fishwater

I am "trying" to locate the original vin for my 1979. It has had a state issued vin b/c it was stolen when it was newer. My state has charged me $20.00 to do the research but can't promise that it will find the info. I am considering selling it & buying a bumper car or restoring this one. The car is black but doesn't look to be original. Has an L82 (checked the numbers) & a four speed. The tach is a correct L82 but the speedo looks aftermarket. Probably replaced when first stolen? The car was never hit & still has the original ball joints (big fat rivets) I am on the fence & starting to obsess about the VIN. I am told they are stamped on the frame but no clue where & will I be able to see it easy? I can see the tank sticker on top of the tank but can't read it. Eventually if I go further I will drop the tank & hope it isn't faded.

johns73

you will find the vin stamped on the driver side frame rail right across from the top of the tire it will be hard to see. It's rignt on top between the body and frame.

Twin_Turbo

it's on the top of the frame rail, drivers side directly behind the rear wheel, it's a pita to see though.

fishwater

Of course the way my luck has been the frame is undercoated & I can not see a thing. Are the numbers between the two bolts that hold the brake line down? How big are they approximatly & are they written across the frame as you look in the wheel well?

I am using a mirror to follow the top of the frame rail, I can clearly see the rail from the front of the tire to the body mount. So far no numbers, I imagine the undercoating is in the way?

Twin_Turbo

the numbers are on top of the frame, there's no brake line back there, if there's any line it's an evap line

fishwater

It sure looks like a steel brake line to me?

NHvette

... should be stamped into the steel. Also, there might be a set
just forward of the drivers side #3 body mount (which is
impossible to see without lifting the body). Some lacquer thinner
and Qtips might clean the top of the frame rail enough to make
them out. I have also read about using an inspection mirror to
see them better ... good luck.

On the frame kickup - next to the top of the rear tire - is the fuel
vapor line. Follow it back and up to the top of the tank. Rear brake
lines are at/along the lower differential (called rear) crossmember.

Twin_Turbo

It's a steel line, it runs from the tank to the evap canister on the drivers side frame rail under the brake booster

fishwater

looks like I will have to try some thinner on the frame & hope I can see something. How big is the vin? One inch long? Three inches long?

NHvette

Honestly, I don't ever recall looking for mine when restoring the frame.
I will try to look at the remains of my 75, but with all the rust
it had, don't expect much.