Re: VIN # and the '78

["Alan W. Presley" <awpresley@earthlink.net>]

Marty,

Here's the vin rule:

3  -  Type #
1  -  body style (fastback, 6 is squareback)
8  -  year (last digit) ('68)
      (space)
X  -  This is the digit in Question
X  -  \
X  -   \
X  -    \
    (space) These are the actual production numbers!
X  -    /
X  -   /
X  -  /


As far as the digit in question, this one was adapted after the'70
models appeared. Anybody with a '70 or later want to confirm this? Also,
anybody with a '68 (or back to '65), do you have a six or seven digits
after the 8 (not including the spaces)?

If this is true, then an 8 as the third digit AND this additional digit
MAY be a '78...

This is where I get this idea. Look up front hoods in your parts book,
this is decidedly one of THE obvious points of early/late division
(Illustraion 43, suppliment 4, for those who have parts books). 

Hood, front, to Ch. No. 319 500 000  
           (for up to '69, SIX DIGITS AFTER THE YEAR DIGIT!)

Hood, front, from Ch. No. 310 2000 001 
           (for after '70, SEVEN DIGITS AFTER THE YEAR DIGIT)

THIS is why I'm confussed. I haven't seen a '78 either, but if this vin
# is correct...

Big "perplexed" Al
awpresley@earthlink.net