[Howie]

I'm lookingat at 65 GTO post car. Here's the first part of the vin: 237275P

Is it a real GTO post or not? Thanks!

[Howie]

I'm lookingat at 65 GTO post car. Here's the first part of the vin: 237275P

Is it a real GTO post or not? Thanks!

[Tom Vaught]

I am sorry but this is far too little info to answer your question.

If the car was built in Pontiac or Kansas City it should have a 824M or 824P in the front of
the number which would at least tell you it was a V-8 car in the beginning of its life.

It also may have a "5N" designation on the firewall data plate too. The "majority" of Pontiac/Kansas City cars have this but no one
can be 100% sure and I am not going to tell you otherwise.

Best deal would be to send the vin number into Pontiac Historical Society and have them research your VIN for GTO documentation.

Cheap for the money saved.

Tom V.

[mike nixon]

phs the thing, it's the only sure way to know.

cheap insurance.

mike

[rexus31]

Howie - VIN's on '65's did not have designation of what size engine the car came with. Here's how this portion of your VIN decodes:
First Digit: Represents division of GM. 2=Pontiac
Second and Third Digits: Represents the series. 37=LeMans
Fouth and Fifth Digits: Represents the body type. 27=2-Dr. Post Coupe
Sixth Digit: Represents the model year. 5=1965.
Seventh Digit: Represents the assembly plant. P=Pontiac, MI.
You really can't tell from the VIN if it's real or not. Don't be worried about the LeMans decode of the VIN as the GTO was still an option on the LeMans in '65. You can possibly tell by the firewall data plate. If you see a 5N on the ACC line, it is more than likely a real GTO. Cars built at the Pontiac and Kansas City plants were usually stamped with this accessory code. With that said, you can buy reproduction data plates with any info you want on them. If I were you, I would pick up the P.H.S. info just to be on the safe side. That way if it is a real Goat, you have the documentation and if it's not, a little cash saved you from getting ripped off.

[bigpop]

Howie,get the PHS papers.The 824 Tom mentions is for 64 GTO,not 65's bigpop

[RamAirJohn]

I have yet to see real '64/'65 GTO built at PON or KAN without the "5N" code on the Trim Tag.
Likewise, I have yet to see a LeMans with "5N".

No sense spending $35 for a BH from PHS if there is no "5N". Check with Pete McCarthy as I worked with him in the 80s collecting documentation and Trim Tag codes to confirm this.

[gto65]

I have seen 65 gtos with vin tags rivited on with round stainles rivits. I have seen 65 gtos vin plate rivited on with fluted rivits. I can vouch 100% that both these cars were NEVER tampered with. What gives with this difference. What cars came with non-fluted rivits. was it only early 65's or was it from a specific assembly plant in a finite time period. This issue has never been addressed in all of the 30 years I have been involved with the hobby. Interested in any feed back on this one.

[gtoric]

The eighth digit in the VIN will tell you if the original engine was a 6 cylinder or 8 cylinder. 1-5 = 8 cylinder; 6-8 = 6 cylinder.

[61-63]

Regarding the rivits it is well documented that the various assembly plants did things differently, used parts from different suppliers, and ran out of the "old" components at different times and thus started using the "new" components at different stages in the production year. My main interest is '61/'62 full size, not GTOs, but only one production year separates a '62 Grand Prix from a '64 GTO and I doubt that things changed much during that year.