Sample Decodings of Classic Car Serial Numbers

To help you with decoding classic car serial numbers, those numbers prior to the modern VIN system, we wanted to feature some sample decoding.

Before the VIN system was established and standardized the coding of vehicles was left open to each automaker. Below are some examples of car serial numbers with an explanation of what they tell you.

1967 and 1968 Ford Mustangs

You’ll see a number that may read  8R01A113289.

8 –  The car’s year 1968

R- Where the vehicle was manufactured San Jose California

01- The car’s body style, in this case a coupe

A- The Mustang’s engine type, in this case a 289 4 valve

113289- This is the cars production number. This example means that the car was the 113,289th that was produced.

1969 Ford Mustang

Serial number may look like 9R01H162450

9- 1969 model year

R- San Jose California Assembly Plant

01- Coupe

H- 351 cubic inch Windsor engine

162450- This was the 162,450th such vehicle rolling down the San Jose California assembly line.

1940 Chevrolet Passenger Cars

On these models look for an engine number stamped behind the distributor. The series of numbers ran from 2697268 to 3665902.

There is also an aluminum plate on the right side of the dashboard under the cowl. This sequence should start with either KA, KB or KH. KA meant Special Deluxe, KB meant Master Six and KH meant Master Deluxe.

1948 Chevrolet

Engine number located on crankcase behind the distributor. The serial number will look like FA-1001 to FA-825234

The car’s serial number may look like 5 FK-A-2723

5- The car was built in Kansas City Missouri

F- Model year

K- Fleetline and Fleetmaster

A- Calendar month built was January.

2733-  Started at 1001 up and indicates the car number of this type vehicle off this plants assembly line.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

Look for a serial number that may read 123679N423711

1- Chevrolet

2- Camaro

3- L six engine

67- Convertible

9- 1969 model year

N- Norwood Ohio assembly plant

423711- This is the individual car’s  serial number place on at the assembly plant

1955 Cadillac

The car’s engine number is found on the bell housing portion of the crankcase behind the left hand cylinder block. The number will be at least nine digits. Sample engine number will look like 7V 00001

This designates a Series 62 Eldorado engine

1965 Chrysler (All Models)

Serial number may read W153189475

W- Dodge Coronet Eight

1- Coronet Deluxe

5- 1965 model year

3- Jefferson Michigan Assembly Plant

189475- The car’s manufacturing sequence number assigned at assembly plant. This was the 189,475th such car manufactured.

1962 Chevrolet Corvette

A serial number may read 20867S100350

2- Model year 1962

08- Corvette model

67- Two door convertible

S- St. Louis Missouri Assembly Plant

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