Topic: VIN on shock towers

[Danoh1]

I was just looking at a craigslist car.  No evidence of VIN on either shock tower area. I’ve seen them in the under fender area and on the exposed lip.

 There seemed to be a lot of paint in the area. Took a while to get down to metal.

Did it just get missed on a Monday morning?

[Coralsnake]

Every car left the plant with a VIN

[67gta289]

Repaired with replacement panels?

[Danoh1]

Unlikely repaired.  But possible.  Both front inner panels have been replaced, a long time ago.  There is no evidence either shock tower was removed and replaced.

No evidence of grinding the area down either.  It’s certainly odd to find one like that.

[J_Speegle]

I was just looking at a craigslist car.  No evidence of VIN on either shock tower area. I’ve seen them in the under fender area and on the exposed lip.

 There seemed to be a lot of paint in the area. Took a while to get down to metal.

Did it just get missed on a Monday morning?

Assume that your discussing a Dearborn built built car but you don't mention when the car was built (month or even year?)


If I recall correctly the VINs at least one on the drivers side was not originally stamped on the shock tower but an extension on the inner fender panel - maybe that is what your describing as "under fender area and on the exposed lip." I will look through my pictures to see what I can add to the discussion/investigation

[Danoh1]

Apologies.  72 car.  All are Dearborn, right?  Spring time frame build by the serial number.

Directly in line with the shock tower, when viewed from the fender/tire area.  With the fender on, there is a small ledge or lip poking out.  I have seen *2F123456* stamped here.  I’ve also seen it stamped in the same area but under the fender, not visible with fender on.  This area would not be affected when changing either front or rear apron.

Neither side shows any evidence of a number.  I’m going to take a look again after some paint stripper and scrubbing.

[Danoh1]

Mystery solved.  VIN present on both sides.  Barely there, lots of corrosion. Matches dash and title.  All good.

VIN stamp is on the outboard edge. Attached pic shows my 72 Q code stamping, on the visible portion with fender on.

The tape represents where the missing VIN actually is on the other car.

[J_Speegle]

Mystery solved.  VIN present on both sides.  Barely there, lots of corrosion. Matches dash and title.  All good.

VIN stamp is on the outboard edge. Attached pic shows my 72 Q code stamping, on the visible portion with fender on.

Good news The picture shows an unusual location as you have discovered

I also looked through my collection (not much with the fenders off on a 72)




And some 73 examples

[Danoh1]

Yes, it appears this car has the VIN in the standard location.  my Q code threw me off the scent.  I was thinking it was on that pad in between the two VIN places depicted.

Thanks for the assist!

I’m going to try to clean standard area on My Q code.  Perhaps it is double stamped.  Who knows?