1968 El Camino Vehicle Identification Number Plate

 

 

1968 VIN Breakdown

Do not confuse the Vehicle Identification Number plate information with that found on the Fisher Body Number plate (trim tag). The series depiction on the VIN  plate does NOT have the meaning as the Fisher Body Number plate.

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.

A typical 1968 Elk Camino VIN might read: 138808Z155276 being an SS396 El Camino assembled in Fremont, CA. and is the 55,276th 1968 model year Chevelle sequenced at the Fremont, CA. assembly plant.

Beginning in 1968 the VIN plate was moved from the driver side body A-pillar to the forward part of the dash so the VIN plate could easily been seen through the windshield of the car. The VIN plate was riveted a special bracket with unique 'rosette' rivets.

See VIN plate examples here

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 - SS396 El Camino 8-cylinder

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

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
8 - 1968

Seventh Character (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 1968 El Camino 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.

VIN plate location

Riveted to the underside of the dash the VIN plate was located on the front, top portion of the dash so it could be visible by looking through the windshield.

Concealed (Hidden) Partial VIN Location

It's not certain that all U.S. plants stamped a partial VIN behind the heater box like this Baltimore example. Anyone with partial VIN stamps from other plants in 1968 are encouraged to write and send photo if possible.