way ot vin number decoding -62 ss impalla

this is a shot in the dark, but i might get lucky one of the guys i work with just bought a 1962 ss impalla, it is a real ss special trim, 4 speed manuel trans factory buckets and center councel, positrac rear end, now the sticky part, this car is wearing original style 409 fender badging [ we understand it could have picked those up at any time] but it has a small block in it, the seller, [not the original owner], says to his knowledge the car has always had a small block does anybody know of a web site where we can decode the vin number on this car, car is original and guy has plans to restore it original, [ no low rider junk] but id just hate to think he lucked onto a original ss409 and nobody knows it

Try gm vin decoder.
Frank

I am not sure if you can tell 100% by the VIN#!! I know some of the cars, the only way to tell for sure is by the build sheet. Some engine combos in SS and non ss were different options!! You may be able to obtain an original build sheet from the VIN from a Chevy historic society place. I know Pontiac has one that I have used. It does cost a few bucks but well worth it.

you can also check the numers stamped into the block deck surface in front of the pass side head, this will tell you what the engine is actually out of. Dad's 65SS pala has the 327 with 370hp, was told it was a vette engine not pala, double check the numbers and in fact it was the pala engine.

this site seems to be the best it has a $3.95 cost for complete data.
Anyway it said my Ranger was a 1997 so it works.
Walt
Vin Decoder site

Here's info on the first five numbers of the VIN.
Can't help with the rest.

SS package came with: swirl-pattern body side moldings, SS emblems on rear fenders and deck-lip, SS hub-caps, locking center console, and grab bar on passenger side (like the GTOS had).

First number is the model year - i.e. 2

Next four for a 1962 Impala:

1735 for 6 cylinder wagon
1739 for 6 cylinder hardtop
1745 for 6 cylinder wagon
1747 for 6 cylinder 2 door
1767 for 6 cylinder convertible
1769 for 6 cylinder 4 door sedan
1835 for 4 dr V8 station wagon
1839 for 4 dr V8 sports sedan
1845 for V8 station wagon 1800
1847 for 2 dr V8 hardtop 1800
1867 for 2 dr V8 convertible 1800
1869 for V8 Sedan 4 dr 1800

thanks guys ill try the site tommorrow after i get the vin

Seems like every small block is a vette engine.

My '62 SS serial # was 21847S219088. First digit is the year, next 4 are the body model, The 'S' I believe indicates super sport, and the rest is the car number. Mine was white w/red interior, 300hp 327, factory 4spd optional 2,54 first gear, b/w T-10 with 3.08 open rear end. As far as the 409 emblems, it would be hard to tell. Chances are that someone put them on. '61 Super Sports were a dealer installed option. '62 was the first year for true factory installed SS options. My car also had a tag on the drivers side firewall that gave paint codes & a couple other things. You might want to check it to see if someone's changed the colors. It might be an indication of a true factory car or not.

You cannot tell much from the VIN. You need the body tag to decode how the car was equiped. S on the VIN does NOT stand for SS trim, that means it was built at the St. Louis plant.

One clue--a big block V8 car only came with heavy duty suspension that was pretty stiff. If it has that spongy mushy kind of ride it was a small block V8.

Body tag is under the hood on the passenger side firewall. Get those alpha codes and post them. I can decifer most of them for free--Foggy

It was my understanding that the high performance engines were called Corvette engines at one time.I have a 350 out of a 66 Caprice that showed in the parts book and also the dealers ID book that it was called a Corvette engine,300 HP

Great find! My first car was a 63 Impala SS. That one had a 283 in it.

(quoted from post at 02:03:03 02/09/10) Seems like every small block is a vette engine.

Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth!!!

As far as I can see, the only engines that really deserve that tag are those that were available exclusively in a Corvette and no other model. I intend to exclude those that were available in a Corvette but also available in other cars...nothing makes those unique to a Corvette. An example is the 375HP/327 Fuel Injected engine. NOT an example: 300HP/327 since you could get those in just about any Chevy.

