GC 11 Can I find the Hidden VIN? Why does it even matter? The answer may surprise you!!!

[@paintucation]

4th!!! Hope you all like this one!! Not super tech-heavy, but good info!!! Thanks for watching!

[@Rev22-21]

As the saying goes "we're sometimes our own worse critics". But believe me this is excellent content! 😊

[@ryanhale4336]

26:45 looks like there's a vin on the firewall when you found your screwdriver

[@inerlogic]

"....keep the car honest and true...... except for where i make it look like a '70, and the color will be different... so the vin won't actually match at all....... like and subscribe!" Lol 23:59 dude, your camera person is a dick....

[@CaptainCurt07]

*Curious why you don’t have really no paint videos, are you really just trying to get people to by a subscription? Your channel name really doesn’t match your content, I love your content btw I’d just love to see some painting videos, I did scroll thru to look* live your content anyway just to be clear!

[@paintucation]

@@CaptainCurt07 Then you'll love the content coming up very soon with VGG Derek's truck! Gotta tell the whole story, and a good paintjob is about bodywork and blocking, then spraying. BTW, subscriptions don't cost anything, this channel is free to watch. I don't do KZbin full time and the paintjobs will happen in real time, after the bodywork. Thanks for watching! I'm glad you're here!

[@TheJimbodean67]

My mom was the secretary for the Iowa state patrol vehicle theft unit post 15 back in the 80’s through the 90’s and I remember how she mentioned during investigations into chop shops how they utilized hidden vin locations provided to law enforcement by manufacturers. She said they sometimes had to really tear a car apart to find them because they were stamped early in the build at the factory. Your story reminded me of a guy I met at a swap meet many moons ago clandestinely selling genuine vintage vin tags for rare muscle cars, SS chevy’s, a ram air 4 gto, etc. he had pulled them from salvage yard wrecks not realizing you had to use those proprietary rivets. Neat episode Kevin, thanks for sharing.

[@paintucation]

Thanks for sharing!!! Great comment!

[@warrenmichael918]

@@paintucation arent the dash VIN tags held on with "special" rivets that cant just be replaced with a normal one? When the rivets look like a normal one, its kind of a red flag that something is fishy.

[@Formulabruce]

@@paintucation 2nd gen F Bodys have 2 Hidden VIN IF it is an AC car. One by the blower motor, and one by the Big rectangular hole for the Suitcase hook up. They were done with a pneumatic stamper on the tool rail above the car, Similar to your hole punch tool. NON AC cars only have 1 hidden VIN by the blower motor hole in firewall.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

That transmission tunnel looks like somebody cut it out with a dull beaver.

[@Rev22-21]

A former employee of mine came home one day and found a Texas Ranger, deputy sheriff and local police in his driveway. They suspected the Camaro he'd bought from a body shop wasn't what he'd thought (as in free clear and free title wise). And sure enough they knew where every place and vin number was, and as suspected it was stolen; and they were correct. So at the end of the day, the body shop owed not only the bank note on that car, but the equivalent sale 'replacement cost' also...not to mention a grande theft auto charge. Just sayin' Very informative and great content sir !! For me.... I really favor this Camaro series.

[@paintucation]

Thank you very much!! I'm enjoying creating the content on this. At the end of the day I'm going to have a pretty cool car too. :-)

[@mikecostello1727]

Haha, very good of you to save the screws and bolts. I learn a very expensive lesson while restoring my 66 Malibu 4dr. When we took the doors apart we did not save the ripped up torn window felts. A year later upon final touches we could not buy replacements because we thought it would be easy peasy, but not. 4dr non posted coupe no one made the replacement for it. They told me if I still had the old one to send them in and they could replicate them. But unfortunately they were in a land fill for a year t. Still don't have them. Lol 😊😂

[@BryansGarage]

I have my 74 Firebird tore apart to this stage, just went and looked and verified my VIN. Learn something every day, thanks!

[@tomlloyd2696]

What color are you going to paint the G 28 ?

[@Silvy-ii4cg]

Hey Kevin, just wanted to let you know and anyone else interested that there are partial vin numbers on nearly every panel of that car. For instance, the hood has one on the passenger side near the cowl near the pinch weld. My 70 also has one on the inner wheelhouse where it meets the top and on the flange where the inner and outer meet on both sides of the car. It gets interesting when restoring these old cars what you find!

