Anyone can help with the VIN of this 53 Special I just acquired would be most appreciated. The title reads 70xxx214 (the x's are numbers I left out intentionally), and there's a tag on the driver's door post that is screwed on, which reads 170xxx05. Neither of these seems correct, or am I looking in the right place even? I had the Sheriff's deputy come out and inspect the car, and he was confused somewhat as well. I'll try to find the VIN on the frame, which is apparently there somewhere. Thanks in advance.
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| '60 | '61 | '62 | '63 | '64 | '65 | '66 | '67 | '68 | '69 | |
| '70 | '71 | '72 | '73 | '74 | '75 | '76 | '77 | '78 | '79 | |
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Trying to figure out the VIN of this 53 Buick Special I just picked up
- Thread starter Trax 53
- Start date
The tag on the driver's door post is the VIN, and it is properly held on with two Philips screws. I know on the '51, '52 the number is stamped on the frame, but the only time I have ever spotted it was when the body was off. The one on the front near the brake master cylinder. The other is on the rear passenger side on the flat under the trunk. They are both on the top of the frame rail. This means the one on the rear is sandwiched between the frame and the body.
Those numbers look about right for your car. Buick reached car serial number and straight eight engine number seven million in '53. The car and engine numbers did not match on Buicks in that era. The engine number (less the suffix digit for car series) was typically a few thousand higher than the car serial number (less the prefix digit indicating assembly plant).
The car serial number on the door post should match the number stamped on the frame if you can find it. It may take some cleaning and a very thin mirror to see the frame number if the body is in the way. The 1 prefix digit indicates the car was built in Flint, MI.
The engine serial number was likely used on the title to identify the car. Engine number should match the title if the car still has its original engine. The suffix digit 4 indicates the engine goes in a Series 40 Special car. See attached page from the shop manual.
The car serial number on the door post should match the number stamped on the frame if you can find it. It may take some cleaning and a very thin mirror to see the frame number if the body is in the way. The 1 prefix digit indicates the car was built in Flint, MI.
The engine serial number was likely used on the title to identify the car. Engine number should match the title if the car still has its original engine. The suffix digit 4 indicates the engine goes in a Series 40 Special car. See attached page from the shop manual.
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Thank you, very interesting, I will check out the engine serial number tomorrow, see what that says. This car appears mostly original, the odometer reads 27,000 some odd miles, probably original, which would be something. The paint appears original, but who knows for sure with a 68 year old car. The interior was most likely redone sometime in the past, it looks brand new so highly doubtful that's original. The engine compartment is pretty dirty and greasy, so we'll be cleaning that up to make it look good.