Author Topic: 2nd gen vin verification  (Read 5147 times)

CH75TA

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2nd gen vin verification
« on: October 29, 2023, 05:00:27 PM »
I got a 78 Martinique blue 78 T/A and after I got it home I realized the vin was swapped from a 78 Formula. Is there a list somewhere of consecutive vins? I found the partial behind the heater box and need to research what I've found to seeing I can get
A title and new replacement vin. I was told the car was not stolen, does anyone have any idea's? Thanks for any help, it appears to be a 400 4-speed car.

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2023, 08:06:54 PM »
Does the VIN in the windscreen not match the firewall partial, last 6 digits?

Does the cowl build plate match the VIN in minor details? Does it say it's a TA or a Formula, or something else?

Don't confuse the build plate on the wiper cowl that says it's a Firebird, they all say that. Does the windscreen VIN start with 2W87 or 2U87 or something else? Cowl build plate has options of WS4 or W66 or similar?

aussieta

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2023, 02:28:50 AM »
when i went to buy my TA
i looked at quite a few formulas that had TA decals
some owners would not believe me when i tried to tell them that their car was in fact a formula
so please post a bit more info on what you have happening
1978 Y84 W72 WS6
A Camaro looks like it could kick your ass.
A Trans Am looks like it's coming over to do it

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2023, 05:36:12 AM »
On the other side of the coin, mine was registered as a Trans Am because it's the only model they recognised.

roadking77

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2023, 06:18:17 AM »
Yes, need some clarification. IF the vin has been swapped it sounds like a can of worms to me. May not be as easy to get things straightened out as you might think!!
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2023, 06:18:17 AM »

CH75TA

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2023, 08:00:04 PM »
It's a real 78 Trans Am with a Trans Am data tag and formula Vin. Based on what the car has and the number on the firewall near the blower motor I come up with the correct Vin and found out it's not stolen. Now to decide to register it with the formula title or Get rid of it. It sucks to lose a Martinique blue car like this.

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2023, 03:35:55 AM »
Parts car. Perhaps it's already been a cut and shut job.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2023, 03:38:14 AM by Wallington »

roadking77

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2023, 06:11:45 AM »
Does the vin match the number stamped in the firewall? IF the vin identifies as a Formula then that is what it is. Sounds like something hinky going on and stolen or not if the numbers dont match something is def. wrong. If the vin tag has been swapped I am pretty sure that is illegal in most states, so if it were me I would not want to put any money into something like that. Perhaps that is the reason the seller got rid of the car. Perhaps if all things are proper you may be able to get a 'state assigned' vin?
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

aussieta

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2023, 05:59:30 PM »
van nuys cars had nothing on the data tag to prove TA
please list some photos or write up of what you have
leave out last 6 digits of vin number
list vin number and all numbers off of cowl tag
1978 Y84 W72 WS6
A Camaro looks like it could kick your ass.
A Trans Am looks like it's coming over to do it

aussieta

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2023, 06:01:45 PM »
if you order phs for the vin you have
you should be able to match up other numbers
did you find the chalk body number behind the hvac box
1978 Y84 W72 WS6
A Camaro looks like it could kick your ass.
A Trans Am looks like it's coming over to do it

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2023, 04:13:25 PM »
You're welcome.

Maxthe222

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2023, 10:39:47 PM »
It's a real 78 Trans Am with a Trans Am data tag and formula Vin. Based on what the car has and the number on the firewall near the blower motor I come up with the correct Vin and found out it's not stolen. Now to decide to register it with the formula title or Get rid of it. It sucks to lose a Martinique blue car like this.

No it's not. The only defining factory of a "real" Trans Am is the VIN. That is all that separates a Trans Am from a 6cyl Firebird. Otherwise, it's just a Trans Am copy made from a lower end model. If the VIN number on the dash does not match the VIN on the firewall near the blower, it has been "re-bodied", that is a number job. Someone has replaced the VIN in the dash. If the VIN does match on the firewall and the dash VIN, then it's a Formula.
1987 T/A GTA L98
1979 T/A Y84 WS6
1979 F/A W72 WS6
1978 T/A L80 WS6
1978 Formula L80 W50
1971 Formula 400 4-Speed

b_hill_86

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2023, 10:57:46 PM »
It's a real 78 Trans Am with a Trans Am data tag and formula Vin. Based on what the car has and the number on the firewall near the blower motor I come up with the correct Vin and found out it's not stolen. Now to decide to register it with the formula title or Get rid of it. It sucks to lose a Martinique blue car like this. :grin:
:grin: :grin: :grin: :lol: :grin:

No it's not. The only defining factory of a "real" Trans Am is the VIN. That is all that separates a Trans Am from a 6cyl Firebird. Otherwise, it's just a Trans Am copy made from a lower end model. If the VIN number on the dash does not match the VIN on the firewall near the blower, it has been "re-bodied", that is a number job. Someone has replaced the VIN in the dash. If the VIN does match on the firewall and the dash VIN, then it's a Formula.


