Help assembling VIN number - 72 C10

[Kidder]

I looked at the VIN deciphering FAQ already but I thought I'd ask for the forum's help anyway.

My grandfather had a 1972 Chevrolet C 10. I only have the last five digits of the VIN (found from an old insurance renewal form). I'm trying to reconstruct the VIN number so I can try and locate the vehicle to see if I can purchase it (or to see if it's still even around).

Here's what I know:

1972 C10
Regular cab, long bed
Two wheel drive
V-8 (I think)
It was purchased in Kentucky, I think, but I have no idea where it was assembled. It's colors were two tone tan (top/bottom, white in the middle).


If someone thinks they could help me try to locate it if we get the VIN number partially completed, let me know.

Edit: I think the number is CE142?(last five of VIN) assuming it was a V-8. I will ask my uncle tomorrow if it was indeed a V-8 which I'm almost positive that it is.

[Unionwelder]

I believe that number would be cce142 then followed by the last five of the vin, assuming it is a chevy and not a gmc then it would be tce142...
All that portion of the vin tells you is that it is a 2wd v8 halfton pickup built in 72. Pretty standard stuff,if you go by those digits you'll be on a wild goose chase hunting down most of the trucks built that year, including mine.hate to be a downer bubba but the last five digits are the ones you'll need to find the truck.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Unionwelder

I believe that number would be cce142 then followed by the last five of the vin, assuming it is a chevy and not a gmc then it would be tce142...
All that portion of the vin tells you is that it is a 2wd v8 halfton pickup built in 72. Pretty standard stuff,if you go by those digits you'll be on a wild goose chase hunting down most of the trucks built that year, including mine.hate to be a downer bubba but the last five digits are the ones you'll need to find the truck.

I have the last five digits. I just didn't post them. I had been looking for years for the vin number of his truck and found an old insurance renewal form in a box in my grandfather's old house that had the last five digits.

The only digit I DON'T have is where it was made.

So, it would be CCE142?1##### where the ? is where it was made and the ##### are the last five digits.

Where I got the breakdown info: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/Chevyear.html

[Bigdav160]

If this vehicle hasn't been registered, in say, the last ten years it probably won't be in the system.

I went to register year-of-manufacture plates for my '72 Corvette and it wasn't in the system any longer. I had to bring in my Texas title so they could re-enter it into their database.

[Kidder]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

If this vehicle hasn't been registered, in say, the last ten years it probably won't be in the system.

I went to register year-of-manufacture plates for my '72 Corvette and it wasn't in the system any longer. I had to bring in my Texas title so they could re-enter it into their database.

I have no clue if it has been. That's what I'm trying to find. It should be in Kentucky, that's all I know.

So, do I have the VIN format correct?

CCE142?1XXXXXX where the question mark is what I don't know. The XXXXX are the last five of the VIN.

[Keith Seymore]

Your analysis is correct:

CCE142?123456 (or whatever the sequential portion was).

Truck assembly plants in 1972 were:

B = Baltimore (Chevelle, El Camino, Monte Carlo, pickup)
F = Flint - pickup and Blazer/Suburban
J = Janesville - pickup
U = Lordstown (van only)
V = Pontiac - pickup
1 = Oshawa - pickup

Seems like Fremont was, too, so not sure why it is not shown on the VIN card (assembly code Z).

Vehicles were distributed to the assembly plant roughly by geography but not soley; unique RPO content or workload leveling could send the order to a more distant plant that was not intuitive. So - your missing character could be an B, F, J, V or 1.

Keep in mind the VINs between plants were not coordinated, so you might get a "hit" on a real VIN but it does not guarantee it is your truck.

Said differently, any or all of the following trucks could have existed at one time:
CCE142B123456
CCE142F123456
CCE142J123456
CCE142V123456
CCE1421123456
CCE142Z123456


Attached below is the VIN decoder that I used; we used to carry a plastic version of these around in our pockets (along with our pocket protectors) in the assembly plant when you truck was built.

http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard72.pdf

K

[Kidder]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I wish I would have found that insurance card years ago.

So, does anyone here have the capability to lookup a VIN for me and try the different location codes to see if we can find the truck? OR, is there a reliable website that I can input the VIN number (I will try every combo for the build location) to get the info? I'm willing to pay, of course.

[Unionwelder]

Maybe your local tax office? They used to charge you to search a vin but I'm not sure with the confidentiality laws nowadays

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Kidder

Thanks everyone for the replies. I wish I would have found that insurance card years ago.

So, does anyone here have the capability to lookup a VIN for me and try the different location codes to see if we can find the truck? OR, is there a reliable website that I can input the VIN number (I will try every combo for the build location) to get the info? I'm willing to pay, of course.

Not that I am aware of.

I have a GM database for "modern" vehicles but it does not go back that far.

I think the service/dealership guys will be in the same situation.

K

[71 super]

Keith you forgot Atlanta "A"

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 71 super

Keith you forgot Atlanta "A"

Yes, thank you. It wasn't on the VIN card for some reason.

Bruceman1968 and I are having an offline discussion trying to reconcile the known plants (truck only) vs the documentation.

K

[flychucker1]

I have something odd on my 71 c10. The title says it is a 1971, but the vin is CCS142BXXXXXX. Has anyone ever seen this? Thank.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by flychucker1

I have something odd on my 71 c10. The title says it is a 1971, but the vin is CCS142BXXXXXX. Has anyone ever seen this? Thank.

Looks like a '72 VIN to me.

Could be:
a) Typo on the title
b) VIN swap
c) Cab swap
d) other?

K