[@charlesdalton985]

Great tips on the VIN tags, and I'm very glad the Officers and Mecum worked so well for you. Regarding colorful language, my dad was a WWII Vet. He not only swore, he did so in the most colorful way. For example, a bolt wasn't just "@$%#$% tight" it was "Tighter than a bull's a** in January". It's like simply tossing cuss words was amateurish to him. Anyway, enough rambling, thank you again for taking us along. See you Tuesday ~ Chuck

[@nick540g]

I would never have been brave enough to tackle this job, but I'm enjoying the heck out of watching you and learning what CAN be done and how it's done properly. Thank you for the extra effort required to narrate and record this process - somebody will definitely be inspired to follow suit.

[@Sabe53]

This is something you do because you want to or to get a car to be what you want it to be.

[@garysimonson9593]

I'm really glad you went into detail about the importance of maintaining a car's original VIN. There are SO many people on social media talking about selling a trashed car's VIN tag and they all swear up and down it's no big deal. Yes, it is. There was a recent incident at a Barrett-Jackson auction in AZ where the state PD literally cut the VIN tag out of a Coronet R/T because it was swapped, a rebody. There can be serious consequences including real jail time. It is not worth it.

[@curtisbacon7856]

Every piece on that car is absolutely one hundred percent worth saving

[@paintucation]

Understood!!

[@peterdelia1814]

Your videos are great. You completely demystify car restoration. Obviously you’re skilled and it is not simple . Keep up the good work. I am glad you let us share the projects and journey.

[@paintucation]

Thank you!!! Lots more fun stuff on the way!!

[@blahblah4125]

I appreciate you ability to share your knowledge, great sense of humor, and master class of car lore. Great channel from a great guy! Thanks for your content.

[@paintucation]

Many thanks!!! We really appreciate you!

[@jasonrackawack9369]

My 1975 455 4 speed trans am is an original low miles numbers matching car....the trans tunnel looks just like that, shifter hole was cut out of the floor pan with a torch and a stamped hump for the shift boot was spot welded over the hole before primer and painting.....I remember being shocked how crude the opening was cut at the factory.....it was a 1970s quality thing I guess🤣😅😂

[@paintucation]

Wow! Maybe mine is the factory opening

[@jasonrackawack9369]

@@paintucation maybe it is...check for evidence of the shifter hump being removed mine was spot welded to the floor pan in 4 places , I also have a thin sheet metal hook spot welded to the bottom of the tunnel...I believe it was meant to hold the shift rods on the trans from hanging down untill the trans and shifter was fully installed on the assembly line. Two other places to check is the inside edge frame rail will have evidence of the clutch Z bar parts being atrached at some point and near the brake pedal assembly you will have evidence of the clutch push rod hole being punched out in the firewall. The guys at Nasty Z28 might be able to decode the numbers on the VIN....I got spoiled with having a pontiac the factory records are still available for a fee through "Pontiac Historical Services". It is a private company that was smart enough to save the old Pontiac records You can get a copy of the factory invoice showing how it was built and where it was delivered. Loving this 74 camaro build!

[@DoubleRRestorations]

Loving the progress Kevin. I was wondering about Zed Sled. Everything has a season for sure. Great info on the VIn. It sure makes restoration and repair work a challenge.

[@paintucation]

Hey Russel, thanks man. I hated to see Zed Sled go, but it was time and we needed to use the resources for developing more training programs. Which are in motion right now!!! Somebody somewhere has a bad to the bone second gen! By the way, I'm taking cues from you and you building up your back half on your channel.. great Tech tips my friend!

[@DoubleRRestorations]

Thats awesome Kevin. Im very excited about whats happening with both of our channels. This week my daughter and I finished up our last segment on her Mustang so everyone will be seeing that series soon. This coming week Im excited to start a video series that Ive been talking about for a long time, door skins, lol. Time for me to face my fears. Lol.

[@MikeNocosia]

Kevin as a fourteen year old. I had the pleasure.I'm working in a gas station open gas learning. With World War 2 veterans. With incredibly colorful language.😊

[@paintucation]

😁

[@bb5242]

ya, my dad working on cars was nothing but swearing. I thought that was a requirement.

[@odahithedubious]

It kind of is. Especially for some cars, and some of their systems. Like my friend who took all his vacuum lines off to replace them, and then had to figure out where the new ones were supposed to go.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Same, worked with a guy that served in the Pacific. Wow.

