[Red74Goat]

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.