Great to meet you all! 1972 El Camino 350 but how do I find out further??

[Shootstraight]

Originally Posted by lownotes28

Wow guys thanks for a great welcome, been checking out all your posts and suggestions, links, awesome info! Sounding more like she is not an SS as I hear of the options to look for with those regards. However the plot thickens and my curiosity rages! I have now come to know that the vin number on my registration, just registered by the way with no problems... is 4 numbers short on the end! I go to see what the dash/windshield vin number states and there isnt a vin # to be found on the car! I type the vin number in on some of the websites some of you have been suggesting and again, saying its not valid. How could the car have been registered without a valid vin#? yikes... second question is why do I not have a valid vin#? lol... back to Elky CSI investigating I'll let you know what I find! I'm loving all your El Caminos so cool to see all the varieties, customs, and restores... Elky heaven for sure!

That's certainly odd, vins are not to be tampered with but there are ways around it. In our state the DMV inspector is supposed to come and do paperwork and see why and what we did with the vin. So you have the area where the vin tag was, can you see the two holes where it was riveted to?

[dazadi85]

Welcome from MD

[lownotes28]

Hi Shoot! Nope no holes visible, kind of looks like the dash was removed at some point and not reinstalled perfectly back into place... a little missaligned. But I dont see where the vin would be attached... I'm thinking maybe when the dash was reinstalled the lip of the dash now covers the vin# plate. Either that or its just plain been removed! I wont know unless I loosen the dash I suppose, ahhh fun stuff! Thats ok I have some wiring to do anyway so I'll take a look when I do that.

[prubrew]

Hmmm...perhaps you have a Coverlay on there (thin plastic layer affixed over the original pad material)...and maybe it is covering some of the digits? Whereabout in out fine state are you (and the 72) located? I am in San Jose...as are quite a few of us...but we have 'em spread out all over. One of us can swing by and help no doubt...

Chris

[Shootstraight]

It very well could be covered, here's a couple pics that might help

[CANTED]

Welcome to NECOA, Joe. You don't have to pull the dash, just the pad. It's easy, there are screws along the bottom of the pad, two are in the glove box. Remove the screws, lift up the pad and pull back toward you. There are clips in the front that will slide out. After the pad is out you can see where the vin tag was/is. It is not uncommon for the clips to come loose from the pad and fall into the dash. I recommend adding a spot of adhesive when you put them back in place. You will probably have the pad out again as it gains access to many things. Very little info on a third gen will tell you much about it aside from when and where it was assembled, what color it was painted and what interior it had. It being a 72' the vin will have a engine designation code letter. As mentioned, if you happen to find a build sheet in the car (may or may not have one stashed somewhere) it will have codes for everything assembled on the car. Good luck with it!

[lownotes28]

Good stuff guys thanks for the tips! Thanks for the dash help Jim! I looked under the hood against the firewall, under the cowel hood, you name it... no tag or anywhere that looks like a tag was ever there. Pubrew you might have hit the nail on the head with a dash overlay of some sort, I'll have to check that out. I'm in San Jose as well, Almaden area! What are the odds... we'll have to hook up sometime!

[Shaunaconda]

Aren't older VIN #'s shorter by 4? Welcome by the way! I also have a '72.

[PFlo]

Welcome from NE Kansas. This will help you find out more about your 72.

http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs...-El-Camino.pdf

PFlo/Paul

[Sharp71]

Welcome Lownotes,
Come out to Rookies on Feb. 5th and meet the locals! https://rookieslodge.com/
We'll be discussing our upcoming events. It's very informal and quite a blast.
Hope to see you there!

[LOCKJAW]

Welcome from the left coast of Florida. This site is the place to be!