VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)

The Vehicle Identification Number plate (VIN) has similar information to the trim tag such as the model, year, and assembly plant. One difference is the last six numbers relating to the assembly plant sequence as opposed to the trim tag's Fisher Body sequence and the series will designate a 6-cyl (odd third digit) or V8 (even third digit) on the VIN plate where the 3rd digit on the trim tag does not.

This VIN reads 138176A108948 and is for an SS396 2-door sport coupe assembled in Atlanta, GA. and is the 8,948th model sequenced at the plant for 1966.

First Digit: Division of General Motors
1 - Chevrolet

Second and Third Digit: Series Designation
33 - 300 Deluxe, Chevelle, El Camino, 6-cylinder
34 - 300 Deluxe, Chevelle, El Camino, 8-cylinder
35 - Malibu, Custom El Camino, 6-cylinder
36 - Malibu, Custom El Camino, 8-cylinder

Fourth and Fifth Digit: Body Style/Model
80 - 2-door sedan pickup

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
6 - 1966

Seventh Digit (Alpha Designation): Final Assembly Plant
B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
Z ~ Fremont, California
K ~ Kansas City, Missouri

Eighth through Thirteenth Digits: Sequential Production Number
The sequential starting number for the 1966 Chevelle was 100001 at all U.S. Chevelle assembly plants. Each assembly plant sequenced Chevelles of all series/models without regard to specific series/models. For example, if a series 13435 station wagon followed a 13667 Malibu convertible, the sequence number would be one unit higher for the wagon. It's also entirely possible to have the same sequence number from all six 1966 U.S. assembly plants with the only difference between the VINs being the plant code.

Production at the Kansas City plant exceeded 100,000 units sometime in early June so the VIN sequence from that time frame to the end of production would be 2nnnnn for the Kansas City plant.