Topic: newbie, need help with VIN year

[jakz]

hi guys! im looking to buy a 77/76? trans am the vin code is 2W87Z6N577642 which is a 76 VIN but the owner claims its a 77 the car looks like a 77 and even has 77 manuals, this may be a stupid question but is there a way a 77 car have a 76 VIN number? I've asked for a pic of the cowl tag to confirm this, should get the pic tomorrow









thanks in advance

best regards

[Wallington]

I'd be very careful. It's nothing like what he says. It's not even a 400 but a 403 Olds, so that VIN doesn't even match regardless of year. Appears to be very neat, but to the point that nothing is original and who know what it started as. Not many would do a 403 swap and use every single hard-to-locate Olds part that went with it, radiator and smog included. Might be a nice car, just be aware that it's not what it appears or claims.
Also, the very first of the '77 model built in late '76 would have a build date of '76 on the buildsheet or PHS, but still '77 on the VIN as that's the model type, so even that is still totally incorrect.

[Flounder55]

Question, the VIN contains the Ohio plant code. Did they produce cars with 403's?  I thought the 403 cars were made in California?

[jakz]

thanks a lot for the replies guys, so its not even the original motor? because using the vin decoder on here it should be

1st digit - GM Division
2 = Pontiac

2nd digit - Series Number
S = Base Firebird
T = Esprit
U = Formula
W = Trans Am (75 - 81)
3rd and 4th digit - Body Type
87 = Sport Coupe

5th digit - Engine Code
D = 250 c.i.d, 1-bbl V6 (1972 - 76)
M = 350 c.i.d, 2-bbl V8 (single exhaust) (1972 - 76)
P = 350 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1976)
W = 455 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1975 -76)
Z = 400 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1976 - 79)

6th digit - Model Year
6 = 1976
7th digit - Assembly Plant
N = Norwood, Ohio
L = Van Nuys, California

Last 6 digits - Production Number
100001/up

right? i think ill pass, i was looking for an original car and i think this one has too much swapped parts, its priced as an original so i think its not worth it

best regards