Partial VIN Derivative Locations

In addition to partial VINs stamped on frame rails there are other places on the engine, transmission, and firewall that may have partial VINs stamped. These locations will vary depending on the year, engine, and plant. This page shows these various locations by year, where applicable, and where photographic proof can be presented. If you have photographic evidence of partial VINs from any year please let me know and I'll include the information here.

It should be noted that engines were not always stamped. Prior to January 1, 1968 there was no federal guidelines to do so and Chevrolet plants generally only stamped high performance small block V8s like the L79 and, typically, all big block V8s. Beginning January 1, 1968 there were suggestions from the federal government that identifying identification (such as a partial VIN) be used but, from research, only Georgia had a state law that engines and transmissions shipped TO that state have this done. It's not certain when all of Chevrolet (or GM) began stamping partial VINs on all engines and transmissions.

1964

Fremont Muncie 4-speed partial VIN.

1965

Looking for examples...

1966

A good example of a partial VIN stamped on the engine pad of a 1966 SS396 engine.

1967

Here are two examples of partial VINs on a 1967 Atlanta built Chevelle. Top photo is the cowl area next to the wiper arm and lower photo is under the blower motor area on the firewall. It is believed that Atlanta was the only plant in 1967 to do this as no other plants building 1967 Chevelles have turned up with partial VINs stamped here.

A good example of a partial VIN stamped on the engine pad of a 1967 SS396 engine built at Atlanta, GA.

1968

This 1968 Baltimore SS396 has the partial VIN stamped in two locations on the firewall; one under the heater core box and one under the blower motor area.

1968 Kansas City Chevelle

Partial VIN stamping on a 1968 Baltimore Powerglide.

Partial VIN stamping on a 1968 Kansas City Muncie.

Partial VIN stamping on a 1968 Atlanta Muncie.

Partial VIN stamping on a Kansas City 396 engine.

1969

This Atlanta 1969 Malibu has a partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall.

This Baltimore 1969 Malibu has a partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall.

These Kansas City 1969 Malibus have a partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall.

 

Several examples of partial VIN stamped for Atlanta on the roughcast area by the oil filter.

This Fremont engine block has a leading '0' in the partial VIN.

1970

Arlington engine pad

Arlington M22 transmission

Kansas City Muncie transmission

This 1970 Kansas City Malibu has the partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall.

This 1970 Kansas City Malibu has the partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall. This happens to be a Malibu series El Camino

More 1970 firewalls, these from Los Angeles.

Frame stamp for 1970 Baltimore. 

1971

This 1971 Baltimore Malibu has the partial VIN stamped under the heater core box on the firewall.

1972

This 1972 Kansas City Malibu has the partial VIN stamped on the firewall under the heater core box.

This 1972 Van Nuys El Camino has the partial VIN stamped on the firewall under the heater core box.

Frame Concealed VIN (CON VIN) Locations

Typical CON VIN (a.k.a. partial VIN and VIN derivative) located on the driver side rear on top of the rail and very difficult to read except with a mirror. Generally, the manufacturer's ID and date code are on the outside of the rail and is visible. Remember the CON VIN will consist of the division (depending on the year), the model year, the final assembly plant and the six digits of the sequence number. For example, a typical CON VIN might read 19K345678 for a Chevrolet (1), 1969 (9), Kansas City assembly plant, and vehicle sequence 345678. 

Other locations for the CON VIN stamping on frames reported are ...
It's been reported that partial VIN stampings on 1970 Chevelle frames from KC are few and far between.
(1) driver side below door on top of frame on both 1964 and 1965 Chevelles; 1969 Fremont El Camino; 1966 Fremont El Camino (as well as 'typical' location). One 1964 Van Nuys owner reports the entire VIN (45837Lxxxxxx was found here).
(2) passenger side front inside of frame rail on 1970 El Camino.
(3) passenger side rear frame rail, both top and outside - 1970 Atlanta & 1970 Baltimore.

As more and/or different locations are reported, I'll update the photos and information.

Partial VIN (or CON VIN - concealed VIN) vs. the manufacturer's ID and date code locations.