vin stampings

[472 R/T SE]

So if the VIN on the block isn't the complete VIN but rather starts at (say in 69) the Engine id how can you be sure that there are not 2 engines with the same #s?

I.e. the stamping is Engine/Year/Plant/Sequence

So are we guaranteed that in a given year that 2 different cars from the same plant didn't get the same sequence number?  Since plants made more than one model were they given different ranges for sequence number?

I've often wondered about that.  The only difference would be the plant designation letter.

[69CoronetRT]

So are we guaranteed that in a given year that 2 different cars from the same plant didn't get the same sequence number? Yes.


Since plants made more than one model were they given different ranges for sequence number?No. All models from one plant fell under one numbering system. Therefore there can be only one 9AXXXXXX, one 9GXXXXXX, etc

[bakerhillpins]

Since plants made more than one model were they given different ranges for sequence number?No. All models from one plant fell under one numbering system. Therefore there can be only one 9AXXXXXX, one 9GXXXXXX, etc

Sorry, I am still confused.     So you are saying that 2 different models produced from the same plant had different sequence ranges.

[maxwellwedge]

9A100001

9G100001

9H100001

All different when you factor the plant code letter in.

[John_Kunkel]

Some are thinking that each model got it's own numbering sequence but at a plant that built both Dodge and Plymouth B-bodies 9G101555 could be a Belvedere and right behind it could be a Coronet 9G101556.

[69CoronetRT]

Sorry, I am still confused.     So you are saying that 2 different models produced from the same plant had different sequence ranges.

No. One range for each plant.

(with the exception of Hamtramck build 64 and 65 Valiants and Darts but I wanted to give the most typical secenario).

[472 R/T SE]

Not that it mattered, but there was no way to keep this from happening correct.

UOG234567

UOB234567

UOE234567

[69CoronetRT]

Not that it mattered, but there was no way to keep this from happening correct.

UOG234567

UOB234567

UOE234567

weelll....not that particular example because LA VINs didn't go that high but yes, it was possible. It would be incredibly coincidental but theoretically possible that two of the same models from different plants could end in the same last six digits.

[bakerhillpins]

Some are thinking that each model got it's own numbering sequence but at a plant that built both Dodge and Plymouth B-bodies 9G101555 could be a Belvedere and right behind it could be a Coronet 9G101556.

Thanks! that cleared it up.     For some reason I always thought that to be the case -> that production of a specific vehicle would be sequential when you looked at the sequence #s. Not that different makes and models were intermixed.

So there is no way to tell production #s through basic subtraction of first to last. 

[69CoronetRT]

So there is no way to tell production #s through basic subtraction of first to last. 

Correct.

And just to be clear, the VIN sequence number does not mean the cars went down the line sequentially.

Assigning a VIN is an administrative function not a production function.

VINs were assigned to a block of cars before they went down the line. The actual order of production didn't matter. In fact they were mixed up by make and model to keep parts in stock. Car number 100 could have been built before car number 1.

[bakerhillpins]

VINs were assigned to a block of cars before they went down the line. The actual order of production didn't matter. In fact they were mixed up by make and model to keep parts in stock. Car number 100 could have been built before car number 1.

Its the first part where I was thinking they had a set production # and just created a (singular) sequential block for the model. Learn something new every day. 

The second part where they mixed them up based upon parts in stock makes sense from a production point of view.