Vin no. engine code doesn't match

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lgruenie

New Member

Aug 12, 2009

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Aug 20, 2009

#1

• Aug 20, 2009

• #1

My 1966 fastback has matching numbers on the inner fender and on the door, with the exception of the engine code. The fender shows a "C" code where the door shows a "A" code with all other numbers matching. Sure could use any help interpreting or diagnosing what the car actually is. I have heard that the componets could have come from seperate plants and would be a factory mistake. Could someone help. Thank you.

 

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68RCodeConv

New Member

Oct 2, 2003

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Houston, TX

Aug 20, 2009

#2

• Aug 20, 2009

• #2

Two possibilities:

(1) Somebody had a new door tag made and changed the VIN on that tag.

(2) Factory mis-stamped the door tag. Or the inner fender. Title matches the inner fender so you had better go with that.

As for mixed components - the factory either put in an A-code motor or a C-code motor.

 

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D.Hearne

New Member

Sep 29, 2000

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south louisiana

Aug 21, 2009

#3

• Aug 21, 2009

• #3

Someone replaced the door with one from another car.

 

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RedGTvert

Founding Member

Nov 21, 1999

3,129

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Wellington, FL

Aug 22, 2009

#4

• Aug 22, 2009

• #4

D.Hearne said:

Someone replaced the door with one from another car.

Click to expand...

Then it would not have the consecutive numbers being the same. Most likely at some point a new vin plate was made for the door and was mis-stamped.

 

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2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Aug 23, 2009

#5

• Aug 23, 2009

• #5

lgruenie said:

My 1966 fastback has matching numbers on the inner fender and on the door, with the exception of the engine code. The fender shows a "C" code where the door shows a "A" code with all other numbers matching. Sure could use any help interpreting or diagnosing what the car actually is. I have heard that the componets could have come from seperate plants and would be a factory mistake. Could someone help. Thank you.

Click to expand...

The number is fairly important. Mistakes in stamping, at the factory, turn up surprisingly often. Either the fender apron is right, which would be good 'cause you're stuck with it, or the door is. What's the VIN on the title?

 

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v8only

Active Member

Jul 3, 2003

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Aug 23, 2009

#6

• Aug 23, 2009

• #6

the one on the fender rails is the right one....the door, since it's replaceable cannot be used for any official identification

 

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2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Aug 23, 2009

#7

• Aug 23, 2009

• #7

v8only said:

the one on the fender rails is the right one....the door, since it's replaceable cannot be used for any official identification

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You mean the legal one. They were stamped by UAW workers, not brought down from Mt Sinai by Moses. I have seen some pretty odd VIN stamps, including things that were not possible, like a 64 fastback. (even the earliest Mustangs were stamped as 65 models, and the first 4 months the fastback wasn't even available)

 

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v8only

Active Member

Jul 3, 2003

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Aug 23, 2009

#8

• Aug 23, 2009

• #8

I completely agree with you.. However when push comes to shove, unless he can really document and prove he's got a real a code car, the majority of people will tend to side with what's stamped on the frame....

I know if I were looking for another classic, the only markings that I'd go off of to ID a car personally would be those permanently attached to the car....and many people will be like that too.

He could have a real a code car, but IMO if the frame is stamped a c code, then you've legally got a c code car, as that IS Your vin, and that IS what your car is titled too. THe car isn't legally titleable to anything other than stamped vin #'s on the dash plate, or the frame.

 

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2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Aug 23, 2009

#9

• Aug 23, 2009

• #9

He's pretty well stuck with whatever is stamped on the apron, as I said. If he has original documentation showing something else, he might be OK claiming that, but it'll definitely be a problem.

The problem here is that if the car is not a factory GT, the only difference between a C code and an A code was the engine itself, there was no frame, chassis, etc., difference to prove the status between the two. If it is a factory GT, these were not available with a C code engine in 66, so he'd have a much stronger case for the apron VIN being in error.

 

jamimac

New Member

Aug 15, 2009

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Florida

Aug 23, 2009

#10

• Aug 23, 2009

• #10

They were stamped by UAW workers, not brought down from Mt Sinai by Moses.

Click to expand...

lol

 

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lgruenie

New Member

Aug 12, 2009

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Aug 26, 2009

#11

• Aug 26, 2009

• #11

Hey, you guys are great! I appreciate the comments and advice regarding the vin. I think that the only mistake could have been if someone had a new tag made for the door and had it stamped with a "A" engine code (either a mistake or more likely than not intentional). The door tag does, however look as dated as the rest of the car. Since all the numbers match, it is either a newer stamp on the door, or it is actually an "A" code engine and got stamped by those assembly line workers. Either way, I dont think I can check the engine block of a 66 289 (from what I understand, they didnt record or use block stamps yet) or see if someone knows of a registry that would be able to identify the production number and its options (kinda doubtful). But guys, I really do appreciate the help.

 

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runawayabc123

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Mar 9, 2007

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Wisconsin

Aug 27, 2009

#12

• Aug 27, 2009

• #12

Well, lets rule out the easy things... is the engine even an A code engine? Is it a 4brl intake? If you are willing, pull one of the heads and see if the pistons are flat top pistons.