anybody know early 50s vin numbers

I bought a 53 buick 4 door a while back but all the emblems are removed the vin is 71234264 i was wondering if anyone knew the model or any other info from this

thanks

That's the serial number. There were no such things a "VIN" numbers until late 60's. If you look on the firewall there is a plate that gives you the style number, paint number etc. This plate will tell you what you have. For example a 4069 is a Special four door sedan. The first numbers 10 (and all 10's) are Chevs, 20's are Pontiacs, 30's are Oldsmobiles, 40's and 50's are Buicks 60's and 70 are Cadillacs. The second numbers 35 is a 6 pass. station wagon, 45 is a nine passenger wagon, 47 is a hardtop, 67 is a convertable. If I remember right a 2 door used to be an 11, coupes were 17 and roadsters were 27. There were some variations over the years but GM used these codes from about 1935.

Things got dicey in '53-'55 when Buick and others began using a "Vehicle Identification Number," though not the "VIN's" adopted in the late-'60's as Tinindian mentioned above. Below are Serial Numbers for '53 Buicks, and the switch to the "new" system for 1954.

For a more legible image, go to this link, then click again;

http://photos.aaca.org/data/506/53_to_54_Buick_Numbers_RB.jpg

Then, on this chart we have the locations where you can find your Serial Number.

The larger image is here, then click again on it;

http://photos.aaca.org/data/500/46_to_55_Serial_No_RB.jpg

Lastly, are the Motor Number locations on this chart.

For the larger view, go below, then click again;

http://photos.aaca.org/data/500/46_to_55_Motor_No_RB.jpg

If all this seems confusing, it bloody well is; see if you can locate the number on the front door hinge post. Bear in mind that they assembled Buicks in all the plants mentioned, so there's a first digit (plant), then your sequential production number. Given the number you listed, we're still not out of the woods.

<span style="font-style: italic">Whew</span>, time for an Excedrin!

TG