[@MuttiFPS]

Kevin! I'm absolutely loving this build series!

[@57WillysCJ]

If you contact your state police they can inspect you removing and refastening the vin tag and certify it. You keep that with the car paperwork in the car that way if someone looks at it in a different state you hand them the certificate. They know there are times it needs removed so they have a system to make it right. Probably the same thing Mecum did except you don't have a panic last minute rush to prove it.

[@swaller4504]

I bought a 71 Lemans from a junkyard I worked in in the late 70's. After I rebuilt it I had to have the Ohio State highway patrol inspect it for both correct vin and repairs were all done. I was shocked when they told be I had a car with the wrong vin than than the title I had with me. Turns out the correct vin to the car was on the purchase order but I was given the wrong title as they got 2 of the same car within a few days and they gave me the title for the other car. All that was needed was them to fax a copy of the correct title so they would let me drive the car home. After that I always checked all the paperwork before even rebuilding the cars before I put a penny in them. A lot of cars before the late 60's don't have a hidden vin because that was when they started using them after car theft was getting so bad.

[@williamshephard640]

Great video and some really good information that nobody rarely or really talks about. Thanks a bunch !

[@paintucation]

Thanks bud!!

[@LarryHeagren]

Kevin, make some patch panels for the floor and the tunnel. Also, maybe consider a ZF 6 speed from a C4 Corvette. I put one in a '75 Vega once ('75 is the biggest trans tunnel in a Vega). It is a double overdrive transmission and can handle 450 HP easily. It is also one more gear than the 5 speed and you can still find the Hurst short shifter. It is something to consider and may be cheaper than the 5 speed transmission setup.

[@picklesontheroad]

LOL Imagine having to recreate a VIN number from a hidden VIN! I had to do that with an old Harley that I bought as a basket case. Harleys are stolen and parted out much more than most cars (or at least one time they were) as a motorcycle shop owner I had to learn where all the hidden numbers were to verify... it got to the point where even the Texas DPS and our local Sheriffs office would come to me to verify a title or VIN number. The hidden numbers moved to different locations over the years. The fun part of it was researching the numbers, because on that first bike I researched I was able to find out the day it was built, on what shift, in which building, and could even get a name of who signed off on it. That's how detailed Harley's records are. That was the only bike I researched that deeply, but that was just out of my own curiosity. My first apprenticeship was with OPEL (GM) and there were a couple different locations for hidden VIN numbers on those cars. On the chassis cars, they were in one place and on the sub-chassis cars they were on a different place. If we replaced or worked on such a part, the bosses were pretty picky about how we restamped them. In a 4 year apprenticeship I think we had to do it twice. It's kind of a big deal... and don't use the wrong stamp... sometimes the font changed as well!

[@paintucation]

Fascinating!!!!! I really appreciate your comments! Never knew VINs were ever re-stamped. Cool info!

[@stevesadusky8634]

The ac box and misc stuff related to the ac is valuable and worth something to the person needing it for their build. Save it Kevin. It will sell..👍

[@j2kinflarc768]

I’ve always liked this body style Camaro. As a kid a guy nearby had one that was green, black vinyl top, with black interior. Must have been a custom color because I’ve never seen any other one. It was always parked near the bowling alley we went to. I met the owner when I was about 9 years old. When i was about 15 it was stolen. The guy searched for it and found it stripped of many parts. He found a car with the front clip on it, still the same green. Unfortunately the police said they couldn’t do anything about it. Yet weeks later I saw his Camaro once again. Legend has it that he hired a guy to “reclaim” his parts.

[@uncleric3797]

Your content has always been informative and I’m glad you have your own channel. Also been a big fan of Randy’s skill in color and builds. The car community is so cool in that skills and knowledge is shared to make other people and projects better.

[@paintucation]

That's my favorite thing ... So many good people!👍

[@paulwiley9102]

As I've heard another utuber say. Anything is a hammer if you use it wrong. Lol but waiting (im)patiently for you to show us more of Derricks truck. Heck, he don't have his going to town rig to even go get a cold snack.

[@marksamatuerfloridavideos]

Another great video Kevin. Once again showing the detail and effort required to restore this car! Keep up the good work. Thank you again for your effort. Mark Citrus County Florida.