Must be an out of state car as most 1961-1964 Bel Air's and Impalas in the state of NM were turned into POS low riders in the late 60's and early 70's. What a shame.

This website should have the info. your looking for:

http://www.348-409.com/vindecode.html

Amen to a Great find , nuthin' like having a big Doll Baby to Pamper.. LOL ... Back in 1964 , neighbor went Air Force to Anchorage Alaska, He had a white 1964 SS/409/4 sp.... and a parking garage fell on it during the earthquake ,, suffered minimal damage due to timber configuration and careful salvge work , AMAZING , skeleton for top had to be exchanged , and some paint work , But It was fixed Good as New,.. Insurance co , said it would had been a for -sure total if it were a hardtop,. Loved the way the dual radio anttenas looked on that SS ,. Ff to 1973 10th grade ,just got my permit, I agreed to buy for $600 (MY OWN MONEY ), the shop teachers Red /white convertible top & interior 1966 IMPALA SS,spinners and snow griptires LOL,327/4v/powerglide with 49,000 original miles. AWESOME CAR.seats and top had minimal weathered tears . BUT , DAD said NO ! , stunned Me!!!, .. shop teacher was a great Guy ,and we both figured in time Dad would give in , ,since it was my own $$$ .. but Dad would not allow it , and I respected My Dad ,.. after a month, the teacher sold it to another kid who soon wrecked it , dam !.. Today in that same condition that 66 SS would be worth over 30,000 as is,..in later years around 1985 I found a ragged 1964 SS convertible for a 1000, elected to buy a just as ragged 1969 XL 500/429/4V /automatic for a project car ,Son and I redone it,white/gold trim /maroon top and seats ,. I gave it to my son on his 25th birthday, beautiful car ... I still have the beautiful 69 Marquis Convertible (ALL original black ) that I bought in 1974 , the cars are a cousin pair and always make a statement about American Abundant Life ... . THANX .. will check the vin link for my 1958 chevy 283 grain truck ...

Does the car have another SS409 chrome plate on the trunk lid also?
If that one is on there then I would say you have a true 409. Those plates were extremely rare and I don't know if they have ever been reproduced. AT one time they were going for a little south of $200. I doubt someone would have ponied up big bucks to put that on a small block car.

Gordo

Free chance....on some"vintage"vehicles,it was not uncommon to find a copy of the "build sheet"tucked" up under the front seat springs on passenger side...generally very brittle from age.

If you are interested I know where there is a 409 that was taken out of a 64SS. It is NOT junk. It has factory two fours with original factory air cleaner & original factory cast iron headers. It has been stored correcly in a moisture free building with oil in the cylinders. If you are interested get ahold of me but DON"T expect it to be cheap. Gerald

its out of north carolina, your right you wont find any in these parts higher than the curb its a shame

left front fender badge, blown up for better detail , rear deck lid chrome is missing car is out of north carolina looks right as far as somebody didnt put them on there last week car has been in storage since late 70's according to the seller, home today, but will keep on investigating.. even if its a small block car probably 327 its still neat and THIS one wont be low rided lol

Hello ericlb,
if my memory is not failing me, i would say that the 409 was first introduces with the 1963 model year.
Guido.

eric-suggest you might find some interesting stuff at http://www.superchevy.com/features. According to them the 409 was available in 1961, and there were 18 62's made with aluminum front sheet metal. Seems Dad saw 1 at a dealer "showing" in late 62. I had '62 Bel Air, first SS was '64/327/4spd/black/black/chrome

Don't know much about the vin number stuff, but this thread sure brought back memories. I bought a used '62 Impala SS with 327 w/AT back in '66. The car was silver and I put chrome wheels on it and it sure looked purty. I traded it off in '68 for a new Ply. Roadrunner with 383 engine and 4 speed Hurst, I sure wish I had the SS yet but I do have the Roadrunner yet.