i want to know where and when my car was "born". i have a 1989 camaro RS.

 

Van Nuys, CA, and your vin won't give a date.

 

ok, sounds reasonable. there was a guy at the ontario camaro nationals he knew the exact date his car was built, however it was a 4th gen. how do i get the same information regarding my third gen? also how do i tell if my 305 is in fact an original engine for my car. i know my car has 156K on it, but i always assumed it was on its second engine. it still has a 305, but the block has yellow witting on the block like a junk yard would do. how can i tell?

 

Look on the right(passenger)side of the deck just in front of the head.If the block hasn't been decked(or the numbers/letters ground off)you'll find a series of numbers and letters that will give the engine code,build plant/date and the sequential part of the VIN.If it's the original motor to your car those numbers should match.
On the '82-'83(possibly '84)the radiator trim tag had the build date in month and week.I know they used the trim tag in later 3rd gen but I'm not sure if this info was still on them.
As Amorget stated Van Nuys was the given for build plant(VIN eleventh digit L)for your '89 since '87 was the last year for Norwood F-bodies.