[@toddh2410]

Thanks for letting us hangout!

[@paintucation]

Any time!

[@JimPenix-u1v]

Another great video. I like these so much better than the TV shows...thanks for doing this. 👍

[@dogpotter]

Thanks for sharing really enjoyed it

[@modelbuildingcorner]

Another great episode Kevin. I am loving how much of the small detail work you show. I gave this build a shout out on my model car channel.

[@ianyates7742]

Cut a section out of a donor car for the transmission tunnel for the manual shift,easy job there’s no point in replacing the hole thing 😊

[@vancity2349]

Hidden VIN who knew...I didn't....thanks for sharing and glad it all worked out...

[@paintucation]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@gdaddy3179]

Another great vid, Kevin 👍 I’m putting a ‘71 grille on my ‘73 Barracuda, and going from factory white to green …. I’m debating if I should swap the tail panel, too, to ‘71, because I think the quad taillights match the quad headlights better than the square ‘71 taillights. Florida told me they only require I have the color changed on the Title. She’ll always be a ‘73 by her VIN.

[@58scottyd]

I had no idea that there was a hidden vin number, I learned something today! Really enjoying this build. I remember the vgg episode when he pulled it out of the barn, I pretty much wrote this off for the crusher ( and it hurt because I had a 74 Z28 in high school, I still miss it 48 years later)

[@charliecatron5367]

Thank you Kevin! Your an amazing guy to watch. Cant wait to see the finished product, but its fun to watch the progress too.

[@paintucation]

Thanks 👍

[@chrishamilton1899]

love the detail that you show us

[@jaratt85]

I still like the Mazda "Ranger" build you guys did, though I don't know if I ever saw the payoff for it. It's one of those projects that taught me how to do something that a lot of people don't know about with the fleece and foam and making your own fender flairs and splitter. It's another reason why I'd love to build a CA smog legal 302 extended cab Ranger. (I'm 6'10, I have to have at least an extended cab if I have a hope in hell of fitting in one) There was a guy selling a 69 FJ40 chassis for $250 not far from me recently and I seriously wanted to make my version of a T Bucket out of it. There was another guy selling a Model T roadster tub and other parts and I figured I could've lengthened and even reverse sectioned the tub to make it big enough for me to be comfortable in, and then make a short bed for it and even with a 4 or 6 cyl in it and even a 3 on the tree or a T5 just go out and have a fun little hot rod that handled great and was a blast to just rip around with loud exhaust until the local cops gave me hell for it. We had a 65 FJ40 with a 145HP 6 with some upgrades and while I'll never drive a FJ/Jeep on the freeway again, that thing just going around the block (had no brakes or seatbelt at the time even) was some of the most fun I've ever had in a car.. all you needed was first and second gear with those factory 4.11 gears. The rat ate out glasspack only added to the experience and revving it all the way through first and second gears only to hit 30-35mph before having to make another turn was hilarious. Jay Leno always says "driving a slow car fast is way more fun than driving a fast car slow" and I definitely believe it. Add to it that it had 31X11.50 tires stretched onto 12 inch wide rims and that thing would actually handle really well... once you started moving. I think the FJ T Bucket would've been just as much fun, maybe even a little more so. Personally, my vote just build a hot 350 for it and put EFI on it maybe with stack injection. Really the intake and exhaust are dependant on what you want to do with it. Are you just going to make a 70 Z28 clone? Are you going to make a Trans Am racer style car? Are you going autocross? Drag racing? Pro Street? I tend to lean towards the Trans Am style, when I had my 70 Mustang that's what I wanted to do with it. EFI is great for reliablity, power, and fuel mileage and stacked injection just looks cool and sounds cool, especially breathing through a set of Holman Moody style long tube flat headers and a pair of big 3 foot long Cherrybomb Glasspacks dumping out in front of the rear tires, especially with a decent cam giving it that thump. Okay I'm shutting up now, I'm making myself depressed with the cool ideas I'll never be able to afford to do.

[@paintucation]

Thanks!!! My goal is nice handling, autocross some, comfortable road trips, bangin tunes!!! The looks of a 70, with a couple custom tweaks.... My own flavor. KZbin Power Nation has that payoff for the Ranger... We took it to a Nashville racetrack. Thanks man! Love your comment!

