Can anyone tell me where the hidden vin number is to compare to the one on the dash?

Mine's on the top of the cowel just right of center. Have to remove the wiper arms and panel to access. I actually have 2 vin's stamped.. one that matches the dash vin, the other for the car made in the production line just before. One number off. An assembly line mistake where they forgot to change sequince #'s before stamping.

Thanks Doug!

What years are we talking about? Where is it on a 69?

On the 69 there are two,one is on top of the cowl and the second one is behind the heater fan motor.Hope that helps.

I was wondering about the 68..

Same locations all 3 years.

This is vin# on my 67 firebird

Thanks everyone for your help. Still learning- Nice bird 67firebirdnorway!

I think that's the lowest production number I've ever seen. That car must've been made in the first month of 67 production.

Have a look at these tags...

VIN TAG


Body Tag

hummmm....4th built in Los california...BUT what is it from?

The under cowl # and the vin # on my 69 are different by 10 digits like 9L###280 under the cowl and 9L###290 on the vin plate and title? Any reason for this?

this is the lowest '69 I've found.

#146003 is mid year, end of May/early June. 100101 is first month (1A). I know of one earlier (12C).

Re: Post by 67FirebirdNorway

I know this is a really old thread but I think I am about to purchase my first Firebird since selling my '81 back in the day. I'm driving long distance to look at two gen 1 machines. The pictures in this post are helpful but I need to know where these VIN's are located relative the entire car. In other words if I could zoom out on these pictures until I could see where on the cowl the VIN is located, etc. that would be perfect.

The only vin/tags that are accessible are those inside the door frame on the 67 Firebird, upper dash inside the windshield drivers side 68-69, cowl tag on firewall on all 3 years. The other stampings will require the heater box and cowl panel to be removed.

You do not need to remove the cowl panel to see the hidden cowl partial VIN.

Look through the slots below the right side wiper arm, between the cowl openings and the firewall. Use a flashlight if necessary to highlight them.

The other is under the blower motor, which is under the right fender. Not likely you will see this one unless the front clip is off.

Vikki, have you ever had any problems reading the code without removing the cowl? Just curious, I have only accessed the codes once the car has been stripped for restoration. My only first generation purchases resulting in finding out who all previous owners were. Based on that information I felt comfortable enough with the honesty of the seller, but that was only in my dealings.

I have never had to remove the cowl to read the code, with the exception of one car for sale that had the numbers filled intentionally to mask non-matching VIN.

My car is in pieces at the moment. However, I will check Wovenweb's car since his is fully restored now.

Vikki, what was the seller trying to pass off to you when you found that the numbers had been filled in?

Thanks for the information

A '67 400 car that started life as a 6 cyl car. VIN tag on the jamb and the cowl tag matched each other and the PHS, but the cowl VIN did not.

When filled, you can view these with the cowl grille off using a mirror and flashlight from below the cowl.

The engine date codes were later than the build date too, which even if the tags were right would have overruled the "numbers matching" claim.

I didn't even think about checking from the underside since the metal will reflect the stamping from above.

I am sure the seller wanted to crawl under a rock and hide after you pointed out the inconsistency. Never thought it would be found.

For some reason he didn't want to give me any more info, just kept referring me back to the PHS docs that matched the VIN.

I once had someone try to sell me a '68 with a "numbers matching" 455

Wow, one of a kind 68 455 car. LOL

Apparently, they have no idea about the information that is documented about these cars. Plus, they don't realize that you are a guru of these cars.

I rather enjoy hearing the sales pitch. There seem to be a few different approaches to someone trying to sell me on their car:

1. This is a very cool car, you will enjoy cruising in it, and do you plan to bring your boyfriend/husband by to take a look at it?

2. This car has the rarest of the rare options, it's 100% original, everything is just like new, it's really worth twice as much as I am asking, and I am only selling it because of (insert personal crisis here).

3. <unspoken>I am not going to even try to explain anything to you because you're female and wouldn't understand anyhow.

If I am interested in the car after 2 minutes of looking, I will engage the seller in intelligent dialog to save them the embarassment of trying to figure out what to say. If I've gotten to that point, if they know anything about Firebirds they know that I know what I am looking for and at.

I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to deal with idiots who think that a female doesn't know anything about cars. I have some good insight about the first generation Firebird, but still have much to learn. I am willing to bet you have forgotten more about the cars than I may ever know. There are a handful of individuals that have been members since the site was first up and running. During that period of time I restored a 68 coupe and was fortunate enough to have insight such as yours to help complete that project. I disappeared for a few years after completing it and later selling it. However, I have recently returned and have been fortunate enough to utilize the resources on this site to help complete my current project.

I extend my gratitude to you and the many other dedicated Firebird fans on this site.

Thanks for the help

Vikki, you disappointed me. I was hoping to here some "My Cousin Vinny" stories when you put some idiot in their place. You are no fun at all:-)

Vikki is saving those stories for a book - she can't give away all of her stories for free.

Nah, I actually don't have the patience for storytellers, if the car doesn't sell itself on its merits, I won't be buying. The harder the pitch, the less I listen.

Makes sense, the car should be able to attract enough attention by itself. How is your current project progressing?

I finished the car for my dad and it came out nice (took best of show at Cannonbird Run and first place overall in its first open show). Old Yellowbird is going to stay as is for a couple of years and I am going to try to enjoy just getting out and driving for a while. I've been on project cars year round for the past seven years. Time to rest.

I don't blame you - enjoy. I will be lucky to have mine completed in 7 years, just taking longer than I had hoped.

had to walk away from one I wanted, it was a convertible but the VIN cane back as a coupe

I found a hidden vin number today that I've not seen listed. Hummmm....where you think it is?

Hey Harold, stop teasing us and just fess up man....lol

Oh come on, no one even going to try? Hint: it is under the car.

Under the chrome tailpipe?

Bottom of the oil filter!

Bottom of the dipstick!

(hey, this is getting fun)

Under package tray?

Opps. I'm sorry guys. I saw this number right above the rear pinion rubber bumper last night. I thought it was my partial vin when I first glanced at it. But to day I took a sec look and a photo. It was not a partial vin but a weird number.

Sorry to get everyone's hopes up.

OMG!!!!! LOL

GRRREAT posts!
5 years later.... what was the answer Harold?

Also, Vikki: You mentioned the date code on the engine being later than the car build date. I'd like to check mine. Is it a Julian code I'm looking for? Here's a couple numbers I found I cant ID. Thinking I'm on to something?

Sorry Harold..I guess I wasn't at the end of the string!

We haven't seen Vikki around these parts in several years now.

Looks like C148 or March 14, 1968 to me.

How'd you find that, wovenweb?

sorry about Vikki...she sounded fun!

I didn't know about the hidden VINs, but got my flashlight and looked through the cowl by the RH wiper and and there it was.

Just about 10 years ago, when I started here, Vikki and Earlybird set me straight on my non-BOP rear axle assy, she's a walking encyclopedia on the Firebird.

I looking at the numbers under the plug in post #322727.

Wovenweb
I meant how'd you covert C148 to the date?

c= march
14 day
8 year

You can read this article and it will help you understand it.

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2017/11/27/identify-pontiac-engine-blocks