VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN)

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) has similar information as the trim tag such as the model, year, and assembly plant. The differences are the last six numbers relating to the the assembly plant sequence as opposed to the trim tag's Fisher Body sequence and the series will designate a 6-cyl (odd third digit) or V8 (even third digit).

A typical 1971 Chevelle VIN might read: 136371R121242 being a Malibu V8 2-door sport coupe assembled in Arlington, TX. and is the 12,242nd 1971 model year Chevelle sequenced at the Arlington, TX. assembly plant.

The VIN plate is located on the forward part of the dash so the VIN plate could easily been seen through the windshield of the car. The VIN plate was riveted a special bracket with unique 'rosette' rivets.

First Digit: Division of General Motors
1 - Chevrolet

Second and Third digit: Series Designation
31 - Nomad, 6-cylinder
32 - Nomad, 8-cylinder
33 - Chevelle, El Camino, 6-cylinder
34 - Chevelle, El Camino, Greenbrier, 8-cylinder
35 - Malibu, 6-cylinder
*36 - Malibu, Custom El Camino, Concours, 8-cylinder
38 - Concours Estate,  Monte Carlo, 8-cylinder

Fourth and Fifth Digit: Body Style/Model
26 - 4-door station wagon, 2 seat (Nomad only)
36 - 4-door station wagon, 2 seat
*37 - 2-door sport coupe
39 - 4-door sport sedan
46 - 4-door station wagon, 3 seat
57 ~ Monte Carlo 2-door sport coupe
67 - 2-door convertible
69 - 4-door sedan
80 - 2-door sedan pickup

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
1 - 1971

Seventh Digit (Alpha Designation): Final Assembly Plant
*R ~ Arlington, Texas
B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
F ~ Flint, Michigan
K ~ Kansas City, Missouri
L ~ Van Nuys, California
1 ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Eighth through Thirteenth Digits: Sequential Production Number

The sequential starting number for the 1971 Chevelle was 100001 at all Chevelle assembly plants except Oshawa, Ontario which started at 500001. Each assembly plant sequenced Chevelles of all series/models without regard to specific series/models. For example, if a series 13857 Monte Carlo followed a 13667 Malibu convertible, the sequence number would be one unit higher for the Monte Carlo. It's also entirely possible to have the same sequence number from all five 1971 U.S. assembly plants with the only difference between the VINs being the plant code. Oshawa, Ontario would not have a matching sequence number of a U.S. plant Chevelle due to the starting sequence of 500001.

Production at the Baltimore assembly plant in early May and the Kansas City plant exceeded 100,000 units sometime in late April, so the VIN sequence from those timeframes to the end of production would be 2nnnnn for the Baltimore and Kansas City plants.