[@drivewayshop]

I was given a car many years ago, needed the carb gone through and steering very weird, anyway, I got it sufficiently running so I could license it, but it needed a safety inspection. The shop had me leave it so they could do it when they could fit it in. A few hours later I got a call to come down there. I was thinking they were done, but they said, you've got a problem. This car has two VIN numbers... They showed me with it on the lift how the front frame had been cut and welded, and was shifted to one side. (That explained the weird steering). Anyway, I took it home and gave it back to the person. No idea what happened but it was likely a wreck repair. I wasn't out anything really as it was just a worn out Dodge Omni, and I had only just a couple hours wasted on it. 😅

[@totrodder97]

Only a few months ago i got my 1968 Pontiac Catalina registered here in the UK however that also had some discrepancy with the VIN as the previous Ohio title and shipping/import info had used the paint/trim code in the plate on the firewall instead of the VIN on the dash, luckily i found the build sheet above the tank and that happened to match the Paint/Trim tag aswell as the official VIN, i also found the official Vin stamped inside the trunk near to the hinge support panel under the package tray (hey my pontiac is GM too so may have one here on similar era Camaros too) also found the vin or atleast the last 6 or so digits of it stamped in the gutter trim under the trunk seal and also on the edge of the fenders that meets the hood

[@SeanJoseph-s2s]

Yeah....after you do a info check on the car ...it does give you a better perspective on your cars history....good tips and content...thanks....🔧🔧👍

[@paintucation]

Right on! Thanks!

[@wolfgangschulz2149]

I really appreciate you showing us about the hidden vin. I had my 1975 trans am stolen and now that I know about the hidden vin I can get the cops to retrieve it from the theaf.

[@paintucation]

Glad it helps!!

[@lonewolf4827]

Hey man, another great episode! I'm hooked on this build and very excited for you. I think at some point your gonna have to lose the Garbage Camaro nickname cuz it's fast becoming NOT garbage 🙂 Also, would the VIN not have the auto or manual shift info embedded? Can't wait until the next episode! Cheers from sunny Florida my friend 😎🌴

[@michaelweiland6751]

I bought a 71 Z28 that had the top of the cowl replaced, so I was handed the Vin and trim tag. I didn't care because I knew it was for the car and what the guy had done, but ohhhh man, I did realize at the time what a big deal that was 😳🤪

[@JimPenix-u1v]

I built a dune buggy out of a VW bug chassis and moved the VIN tag from the VW donor to the dash of the dune buggy. I sold it without any issues. Of course, I didn't sell it at Mecum either. Good information though...I probably won't be moving one in the future unless it's absolutely necessary.

[@kenyoung5682]

VWs are easy. Stamped serial number under rear seat (on the central tunnel).

[@JimPenix-u1v]

@@kenyoung5682 Yeah, and? Not sure what your point is....I was talking about the one on the dash....that's what was being discussed in the video.

[@richmccabe2902]

I am surprised they made issues of the VIN. I have seen hundreds of cars that only have the VIN tag on dash or drivers door jamb. Most guys smooth firewall and the trim tag is totally gone. Thanks for the real videos Kevin.

[@warrenmichael918]

I think it was the fact it had been removed, which isnt supposed to be removed unless someone from the stste is there to verify it or something like that. They even have those special star shaped rivets. When they noticed it had been removed, it couldnt be sold as a true verified VIN car. VIN issued will lower the price like crazy.

[@markogrundman6147]

Don't let the purist bother you , it's us hobbiest that keep these cars from the crushers ,great looking cars , great imagination

[@clintharris1898]

Retaining hardware can be a challenge. I've reinstalled it back into it's location, but that's not always possible if metalwork or paint needs to be done. I've tried labeled baggies, and that works... but not always ideal. Placing the hardware back into the component is best. I've tried masking tape to retain the hardware, but sometimes it leaves a residue when stored for a long time. If you have enough thread showing on the backside, use zip ties over the threads to retain the hardware on the component.

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

Worked in body shops for a while. One time the window guys, when they were cutting the windshield out of a car sliced the rivets on a vin tag off. Big ordeal, they cant be ordered from the dealership, had to get the authorities involved and everything. Be careful guys and yes DONT TOUCH THE VIN RIVETS!

[@paintucation]

Thank you!!!!! It's a thing!!!

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

@@paintucation it is totally a thing!

