I know what the vin #s mean on my car, but I'm not sure how they start the #s on build seq.
For example, mine is 1Q87L8N 578710 (a 78 model)but 79 model is 1Q87L9N 546988.
Do they start numbering these cars at the beginning of the build year, fiscal year, calander year, or maybe when they reach 999999. I'm tring to figure out when my car was built in relation to the other 272,630 camaros built in 1978. I know the date it was built, but just wondering about the rest. Thanks.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Als78z28:
1Q87L8N 578710</font>

In 1978, VIN numbers started at 500001. So your Camaro is the 78,710th out of 272,631. Your number (578710) corresponds to a February build date, which should be listed on your trim tag. Production started in August '77 and ended in August '78

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'71 RS, '80 Z, '94 Z
My Camaros (http://gmz28camaros.homestead.com/gmz28_1.html)
NorthEastern Ohio Camaro Club (http://clubs.hemmings.com/neocc/)

SpltBmpr71 is right. Second Gen Camaros were numbered each year starting with 500000, so the first car would be 500001, and don't forget that each assembly line started with that number, so there is a N500001, and an L500001. Total production was shared most years between the two plants, so it gets a little complicated to figure out exactly where your car stands in the list.

Thanks SpltBmpr71. You are very close on the date. The cowl tags states a 4th week of March build date. How exactly did you know about when it was built? Did you just divide the numbers by 12 months, or is there a code to this? Any way, you answer clears up my production # question. Thanks.

Many years ago, there was a list published that listed production numbers by month. I suppose some day we will have to work with Madmike to get this information listed on his site. On the other hand, it might be best if this information isn't public knowledge because it would help people who want to clone and fake cars. It is nice to have bits of information available like this that prove or disprove the correctness of a car.

The "list" says that for 1978, Norwood produced cars #566818 through #581600 during March of 1978. Your car with #578710 fits in there. Late March, by the numbers.

By the way, your 79 with N546988 appears to fit into January 79 where they produced #544226-#557997. Early January?

Thanks Gary S. Yes, I'd like to have that info published on this site. I think that it would do more good than harm. Some people would use the info. for evil purposes, but most of the people on this site, by my observations, are decent people. It would be nice to be able to verify build dates.

Thanks Split. After 24 years of ownership I now understand my VIN!
My 79 is 678714 built in Jun, and I never could work out how that related to total year production.

The VIN sequence starts over every model year.

Every plant uses the same starting point.

The model years run August to July typically).

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Mike

2002 Trans AM WS6 build #3124 - Pewter
2001 GMC Ext Cab SLT Z71 - Green