#1  
Old 11-19-2018, 03:20 PM
Red74Goat's Avatar
Red74Goat Red74Goat is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 72
Default 1974 GTO VIN number decoding

When evaluating a possible 1974 GTO for purchase, the prospective buyer can do some quick due diligence to see if it is a factory produced '74 GTO or a "tribute" or "clone". The first seven digits of the VIN # can give you a pretty good indication before you ever get to ordering PHS documentation on the vehicle.

1st digit should be 2 for Pontiac
2nd character should be Y or Z for base or custom Ventura
3rd & 4th digits should be 17 or 27 for hatchback or coupe
5th character will likely* be B for 350 ci 200 HP engine
6th digit should be 4 for 1974 model year
7th character is the assembly plant (W= Willow Run, MI, L=Van Nuys, CA)
8th - 13th digits are the sequential build # for a specific car

Ex. 2Z17B4W??????.

I have had a 1974 GTO in my possession since it was born in 1973 and my VIN is 2Z17B4....... I know a K for the 5th position is listed in some literature as the 350ci 4bbl, dual exhaust for 1974 Pontiacs, but I haven't seen a 1974 GTO VIN that doesn't have the B engine code in the 5th position, but perhaps there were some produced with a K in the 5th position of the VIN.

Hope this helps anyone to be able to do a quick VIN decoding to see if the car they are looking at is a factory '74 GTO.

  #2  
Old 11-22-2018, 07:15 PM
importsmasher's Avatar
importsmasher importsmasher is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Western Tennessee
Posts: 1,266
Default

I almost passed on a real 74 GTO many years ago because the 5th digit was a B, and the literature I had said it should be a K. Fortunately, a little further research convinced me the B was correct....

Importsmasher

__________________
Scott Baggiore

66 GTO convertible 389/4 speed (parents bought new)
73 Firebird Formula 400/4 speed
74 GTO 455/4 speed
74 Grand Am
  #3  
Old 11-23-2018, 09:21 AM
Slick's Avatar
Slick Slick is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 323
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Red74Goat View Post
When evaluating a possible 1974 GTO for purchase, the prospective buyer can do some quick due diligence to see if it is a factory produced '74 GTO or a "tribute" or "clone". The first seven digits of the VIN # can give you a pretty good indication before you ever get to ordering PHS documentation on the vehicle.

1st digit should be 2 for Pontiac
2nd character should be Y or Z for base or custom Ventura
3rd & 4th digits should be 17 or 27 for hatchback or coupe
5th character will likely* be B for 350 ci 200 HP engine
6th digit should be 4 for 1974 model year
7th character is the assembly plant (W= Willow Run, MI, L=Van Nuys, CA)
8th - 13th digits are the sequential build # for a specific car

Ex. 2Z17B4W??????.

I have had a 1974 GTO in my possession since it was born in 1973 and my VIN is 2Z17B4....... I know a K for the 5th position is listed in some literature as the 350ci 4bbl, dual exhaust for 1974 Pontiacs, but I haven't seen a 1974 GTO VIN that doesn't have the B engine code in the 5th position, but perhaps there were some produced with a K in the 5th position of the VIN.

Hope this helps anyone to be able to do a quick VIN decoding to see if the car they are looking at is a factory '74 GTO.
Thanks for the info. I looked this up once I seriously suspected the fake. My own stupidity for believing a seller and buying sight unseen. It was advertised in Hemmings, the owner was knowledgeable, and I just didn't check. Since GTO was an option, not a model, VIN style, it never occurred to me that the engine digit was unique to GTO and therefore a sure indicator of the "real deal". Duh! Sometimes my own stupidity even amazes me.

That said, I'm looking at this as a positive thing: no need to preserve the column shift automatic as a quirky option. Time to find a complete floor shift manual transmission setup. That American Powertrain TKO600 is looking mighty attractive, if I can find the funds.

Its' also no longer necessary to save the 350, since it's not the VIN number original engine. It is a real 200HP, screw-in stud 350 though. I assume it has little more than scrap value.

Any advice on locating a stick shift setup?

Do I need a blowshield if I only run the car on the street and NEVER powershift?

Stuart

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:02 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017