VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has similar information as the trim tag such as the model, year, and assembly plant. The differences are 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).

A typical 1968 El Camino VIN might read: 136808Z161444 being a V8 Malibu Custom El Camino assembled in Fremont, CA. and is the 61,444th Chevelle sequenced at the plant for 1968.

First Digit: Division of General Motors
1 - Chevrolet

Second and Third Digit: Series Designation
33 - El Camino, 6-cylinder
34 - El Camino, 8-cylinder
35 - Custom El Camino, 6-cylinder
*36 - Custom El Camino, 8-cylinder
38 - SS 396  8-cylinder

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

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
8 - 1968

Seventh Digit (Alpha or Numeric 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 1968 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 five 1968 U.S. assembly plants with the only difference between the VINs being the plant code.

Production exceeded 100,000 units for the Baltimore plant sometime in May, and the Kansas City plant sometime in April so the VIN sequence for those respective time frames to the end of production would be 2nnnnn for each plant.