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VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 1:50 am
by DeanP
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this Forum, but I have read some of the posts before finally joining and this seems like a cool group of people.

I've always had a soft spot for those '71 Runners/GTX. As a matter of fact, I already have one in mind. I'll have to fly out to the Midwest to see it. It's a '71 GTX with supposedly a date correct 440. I'm ok with a NOM. It has the fender tag and the seller says it also has the build sheet. From the pictures I've seen so far, the last 6 digits of the VIN tag (on the dash) matches the bottom right 6 digits on the fender tag. But, could you please tell me if there is anywhere else on the car's sheet metal / body that would have the VIN (or portion of the VIN), so I would feel comfortable that it was not a re-body?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:23 am
by steved
IIRC, 5 of the last 6 are on the upper radiator support. if you're looking at the car from the front, it's on the driver's side upper. I don't know if a panel covers it or not as my GTX was taken apart when I found it.

also look at the door tag on the driver's door.

steve

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:42 am
by 71440 gtx
the numbers on driver side of cowl on a la car in rs23 e car

is on a plate on top the cowl on rest of them :beer:

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:50 am
by bruce
Yes, the numbers are also stamped into the cowl on the driver's side...

So, it's:
cowl
core support
fender tag
door tag
VIN on dash

Numbers on trans and engine block if original drive train is still there (in this case you say it's not).

Good luck and post some pics if you get it!

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:56 am
by DeanP
Hi again,
Thanks for the great info!! This might be a dumb question... but, where is the cowl?

Thanks again.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:07 am
by bruce
Bottom of the windshield, under the rear of the hood. The door hinges mount to the SIDES of the cowl and the top of the cowl has those plastic screens on it to keep out leaves and debris. You'll find the numbers stamped to the left of the driver's side plastic screen (to the left when you're sitting in the car).

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:18 am
by 72RDRNR
Depending on where it is someone here might be able to take a look at it for you. Check the numbers, get more pictures, and give an unbiased opinion on the condition. Might save you a trip.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:17 pm
by Eric
I've seen some cars (LA built) that did not have the stamp on the cowl.....just FYI.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:33 pm
by bruce
Eric wrote:I've seen some cars (LA built) that did not have the stamp on the cowl.....just FYI.

Wow, wasn't aware of that. Bet it's a St. Louis or Windsor car though... :D

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:40 pm
by NOrrTH
I thought the rad support stamp was in front of the radiator and that you need to remove the rad to see it?

Also the body code "RS23" is stamped under the weather stripping near the rear window under the trunk.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:43 pm
by TX9GTXN96
My '71 GTX is a St.Louis car and I can't find the cowl stamping anywhere! Most of my Mopars have been E-bodies, so I am well aware of that location being used for the body #. Since the radiator support # is in place and the car has never been hit or restored, the fellow stamping the car back in '71 must have forgotten to strike the cowl # :rant: I'll have to see if it was a Monday or friday car :D

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:44 pm
by TX9GTXN96
NOrrTH wrote:I thought the rad support stamp was in front of the radiator and that you need to remove the rad to see it?

Also the body code "RS23" is stamped under the weather stripping near the rear window under the trunk.

It is, however, you typically can see the stamping as the # is stamped high enough to make it out.

Do you have a pic of the RS23 stamping? I have never heard of that before.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:24 pm
by DeanP
Thanks to everyone, the responses have all been very helpful!!

The one I had my eye on was this one...
http://www.kcclassicauto.com/1971_Plymo ... 99-Lg.html

What do you guys think?

As a side note, I already have a '68 Charger R/T (numbers matching) that I plan on selling (which I never thought I would sell), but over the past year, I've really grown to like these '71 Runners A LOT.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:19 pm
by RS23-71
Looks like a nice car but there are a few things I can spot that are a bit off with it... not enough to make me doubt its a GTX though.

Re: VIN stamp question

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:51 pm
by 71440 gtx
TX9GTXN96 wrote:My '71 GTX is a St.Louis car and I can't find the cowl stamping anywhere! Most of my Mopars have been E-bodies, so I am well aware of that location being used for the body #. Since the radiator support # is in place and the car has never been hit or restored, the fellow stamping the car back in '71 must have forgotten to strike the cowl # :rant: I'll have to see if it was a Monday or friday car :D
mmm, on top of the cowl there's a plate that's attached to the cowl and there's a rubber strip with clips, why don't you look underneath it, :lol:
They are not on the cowl like an e-body or an L.A car.