Where is the VIN on the frame of a 1963 Buick Riviera?

[Jerry Ford]

I have a 1963 Buick Riviera. The VIN plate is missing from where it should be near the door hinges on the driver's side. I know it's also on the engine block, but a potential buyer wants a picture of the VIN on the frame. Does anybody know where this is on the frame?

[gungeey]

19 minutes ago, Jerry Ford said:

I have a 1963 Buick Riviera. The VIN plate is missing from where it should be near the door hinges on the driver's side. I know it's also on the engine block, but a potential buyer wants a picture of the VIN on the frame. Does anybody know where this is on the frame?

It's under the hood. Drivers side cowl.

[RivNut]

If the engine is original the VIN is part of the Engine Serial Number but the cowl number is best.

[1965rivgs]

  The original VIN tag should be located on the top of the driver`s side cowl.

 

Tom Mooney

[60FlatTop]

The VIN is stamped on the outside of the left rear frame rail just behind the body mount by the wheelwell.

I will see if I can get a picture of mine.

 

Edited August 11, 2022 by 60FlatTop (see edit history)

[1965rivgs]

4 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

The VIN is stamped on the outside of the left rear frame rail just behind the body mount by the wheelwell.

I will see if I can get a picture of mine.

 

  Sounds like the frame part number and/ or date code

Tom

[Riv Eng]

I think Tom is right - it's a frame number or date code, but not your vehicle Vin. I just got my frame back from blasters and it's printed on the rear passenger, just behind the the wheel arch. 

 

Mine has a numerical code which does not match my vehicle Vin (car is original) followed by "PARISH" and below that is "8" and "63". My Riv is a '64 but it's likely that the frame was pressed together in late '63 for the '64 model year. 

 

[1965rivgs]

Post a pic of your Fisher Body plate which is located on the firewall above the brake booster and we can tell when your body was built.

Tom Mooney

[drhach]

Is it just a myth that vin numbers are stamped on these frames?

[Riv Eng]

Here you go Tom. Tell me what secrets lie in my Fisher Body Plate

Edited August 14, 2022 by Lil-Riv
Photo attachment (see edit history)

[1965rivgs]

On 8/13/2022 at 9:17 PM, Lil-Riv said:

Here you go Tom. Tell me what secrets lie in my Fisher Body Plate

  Your car is a fairly early build, body was built in October of `63, so a 8-63 frame date makes sense.

Tom Mooney

[Paul K.]

Not positive about 1st Gen Rivs so I defer to the experts here, however, your thinking makes sense.  GM stamped a lot of frames with the VIN on the frame rail -  RF on 66 and 67 Cadillacs and LR frame rail on 72 Pontiacs. I mention these vehicles because I owned them. According to research I did for my 72 Grand Prix, GM used an engraver that was a roller type. It was not uncommon for the last few digits to not be as deep or legible as the preceding numbers. A CA CHP officer once told me EVERY vehicle has a VIN stamped SOMEWHERE on the frame. I'm skeptical when someone uses the terns like "EVERY" and "ALWAYS." Law enforcement agencies have books that list the locations of VIN plates and what type of rivets they are attached with plus locations where VINS are stamped on the frame or unibody. 

[Jim Cannon]

On 8/12/2022 at 10:34 PM, Lil-Riv said:

I think Tom is right - it's a frame number or date code, but not your vehicle Vin. I just got my frame back from blasters and it's printed on the rear passenger, just behind the the wheel arch. 

 

Mine has a numerical code which does not match my vehicle Vin (car is original) followed by "PARISH" and below that is "8" and "63". My Riv is a '64 but it's likely that the frame was pressed together in late '63 for the '64 model year. 

 

The number 1353122 is the Buick part number for the frame.

 

Here are all the '63 frame part numbers from the 1963 Master Chassis Parts Book (which I sell scanned on a CD).

 

 

[Riviera63]

On 8/10/2022 at 4:48 PM, Jerry Ford said:

I have a 1963 Buick Riviera. The VIN plate is missing from where it should be near the door hinges on the driver's side. I know it's also on the engine block, but a potential buyer wants a picture of the VIN on the frame. Does anybody know where this is on the frame?

Here is a picture of the VIN tag on my 63. As described earlier, it should be on the driver's side cowl directly above the data plate on the firewall. If a numbers matching car you will find this same number on the engine as Ed illustrated in his post.

 

Bill 

 

 

[RivNut]

For those of you who attended the meet in Harrisburg (Hershey), PA and saw Jason’s 1966 chassis on display, you could see that VIN stamped into the frame.  

[Riv Eng]

2 hours ago, RivNut said:

For those of you who attended the meet in Harrisburg (Hershey), PA and saw Jason’s 1966 chassis on display, you could see that VIN stamped into the frame.  

Where was it located? 

[RivNut]

On the top of the frame; left rear.  

 

If you use this picture to locate the muffler, brake drum, and wheel; you can see the hole in the top of the frame where the number is located.  You'll probably need a lift and a mirror to find it if it isn't layered with dirt.  Remember, this is on a '66.  No guarantees for a 1st generation to be the same.

[Riv Eng]

Thanks, I'll take a look at my '64 frame tonight, and we can settle this 1st gen Vin on Frame dilemma. 

[Riv Eng]

Hi all, 

 

So on the 1st Gen Riviera, the Vin stamp can be found on the topside of the driver's side frame rail, just in front of the center hump. Mine is in line with the transmission support brace. It should match your Vin stamp on the front cowl on the driver's side, which should also match your engine code for a total numbers matching car. 

[Seafoam65]

I'm pretty sure that in the 60's all GM cars had the VIN stamped on the top of the left rear frame rail. My 69 GTO

has the VIN in the same place. The reason it was on the top of the frame rail making it very hard to read is so nobody

could restamp the frame without first removing the body from the frame, making it harder for thieves.

Edited August 18, 2022 by Seafoam65 (see edit history)