A '68 383 on eBay...is it an original 4-speed?

[Dans 68]

Just thought I'd post the link and show a photo. The seller says it is a 318 A/C, but the VIN says 383. Pedals are in it, and the 4-speed hump. Just looking for opinions either way. I've asked him to look for the fender tag and post it. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290534339242#v4-38

Dan

[Troy]

It's got a Z-bar bracket on the frame rail too.

It has an A/C firewall. No console brackets to compare to see if they are original though.

Doesn't look like many of the parts are original to the car so they're no help.

Troy

[tan top]

looks a factory 4 speed set up 

[bull]

Interesting VIN: xp29p8b353993 Not too many P-code 68s out there.

[Dans 68]

Yep, that question was also put to the owner.   

Dan

[bull]

Doesn't sound to me like that fender tag is going to be found. The phrase "it may be in the trunk" doesn't instill a lot of confidence.

[terrible one]

Looks like factory paint and sealer on the hump as well. I'd say it's likely.

[Dans 68]

I just heard back from the seller...the vin is actually XP29F8B....  too bad. 

Dan

[bull]

So apparently it's a 318 4 speed car? How many of those did they make? Or is this going to be a one of none deal?

[Dans 68]

So apparently it's a 318 4 speed car? How many of those did they make? Or is this going to be a one of none deal?

My guess is a one of none. Just a real good job of installing the hump, or a vin swap somewhere in its life. A '68 mutt.

Dan

[kokxville]

At one of the pictures the topplate from the console is automatic 

[tan top]

Looks like factory paint and sealer on the hump as well. I'd say it's likely.

yeah looks well factory to me 

[vancamp]

could be a 318 3 spd supposed to have been 3 of those made

[Troy]

Could be a 3-speed. OR a 318 dash stuck in a 383 car. Hard to tell without the fender tag.

I wouldn't put any stock in the console when trying to determine the originality of the car. My 318 column shift auto car came with a very nice console. All those parts look "collected". Even the passenger door and trunk lid are from something else.

Troy

[Tilar]

could be a 318 3 spd supposed to have been 3 of those made

I'm pretty sure there were more than 3 of those made. I have one but I don't have the original drive train for it, so it's getting a 440... Jury is still out on which tranny it gets. Either a 4 speed or an A512.

[bull]

I guess we need a fender tag breakdown to be sure...

[Iceyone]

VIN in the picture shows it's a 318 car. I guess someone will need to check the numbers on the radiator support or trunk lip to see if anything matches.

[Troy]

VIN in the picture shows it's a 318 car. I guess someone will need to check the numbers on the radiator support or trunk lip to see if anything matches.

That's the problem - the VIN isn't the number that's stamped in those locations on a 68.

Troy

[hemi68charger]

VIN in the picture shows it's a 318 car. I guess someone will need to check the numbers on the radiator support or trunk lip to see if anything matches.

That's the problem - the VIN isn't the number that's stamped in those locations on a 68.

Troy

  Yeap.. small '68 detail............

[Vainglory, Esq.]

VIN in the picture shows it's a 318 car. I guess someone will need to check the numbers on the radiator support or trunk lip to see if anything matches.

That's the problem - the VIN isn't the number that's stamped in those locations on a 68.

Troy

Are they stamped elsewhere on the body?  Where?

[Dans 68]

VIN in the picture shows it's a 318 car. I guess someone will need to check the numbers on the radiator support or trunk lip to see if anything matches.

That's the problem - the VIN isn't the number that's stamped in those locations on a 68.

Troy

Are they stamped elsewhere on the body?  Where?

No. A partial vin would only be stamped on the engine (behind the oil pressure transducer) and on the transmission (if auto then adjacent to the engine vin, and if manual then on the tranny case pad). And depending upon the build date it may not have been stamped.

Dan