I have been offering a Camaro 1968 that need a total restoration. Need your help to solve this issue: The car seems to have replaced VIN (on dash) but correct cowl tag (as far I can see). Details tells me this is a SS 350. And if I buy I will go the whole way to do a original restoration. Need to verify that engine is in etc. I also want to correct to the right VIN plate and update teh documentation so it's also correct from the factory. There have been two owners and after talking to second owner I guess the first owner (a company) changed VIN. Don't know how hard it will be to correct the VIN in all registers, but think it will be worth it if possible. Any ideas? Also what castings number and stamped letters etc is it for the original 350-engine?
VIN:
123378N416886
12337 = Chevrolet Camaro, 2-door coupé, L6-engine
8 = 1968
N = Norwood, Ohio
416886 = Production number
Cowl tag:
12437NOR116914
12437 = Chevrolet Camaro, 2-door coupé, V8
NOR = Norwood, Ohio
116914 = Body sequence number
What exactly makes you think that the VIN has been replaced? Are you basing this off of the trim tag, compared to the VIN tag? Trim tag has nothing on it that indicates what engine was in the car from the factory. The third digit of the VIN tells you what engine the car was equipped with. The trim tag indicates car was assembled on or about 3rd week of April. The VIN on the car lines up with an 04C production date.
http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#VIN
Quote from: boomer632 on May 28, 2025, 08:59:23 AM
What exactly makes you think that the VIN has been replaced? Are you basing this off of the trim tag, compared to the VIN tag? Trim tag has nothing on it that indicates what engine was in the car from the factory. The third digit of the VIN tells you what engine the car was equipped with.
http://www.camaros.org/numbers.shtml#VIN
I think Other check me, but looking at the rivets visible in the VIN picture, this view would look different with Factory GM Roset Rivets? as in the rosette head would be on the underside of the dash and a stem visable from this view shown>?
I think Other check me, but looking at the rivets visible in the VIN picture, this view would look different with Factory GM Roset Rivets? as in the rosette head would be on the underside of the dash and a stem visable from this view shown>?
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Yes.. I agree the rivet heads upside down. Scratching my head as to why one would put a 6 cylinder VIN on what might have been a V8 car. My guess is the VIN was removed then reinstalled. The corners of the dash window where VIN is seen look too square to me. Possible dash replacement. Buyer beware I guess.
Camaro 1967 is a bit different but in Camaro 1968-1969 the VIN doesn't show what interior it is. The first VIN-numbers 123 if for a L6-engine while a V8 should have 124 Like the cowl tag has.
The 4 in the cowl tag does not indicate any engine option.. unrelated to the VIN
Taken from CRG site
2337 VIN vs 12437 Cowl Tag Code
Though it looks very similar to the first five digits of the VIN, the body style code on the Fisher Body cowl tag did not have the same meaning. Fisher Body didn't need the type of engine coded on the cowl tag, and so stamped the 3rd digit of the Fisher style code with a different meaning than the 3rd digit of the VIN.
The 3rd digit of the VIN identifies which engine (L6 or V8) the car had from the factory. A VIN engine digit of 3 indicates a L6 engine, while a VIN engine digit of 4 indicates a V8 engine.
The cowl tags for 1967 Camaros were stamped with a style code of 12x37 or 12x67, where the x was set to 4 for standard interior or 6 for custom interior. All 1968-69 Camaros (L6 or V8) had a style code of 12437 or 12467 on the cowl tag - the 3rd digit of the firewall style number for these two years was fixed to 4 and effectively had no meaning.
Quote from: boomer632 on May 28, 2025, 09:26:52 AM
Taken from CRG site
2337 VIN vs 12437 Cowl Tag Code
Though it looks very similar to the first five digits of the VIN, the body style code on the Fisher Body cowl tag did not have the same meaning. Fisher Body didn't need the type of engine coded on the cowl tag, and so stamped the 3rd digit of the Fisher style code with a different meaning than the 3rd digit of the VIN.
The 3rd digit of the VIN identifies which engine (L6 or V8) the car had from the factory. A VIN engine digit of 3 indicates a L6 engine, while a VIN engine digit of 4 indicates a V8 engine.
The cowl tags for 1967 Camaros were stamped with a style code of 12x37 or 12x67, where the x was set to 4 for standard interior or 6 for custom interior. All 1968-69 Camaros (L6 or V8) had a style code of 12437 or 12467 on the cowl tag - the 3rd digit of the firewall style number for these two years was fixed to 4 and effectively had no meaning.
Thank you! That was new info for mee! I always thougt that third digit on cowl tag had same meaning as on VIN (3=L6 and 4=V8). You never got to old to learn new things!
How is best thing to identify if the car original had a V8 (350). Mean everyone can add SS and 350 on fenders, add dual exhaust, discbrakes etc but what rare things will tell?
You have to look for the clues so to speak. If your cars VIN is legit, then it's not an SS. Unfortunately without supporting docs its pretty difficult to be 100 sure.
The VIN has been off the car, but it's the correct VIN for that cowl tag.
Quote from: KurtS on May 28, 2025, 07:17:42 PM
The VIN has been off the car, but it's the correct VIN for that cowl tag.
Please explain more. How comes? 123 on then VIN is always for a L6 (and 124 for a V8). Please explain how you can say for sure this is correct VIN for that cowl tag. Or is I'm wrong?
Removed cowl vent panel today and was happy to find same digits as on the VIN. Now the question is how come this car have VIN starting with 123 instead of 124 since most details indicate this is an SS 350 car. Of course anyone can change to SS and 350 badges etc but go the whole way to also add 5 leaf springs, 12-bolt etc seems to be to much work and knowledge to do. Some way to tell on more what this car?
Have you checked:
- the casting date of the 12 bolt center section
- the production date of the axle assembly as stamped on the forward face of the passenger side axle tube?
This evidence would help to establish if the axle was in the correct date window for the 04C cowl tag date of the car.
You have 6 cylinder car.. accept it and build the car as you wish. Find the other partial VIN on the firewall if you need further evidence of the VIN tag matching VIN 2 sheet metal stampings.
Quote from: Z10Mike on May 29, 2025, 10:27:08 AM
Have you checked:
- the casting date of the 12 bolt center section
- the production date of the axle assembly as stamped on the forward face of the passenger side axle tube?
This evidence would help to establish if the axle was in the correct date window for the 04C cowl tag date of the car.
Not yet. Will do so then I get the car to my garage. Thank you for answer!
Quote from: boomer632 on May 29, 2025, 10:36:47 AM
You have 6 cylinder car.. accept it and build the car as you wish. Find the other partial VIN on the firewall if you need further evidence of the VIN tag matching VIN 2 sheet metal stampings.
Thank you for your answer! I'm open for that this absolutly can be a 6 cylinder car, but also interested how come someone have done all the work. Yes, I know buildning a SS-will give some extra money then selling. But why not just add SS and 350 badges then.
It's difficult to see the VIN dash rivets due to the water on the glass, but it was born a 6 cylinder car from everything I see.
Quote from: David K on May 29, 2025, 03:43:19 PM
It's difficult to see the VIN dash rivets due to the water on the glass, but it w as born a 6 cylinder car from everything I see.
Coming from a biased sixer fan boy.. >:(
I can see pop rivets on the top. It's a 6 cylinder VIN plate....not sure what the hidden VIN shows.