[@-donkey_696_]

​@@jeffreyshepherd8488so what do you do if that whole dash/ cowl panel needs to be replaced ,the only original pcs on the 70firebird I'm working on will be the roof and firewall and the sides of the cowl where the doors bolt on or Apiller ? Please help ? I'm in Canada ,

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

@-donkey_696_ before you do any work to it have highway patrol verify it and tell them your intentions and they can reattach it

[@thruitallauto2538]

@@-donkey_696_yeah that’s my problem

[@Concreterebel63]

I might clean and protect/tape over that secret vin, then provide a window/slot and maybe a few well placed holes for an inspection camera to navigate to its location after completion. Don't forget to remove the tape. A picture and or tracing may not be good enough proof with all the changes you are making

[@georgethompson4736]

There is also a vin behind the passenger side kick panel

[@DavidB7474]

The wire harness is 74 specific. It’s the only year to have the seat belt bypass switch in the driver side fender well in the engine compartment, and that ties into the passenger compartment. Also Z28 models built after February of 1974 got the hei from the factory. Prior to the February the Z28 got a points distributor. All plain 74 models got the points distributor.

[@retroelectrons2]

Very good info.!

[@polo1sam1]

Hi Kevin I must admit I am here for the camero. I find it enjoyable and not really in to the Chevy truck, but if I have to watch another Chevy truck build oh ok. May miss one but I be patiently awaiting for the return to the camero . I see it as an alternative way to get the cooler 1970-71 cheaper. If a guy didn’t care if it’s a later model. I like that. Thanks.

[@paintucation]

Thanks for watching and the comments... 'Preciate ya!

[@blahblah4125]

The 1974 Chevrolet Camaro was built at the Norwood, Ohio plant. Ironically me and your car were born in the same year :)

[@paintucation]

Awesome! Thanks for the info!!!

[@alantrimble2881]

The ‘70-‘81 Camaro was built in both Norwood, OH and Van Nuys, CA.

[@briandetienne5680]

Love the TKX behind the 347 in my 67 Cougar!

[@kiwiclassicsandcustoms9160]

Maybe Marvin the Martian talking to you😂. Good info today!!! Can't imagine doing all those hours and all that money to find you've got a major problem......

[@paintucation]

It was pretty intense, I have to say

[@mightymikethebear]

This video does provide useful information. Mismatched and missing VINs could be an indicator that a vehicle may be difficult to properly restore of title in many states.

[@briantills950]

“I have a vehicle that hasn’t been chopped up”…..as he stands next to the vehicle he literally chopped up 😂 Good one Kevin

[@johnmilner7603]

Everything that works and is original is worth keeping bc the aftermarket just doesn’t cut it these days. If that’s a 4 speed car then the hole will be drilled out of the nipple mark for the clutch rod on the firewall. These are the Z/28’s in order I’ve owned and still own my 70 that I purchased from the original owner in ‘81. 1968 1971 1977 ordered new 1978 ordered new 1980 ordered new 1970 And all were/are 4 speeds. When restoring, never remove the dash VIN or the Cowl tag. Norwood cars used red oxide primer where LA used black.

[@GenderSkins]

Couple of things Kevin. One you can remove the factory vin, and data plate but you "MUST" replace the rivets with only the OEM rivets that you can only buy from the manufacture at a dealership. I know that as a had to do a cab and body swap on a 1965 Ford F-100, and was told that by state troopers, state inspectors and the county tax collector where I had to register the truck. And had to provide a photo of the new rivets on the vin and data plate, as well as the receipt from the Ford Dealership with shipping label from Ford in Detroit. Now I do not think your Camaro is a factory 4 speed on the floor or a 3 on the tree. The reason I think that, is that I am not seeing the signs of one in the drivers side floor panel near the fire wall. But I do think someone tried to put a Muncie four-speeds in with a Hertz shifter, that is based off of the shape and angle of the hole in the side of the trans tunnel.

[@mattshoemaker207]

Watching you from Charleston SC area

[@DavidMcCormick-v8b]

In case one of the many reply's here does not mention it, that Camaro actually has two hidden VIN markings. They are not far from each other. One next to the blower motor hole on the firewall (as found), and the other next to the larger hole for the AC Evap. They are stamped by the same person one after the other on the assembly line. There is normally also, if someone has not painted over it, on the driver's side, an oil pen marking of the last three digits on the cowl tag. Those numbers are the unit number of the build run. They are to identify the car on the assembly line without needing to get up and read the tag.

