Does anyone know where to look for a Kars vin on a hipo C-4? I've scoured the thing and see casting numbers but no vin, and it might not have any, just don't know....
Thanks.
hipoC-4 vin
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Haven't seen one on a 66-67 C4 - only 4 speeds or on 68-up automatic cars
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anyone else? this is important for those of us with original automatic K codes.
Thanks! -
I the 1980's I was employed by a Mustang restoration shop in Denver, CO; we did complete restorations on three all original Hertz cars and none of them had a VIN stamped on the. When I had my own shop later on I converted two automatic GT350's to four speed tranny's and neither one of them had a VIN stamping either.
Joe
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If it helps the Federal Auto thief training books of the period does not list that application as receiving VINs. California handbooks of the same period agree
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It would appear that the production lines were set up to install the 4 speed, as the default trans, and the hipo automatic was a " special order " option and was not stamped when the engine was stamped. anyone agree or disagree?
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Quote from dunc289
It would appear that the production lines were set up to install the 4 speed, as the default trans, and the hipo automatic was a " special order " option and was not stamped when the engine was stamped. anyone agree or disagree?
Never heard a worker refer to any parts as the "default" part nor were the lines set up to install one type of trans more than another (allot more cars that year likely had automatics installed IMHO) so would have to disagree.
At that point in time (1966) the VIN stamping was to reduce thief and believe they didn't think that too many of these cars were going to be stolen and striped of their automatic trans. If you notice the practice that year was to stamp only high performance engines and 4 speed transmissions
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If the engine was mated to a 4 speed and then both stamped, why were the automatics not mated to the engines and then when the engine was stamped, was NOT the C-4 stamped too? or, if they were not mated before install they went to a lot of trouble to stamp a engine and then go to the trans sitting elsewhere to stamp the exact number on it. I'm trying to figure what happened when stamped... what makes sense? anyone, ideas? anyone KNOW?
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- Official Post
This is purely a theory on my part based on my personal observations of the many engine and transmission VIN stamping that I have seen on our 65 and 66 Hipo cars over the years. I have not yet observed a 67 Hipo so I will not address those cars. I know that I am really going out on a limb with this and I certainly welcome opposing views and reasons for them. It really appears to me that the VINs were stamped after the engine and transmission were already in the car. They are totally accessable and readable from underneath the car. Starting in 1968 where a federal law went into effect requiring VIN stamps on all engine and transmission combinations, the stamping was made on the top of the transmission and either on the top of the block above the area where the bellhousing meets or on the rear face of the block towards the firewall on Ford engines. I know that Chevrolet stamped their transmissions on the top as well however their engines are stamped with the VIN on the front ID pad or down by the oil filter on the block. Chevrolet started VIN stamps as early as 1962 on high performance engines and 4 speeds. They also VIN stamped lower performance engines that originally came with 4 speeds. The reason the the VINs were stamped in generally inaccessible areas starting in 1968 is to make them tougher to change. Most of those VINs are only readable with a mirror and a light. in addressing the C4 VIN stamp, starting in 1968 they were difinitely on the top side of the transmission main case. In 1966 it is probable that the C4 did not get a VIN as it was really not considered to be a high theft item like a 4 speed was.
-Fred-
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