Guest 39Time Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Does anyone know where there's a resource to decode the 8 digit VIN number? I'd like to try to find out some more information that only the VIN can provide. It's for my '39 Century Series 60.Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 39time,At one time we had Mr. Dave Corbin as our numbers expert, but he passed away recently, and we have lost a very generous man and a valuable resource. You might try contacting "Mr. Earl", our new moderator for this info.Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Welcome to the forum. You have a nice collection of cars VIN numbers are relevantly new Vehicle Identification Number - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Have a look here http://forums.aaca.org/f165/1931-buick-vin-338713.html http://forums.aaca.org/f165/1939-buick-80-roadmaster-question-338314.html#post1090913 http://forums.aaca.org/topic/203534-1939-buick-80-roadmaster-question/ http://forums.aaca.org/f165/1940-limited-inquiry-338097.html#post1089889 Your car will not a VIN as we know it today It will/should have a - frame number on a plate near the starter motor riveted to the top of the frame - an engine number near the distributor - a data plate on the firewall., Should have 39-4619 (if a 4 door) and have codes for paint & trim If you list and/or photgraph we can decode. The late Dave C could have told you the week it was made and other information We like images and you too can become a '39 team member Edited March 11, 2018 by 1939_Buick fixing links lost with new software (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) The frame and engine serial number will not tell you much. For a 1939 frame number, the first digit is the plant code and the remaining seven digits are a sequential number that should fall into a specific range for 1939. For the engine number, the first digit indicates the car series and the remaining seven digits are a sequential number that should fall into a specific range for 1939. For 1939, these values are: Frame serial number: (see attached PDF document) Engine serial number: (see attached PDF document) On the body tag, the letter (or lack thereof) on the "BODY No" line will indicate the plant the body was built at. For 1939 this is: (see attached PDF document) The body number starts at 1 for each plant for each body type (model/style number). 1939 Buick Decoding Info - all.pdf Edited March 11, 2018 by sean1997 New forum software killed all of the tables (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) The body tag will have the paint and trim codes, here are those lists for 1939: (A "-1" or just an extra 1 after the paint code indicates the optional wheel color was used instead of the standard wheel color.) (see attached PDF document for paint and trim code lists) 1939 Buick Decoding Info - part 2.pdf Edited March 11, 2018 by sean1997 New forum software killed all of the tables (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 That's some nice work there Sean, well done and goodonya for the effort. Welcome aboard 39Time. Always nice to have another '39er around. What information specifically are you looking for ?? If you let us know we may be able to help you out.Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean1997 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Here is a table with model number and style numbers (should be on the body tag) and some other useful information: (see attached PDF document) 1939 Buick Decoding Info - part 3.pdf Edited March 11, 2018 by sean1997 New forum software killed all of the tables (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 39Time Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Thanks to everyone for posting all the great info! Looks like I need to have a closer look at the firewall data plate, maybe snap a pic of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldstudemike Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Got my 39 Special Coupe delivered this week. Am new to Buick's so the above is wonder info.Thanks to all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhar1960 Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 39Time,Did you ever find the specific info you were after ???Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 39Time Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 Thanks Danny, I did find the info with Sean's charts (above). Style No. 39-4619 (Century, four door trunk back, five passenger touring sedan)Trim No. 709 (Taupe Novelty Pattern Cloth)Paint No. 530 (Carlsbad Black)Using the frame number, I also found that the car was built at the Flint, MI plant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gariepy Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I may have a solution. I'll post something here when its working. (probably tomorrow) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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