[@kmoyers3842]

Always looking forward to Saturday morning updates!

[@paintucation]

Glad to hear it!

[@billtreder9287]

that may be a factory 4 speed car.... i have heard they did cut that hole with a torch but have not seen it yet... i am in the process of reviving a very molested trans am and making it a 4 speed... there is a hump that was spot welded to the floor then a tub screws to that, that tub is screwed to the console along with the rubber and a boot for the hurst shifter if so equipped...(there was another shifter if you didnt have that option) i would look for the ripped out spot welds that held the hump! if you find them it was a 4 speed car! i have heard they did it this way because they became 4 speed cars going down the assembly line.... we havnt cut our hole yet because we dont have a console and thus need to weld the hump in place so that it lines up with the tub and console.... there are factory dimples to guide you on where the hump and hole goes

[@paintucation]

COOOL!!! I'm gonna take a really close look at that tunnel and look for the spot welds! thanks man! You're not the first person that has said manual trans cars had a torch-cut shifter hole.... interesting!

[@billtreder9287]

@@paintucation feel free to reach out ive got the hump but dont know how to weld it in yet....

[@Issueforth]

Also scribe a reference mark on the wiper motor clocking positioning, for return to correct position.

[@dougeaton2446]

This is good info... i didn't know where they was hidden on a camaro

[@Saabmann79]

There was no requirement for an embossed VIN on the body or undercarriage in Norway before 31 December 1969. The VIN was often an embossed metal plate screwed into place in the engine compartment. From 1 January 1970, the VIN/chassis number must be stamped on the bodywork or undercarriage, but there are no requirements for location or shape, size and how many. Some cars were also forgotten to have the VIN number stamped when processing at customs in the 70s. If they didn't have the number from the factory. These few cars will be faulted today during periodic vehicle environmental and safety checks upon new registration. These controls started in the late 90s. Before that, there were only roadside checks by the Norwegian Motor Vehicle Inspection Authority and then the mood of the inspector was also of great importance. If the car was dirty (can't find VIN) or bad tyres. Then they take the license plate and give the car a driving ban. The controls were also far from nothing. So you go to the nearest farm to borrow a phone to get help with transporting the car to the workshop. For washing and new tyres. Bad lights were often fined.

[@paintucation]

Interesting... We're pretty fortunate here in the USA. Thanks for the information!

[@GKtechnics]

great video, only surprise was the rust being sprayed ontop of, visible at 5:15.And why that whole anyway? looks like it was cut open with sidecutters.

[@dondarling1843]

you said 'hole" that was pretty cool Beavis!

[@paintucation]

Uh Huh ... Uh huh huh...

[@thomaslittle2208]

The Vin numbers is also stamped about 1 inch below the rectangle hole in firewall where the heater core sets

[@paintucation]

Found that one today after reading this comment!!! Thank you!!

[@SkillzManifest]

​@paintucation there's actually four other Vin tags throughout the car. There's also one on the driver side where the "X" is stamps firewall. Not to mention on rear passenger side wheel well how long the pinch welds. And another hidden one on passenger side rear pillared by the back glass inside the panel

[@user-fj4or9xs2h]

Kevin, you mentioned primer and what plants used what color primer.. 1974 Camaros were only assembled in one assembly plant.. Norwood, Ohio

[@paintucation]

Noted.... Thanks!!!

[@Sean-i4r]

Love this guy

[@jwrockets]

The line was, "He's got an ULTIMATE set of tools. I can fix it."

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Pandoras box sometimes on a project car! The factory AC system is almost always better in my experience, but I have had decent performance from Old Air Products also, probably 90% as good I'd guess, very similar to Vintage Air in the few I've done. Either way I'm sure you've done way more aftermarket systems than I have. lol I have heard the hidden VIN can be in more than one place on each car as well? So anyone cutting away metal should certainly document it like you're doing here! Nice work!

[@paintucation]

Thanks!!! I've had good luck with Vintage Air and LS engines .... Same Sanden pump and it all seems to jive. Thanks man!

