What parts in 1985 did GM put the VIN number on, or the SEQ number on?

The parts I know of are:

- Engine block - seq no
- Trany - seq no
- door decals (vehicle weight stickers)

I know in later years there was decals all over the place.


I know of a car that does not have a VIN tag ... perhaps theft, perhaps "rare GM test mule" :-). Just want to know where else to look to verify the original VIN.

Mark.

The chassis is or should be marked somewhere but no one seems to know where that is. I have been all over mine and cannot find it anywhere.

I recall in the "old" days, GM put the VIN number on the steering columns, but I have yet to see that.

I'd have to guess they also put it on the frame somewhere, but since we have unibodies ... not sure where it would be.

Mark.

The passenger-side top fender frame rail has the VIN sequence# stamped on it. However, you'll have to take off the fender to see it.

I have seen them behind the a/c stuff on the firewall and on the inside of the rear frame rail.... found that one due to the car being in a crash... don't even try to look for it..

If I'm not mistaken my 88 Firebird had the VIN number on stickers under the front bumper cover somewhere, and in the rear passenger fender well (near the spare tire)... don't know if 85 would have been the same tho...

Man, I've been trying to find the definitive answer on this forever! My dealer (and a few other people I've spoken to) says that 3rd gens aren't "numbers matching" like the 1st and 2nd gen cars - the most we can find out is whether a given engine/tranny combo is supposed to be in a given car. According to them, there's no way to verify that a certain drivetrain came in a 3rd gen from the factory.

I'm not deliberately hijacking the thread, but can anyone dispute what I've heard?

- 89_IROC

the vin is on the front impact bar behind the impact soft rubber stuff on a stick, or atleast it is on my iroc.

Yeah, I have VIN stickers on the front and rear bumpers, as well as all body panels (including the hood and deck lid) except for the doors...I haven't found anything on them yet.

- 89_IROC

I thought they were on the stickers on the doors? maybe im wrong, im gonna look tomorrow.

I think the Vin sticker thing started in 86 or 87. My 87 for sure has them. Not sure if 85 did.

It would be good to have a "spotters guide".

Mark.

The '85's definitely did not have the VIN stickers on them. Just the door label sticker and the RPO label in the console.

I'm pretty sure the VIN anti-theft labels started with the '87's. I say pretty sure because there will probably be someone here with a late '86 car that might chime in and say they got the VIN anti-theft stickers too.LOL!

Like the others here have mentioned, '87 and up should have the stickers under the hood, the front impact bar, the rear impact bar, pass-side door, rear decklid, inside the front fenders, pass-side quarter panel behind the spare and, at least on my '89, a rectangular label on the driver's side quarter panel (below the striker bolt) with the VIN on it as well.

-89_IROC,

You CAN verify what kind of drivetrain came with a particular 3rd gen. The engine has a VIN sequence # on it of course. The transmission has a datecode on it and supposedly a VIN seq. # as well. However, I don't think all 3rd gen transmissions had VIN sequence #'s stamped on them. The rear axle? A date-code, but no VIN #'s. The 1st and 2nd gens didn't have VIN #'s on their axles either.

The cowl tag has most of the VIN.

My transmission has no numbers on it at all, I have no idea why either. No date stamp, no VIN, nothing, just a blank patch where it SHOULD be...

John

I have a VIN sticker in the rear locking compartment if you remove the rear hatch glove box insert.

When they went to the decals on all of the panels, I have found the following:

On the front Fenders in front of the wheel wells
On the rear quarters, behind the compartment, & spare tire
On the hood, in front
On the Hatch Panel
On the metal bumper support Bar, Right front, and Left rear of car
on the doors, in the door jamb.
My Seq # matched on the engine.

Thats the ones I have found.

John

Excellent info, guys! Thanks for posting those things - all I have to do now is find the time to go check them

- 89_IROC

For some reason i keep thinking i saw my vind on the outter edge of my hood. I will have to double check when i get a chance though.

Also if you remove the panel that covers the rear hatch pull down motor you will find a VIN sticker