You know you show up here only slightly more often than the guys that post and disappear  :D

(Just giving you crap man lol)
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2023, 08:25:39 AM »
Or it's the genuine Trans Formula prototype that was never meant to get out of the back design room.

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2023, 12:25:07 AM »
Well, at least we cleared that up. Back to the Lobby.

Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2023, 12:25:07 AM »

FormTA

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2023, 09:28:50 PM »
😁
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

nas t eh

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #16 on: November 17, 2023, 09:06:21 PM »
Or it's the genuine Trans Formula prototype that was never meant to get out of the back design room.

It’s very progressive
1973 T/A 455, 4 speed.

Maxthe222

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2023, 03:33:38 AM »
It's a real 78 Trans Am with a Trans Am data tag and formula Vin. Based on what the car has and the number on the firewall near the blower motor I come up with the correct Vin and found out it's not stolen. Now to decide to register it with the formula title or Get rid of it. It sucks to lose a Martinique blue car like this. :grin:
:grin: :grin: :grin: :lol: :grin:

No it's not. The only defining factory of a "real" Trans Am is the VIN. That is all that separates a Trans Am from a 6cyl Firebird. Otherwise, it's just a Trans Am copy made from a lower end model. If the VIN number on the dash does not match the VIN on the firewall near the blower, it has been "re-bodied", that is a number job. Someone has replaced the VIN in the dash. If the VIN does match on the firewall and the dash VIN, then it's a Formula.


You know you show up here only slightly more often than the guys that post and disappear  :D

Eh, the website barely works for me nowadays, sometimes it lets me log in, sometimes it blocks it due to failed netcert

(Just giving you crap man lol)
1987 T/A GTA L98
1979 T/A Y84 WS6
1979 F/A W72 WS6
1978 T/A L80 WS6
1978 Formula L80 W50
1971 Formula 400 4-Speed

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #18 on: January 02, 2024, 08:22:47 PM »
He never even returned to see the majority of posts after his second visit. I was intrigued, but it wasn't going to end well. He probably just sold it to some new sucker with a spiel about being rare and forgetting to mention nothing matches. I guess it all comes down to what your car identifies as being now.

roadking77

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #19 on: January 29, 2024, 07:04:18 AM »
 :lol: :lol: :lol:
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

FormTA

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  • Life is short, have fun, Drive a T/A
Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2024, 04:55:09 AM »
Ya, I think my car identifies as a Transvestite...
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

CH75TA

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #21 on: August 18, 2024, 10:56:58 AM »
I know it's been a while for this post but the data tag on the firewall says it's a Trans Am by the WS4 code. Someone changed the vin to a Firebird Formula. The guy I bought the car from was lied to, he's trust worthy. The main thing I need to know is if I can get a replacement vin tag and title if it's not stolen. So what I was wondering if anyone has gotten the vin tag replaced and a title. I'd hate to have to get rid of Marty car. I figured a vin by the year, options, and sequential number under the a/c cover by the blower motor.
Thanks to anyone who can help.

Wallington

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Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #22 on: August 18, 2024, 08:13:11 PM »
How have you confirmed that's the accurate one, other than wanting it to be? Far easier to swap the buildplate on the cowl than the vin inside the dash. Perhaps they've both been swapped or both are still accurate and original to what they are fastened to now. Do the engine numbers match anything? Stamped number on the trans? Numbers on door decal match anything? Original paperwork or buildsheet? Stamped numbers hidden behind the heater/AC box match anything or say? Half of these even if they still exist can easily be swapped in the last 45 years, but if they do exist and match the existing VIN or each other, tells you something. Repainting a car blue is far easier than what you'll need to do, and the value will remain as a parts car.

Ok possibly already checked the firewall stamping and matched it to something. Although I doubt that will help in anything much. Perhaps add some pics. Are both Norwood plates? Is that where it says WS4 and the only thing we are going off? How do you know the cowl plate is original if the stamped numbers match the VIN and not the body number?

You'll need far more information to give them and still be knocked back than what you are providing us.
« Last Edit: August 18, 2024, 08:55:51 PM by Wallington »

Re: 2nd gen vin verification
« Reply #22 on: August 18, 2024, 08:13:11 PM »
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