[@mikedangelo26]

I find it's a natural part of working on cars to cuss a lot. My neighbor came over one time to see who I was cussing at, and all I was doing was working on my project

[@tonyorwick492]

Kevin check that shifter when you put it in Drive see if it has extra gears push it to the right I had a 1979 Z28 and a 1979 T Top Berlinetta they both had what they called a slap shifter in them the T Top was packaged with the Z28 package even though it wasn't badged as a Z28 both was number matching

[@paintucation]

I'll definitely check it!! Thanks!

[@tonyorwick492]

@@paintucation they came in certain Nova Chevelle Camaro

[@halldorra]

Behind the heater box in my 1971 Chevelle 😉

[@ScottCooley-w5e]

Another great video keep up the great work and thanks

[@Northspy49]

Almost looks like an automatic car, that someone converted to a manual, and then, went back to an auto.

[@bryanwheat9101]

You can get the oem style rivets for those.

[@paintucation]

Yup ... Still a problem to use them unless you get state certified inspection.

[@junkyardsearcher6407]

Surprisingly, the ac system on my 1973 Chevy truck was 1973-1974 specific… it’s not that way anymore 😂 My guess is that GM used a very similar proprietary unit in the cars for those years too.

[@rickpriami6659]

Behind the heater box on the firewall ..

[@waynerohde1036]

I seen guys cut a decent size piece around the vin off and weld it back in when restoring. Then they don’t mess with the factory rivets

[@davidpowers8766]

Do you still use style line products

[@paintucation]

Actually, yes I do. Not for every surface... but I really like them.

[@lancewheeler1548]

I've seen 60s standard gm's with what looks like torch cut shifter holes,

[@roym.9875]

Kevin, I am in the process of replacing the cowl panel on my 73 Firebird because of rust through around the base of the windshield. As you know, my VIN tag was attached to that panel.......which is in pieces on the floor of my shop. How do I avoid the kind of problem you described at Megan?

[@paintucation]

I would document it, then talk to your local DMV... You may have to get an inspection to have it certified by the state. Shouldn't be any problem, just make sure you fully disclose everything that you've done

[@petebrandstrom1038]

How about under the left trunk seal, Mopar matching the core support

[@toejam503]

I worked 20+ years in a Dealership and we used air tools. I retired in 2018 and see that most shops use battery powered tools. How often do you have to rotate/change the batteries?

[@mrwaycool7651]

My grandsons love to watch and help me on my OBS project but my wife and daughter always remind me and them about using creative language. 😂

[@dondavis6997]

No one of my craziest positions is sitting upside down in a seat to get underneath the dash

[@paintucation]

Yup!!! Try that in a Miata..... Mandatory chiropractic appointment after that.

[@charlesscantling7791]

9 36:34 io

[@charlesscantling7791]

​@paintuca0😅tion

[@markhesanalienking9757]

Kevin do a livestream next video on this car 🚗 Loving this series!

[@steveozbourne24]

hello i realy enjoyed ths vidwo i just aquired a 1973 z28 and i had no iidea of a hidden vin# so this was a huge vid for me all though i have never done a project this huge i dont know what i am doing but determined i disabled funds are low but i gonna go for it your videos are a great help maybe some time if i get stuck you can help with some wisdom

[@dondavis6997]

Yeah. You can call my matching number on my frame for my vin. And what year the frame rails were when I grabbed them off the shelf my frame is actually a year older than my truck

[@mentaldiversions]

Knowing what you know now, during your build would you put a special peep hole to access the hidden vin easier with a borescope camera?

[@paintucation]

No, I'd have photos of the hidden locations.... If I had provided that at MECUM that would have satisfied the inspector

[@j.d.8593]

As someone with OCD, my brain kept going a little crazy everytime Kevin said "VIN number" 🤣

[@Tmlong333]

I was on a jury once where the evidence against the criminal contestant was a hidden vin number.

[@kevinjohnson7839]

No thank you for the update ❤❤❤

[@jimwright8748]

Cut it out big around it and weld it in nice, wouldn't even be questioned if it did have to be moved.

[@DavidB7474]

Yeah you can get correct rivets. Makes it easy for scammers. And some second gens use screws for the cowl tag. But removing the vin from the dash is a red flag. Yeah and for those that think it’s so cool to smooth and cover the firewall, not so much if you remove the hidden vin if there is ever an issue. You know how many people on social media think vin swapping is legal, and ok.

[@michaelmarciano2442]

They sell a manual transmission plate that you weld in looks factory for conversion

[@paintucation]

10-4, saw one online!