Topic: Y88 vin code

[dewcrazzy]

Is anyone able to tell if this car is a y88 by the vin code? 2W8728N171173 Looks like a norwood car by the vin, if thats the case it should have the y88 stamped on the cowl tag? There is no gold steering wheel and no gold dash or steering column.

[RENOVATIONS]

Nothing in the VIN will indicate an SE...the 5th digit is probably a "Z" instead of a "2...... "Z" indicates a 400 engine

[brian c]

SOME Y88's have the cowl stamped as Y88, others don't. The build sheet will have a Y88 call out on it.

If you don't have access to the build sheet, the next surest way to find out if you have or are looking at a Y88 is to send the vin off to PHS along with your $$ (I think its about $50 these days) to get the PHS packet on the car if there isn't a build sheet.

[solargold]

Is anyone able to tell if this car is a y88 by the vin code? 2W8728N171173 Looks like a norwood car by the vin, if thats the case it should have the y88 stamped on the cowl tag? There is no gold steering wheel and no gold dash or steering column.

if the car pictured is the one in question, it looks like a 79 model year but VIN says 78. If that is the car then the nose has been changed so nothing is to say the dash bezel, steering column or other wasn't also changed. Looks like PHS is the only way to tell without the build sheet.

[ta78w72]

I have a Van Nuys Y88 and it doesn't have the Y88 call out on the cowl tag.  John007 has a Norwood Y88 which does have the Y88 call out on the cowl tag.

Pull the fuel tank to see if the build sheet is on top.

[dewcrazzy]

The gold one in the pic is my y89. lol
here's pictures of the car for sale, nothing to me seems like a y88

[solargold]

?

[dewcrazzy]

I went to look at the car and the cowl tag had the n for norwood and the y88 on the tag. I started questioning him about the non gold bezel and steering column and he said he bought it that way. Then I started looking more and it did have the gold t-tops and I could tell the actual dash and steering wheel has been painted black. It had a 403 in it, did any y88's come with a 403?

[bobspacin80ta]

I saw that car too and had the same questions.

[solargold]

Guess that shows what people can do to a car that makes everyone second guess. can't say that I have ever paid enough attention to a Y88 interior to remember seeing a black interior and tan column, just knew the column was not black. When I saw your interior pic that pretty much made up my mind it was not a Y88. A 403 would have a K in the VIN not a Z though. I think you listed Z which means 403 is not correct. Is the oil filler tube in the front or oil added through valve cover? I have had people swear their numbers match 79 TATA 4 speed car was a 403 only to look and find no oil filler tube up front. Would think the Y88 came with either motor but no expert there, only know the Y84 cars had either and maybe the 78 Y82.

After looking again I wonder if the interior was completely changed to black. The seats don't look like 78 but more like 80/81 to me

I AM TOTALLY CONFUSED

[dewcrazzy]

It had the oil filler up front, def a 403. The pin stripes on the interior threw me off too. After looking hard I do believe it is a y88 just been hacked so bad they should have left it alone.

[brian c]

Run the vin. The cowl plates are very easy to change out - mine's still sitting at home somewhere and I need to reattach it to the car!

And fwiw - either someone here OR over on TAC mentioned that there are documented Y88's that were ordered with oddball interior colors so its possible (although highly unlikely) that the interior is original to the car.

[Hitman]

That interior is from a 1981 by the fabric in the seats, so it is not from 1978. Yes, the Y88's could come with the Olds 403, but like they said above, your VIN number has a "Z" in it which means the Original engine should be the Pontiac 400.

[4SPEED]

just chalk another one up to the build a bandit theme, of selling you what they say it is.