048182 - Fisher Body reference numbers.
Does this sound like your car? FYI since it's an Arlington produced car there is the possibility you may find a build sheet in the car somewhere or on top of the fuel tank.
#29
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