CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: jdv69z on September 10, 2007, 07:57:49 PM

Title: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: jdv69z on September 10, 2007, 07:57:49 PM
OK, I removed the cowl panel from my Camaro over the weekend to check out the Hidden VIN under it, and it took me 5 minutes to see it even though I was looking in the right place from the start. I finally saw it when looking at angle from the drivers side in front of the passenger wind shield washer nozzle. Even after cleaning it off, I could not make out the last digit, but all others were there and matched the windshield as expected. I was surprised to see how faint the stamping was. I suppose this is normal?

Jimmy V.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: Gramps69Z on September 10, 2007, 09:19:03 PM
I can see my hidden vin without any difficulty.  It's readable without removing the cowl panel.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: fireZ on September 10, 2007, 10:02:22 PM
I had a hard time reading mine on a 68 Z until the car was stripped down to bare steel. I have seen some deep and some very shallow digits.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: 169INDY on September 11, 2007, 04:00:29 AM
Interesting, When I removed the Cowl Panel for some detailing in the 90's I noticed that the cowl VIN was stamped and Chipped the original orange (1969 LOS pace car) paint. I think that was an indicator of an untouched cowl. A lot of times it seems the cowl tops have be restored to a point of filling in the stampings. ;D
Necessitating digging to find the impressions from the stamping.

Jim
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: JohnZ on September 11, 2007, 03:33:45 PM
Interesting, When I removed the Cowl Panel for some detailing in the 90's I noticed that the cowl VIN was stamped and Chipped the original orange (1969 LOS pace car) paint. I think that was an indicator of an untouched cowl. A lot of times it seems the cowl tops have be restored to a point of filling in the stampings. ;D
Necessitating digging to find the impressions from the stamping.

Jim

Correct - the hidden VIN numbers were stamped in the Trim Shop, after the body was painted.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: KurtS on September 12, 2007, 03:31:49 AM
John,
Weren't they stamped after the trim shop, in the body bank?

Either way, it was after paint. :)
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: JohnZ on September 12, 2007, 03:48:41 PM
John,
Weren't they stamped after the trim shop, in the body bank?

Either way, it was after paint. :)

Yup, in the Camaro plants, it was stamped in the Chevrolet body schedule bank just "up the hill" from the Fisher Trim Shop.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: Buddy on September 12, 2007, 09:30:41 PM
I have yet to ever find either of my 67 bb hidden vins. My car has been stripped of all paint etc.. and all panels removed.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: jdv69z on September 14, 2007, 01:17:14 PM
Just for added info, here's what the VIN on my car looks like.

Jimmy V.
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: zorro on September 15, 2007, 05:28:43 AM
That's cool,I didnt even see that on my car (68 RS/SS).I went out to the garage and by god there it was.Is there any other ones beside that one and the one that stamped near the heater blower fan hole?
Title: Re: Hidden VIN under cowl panel
Post by: JohnZ on September 15, 2007, 10:51:28 PM
That's cool,I didnt even see that on my car (68 RS/SS).I went out to the garage and by god there it was.Is there any other ones beside that one and the one that stamped near the heater blower fan hole?

Nope - just those two, plus the ones on the engine and transmission.