1974 Chevelle Vehicle Identification Number Plate

1974 VIN Breakdown

Do not confuse the Vehicle Identification Number plate information with that found on the Fisher Body Number plate (trim tag). The series depiction on the VIN  plate does NOT have the meaning as the Fisher Body Number plate.

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the General Motors Division, series, body style, engine type/size, final assembly plant, and sequence number for that plant.

A typical 1974 Chevelle VIN might read: 1E37L4B456789 meaning a Chevrolet (1), Laguna (D) 2-dr sport coupe (37) with a 350-4 (L) engine, 1974 model year and assembled in Baltimore, MD. (B).

First Digit: Division of General Motors
1 - Chevrolet

Second Character: Series Designation
C - Malibu, El Camino
D - Malibu Classic, El Camino Classic
E - Laguna
G - Malibu Classic Estate Station Wagon
H - Monte Carlo

Third and Fourth Digit: Body Style/Model
29 - 4-door sport sedan
35 - 4-door station wagon, 2 seat
37 - 2-door sport coupe
57 - Monte Carlo 2-door sport coupe
80 - 2-door sedan pickup

Fifth Character: Engine size/type
D - 250cid L-6 1-bbl (L22)
H - 350cid V8 2-bbl (L65)
L - 350cid V8 4-bbl (L48)
R - 400cid V8 2-bbl (LF6)
U - 400cid V8 4-bbl (LT4)
Y - 454cid V8 4-bbl (LS4)

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
4- 1974

Seventh Digit (Alpha Designation): Final Assembly Plant
B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
D ~ Doraville, Georgia (after January)
K ~ Kansas City, Missouri
R ~ Arlington, Texas
Z ~ Fremont, California
1 ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Eighth through Thirteenth Digits: Sequential Production Number

The sequential starting number for the 1974 Chevelle was 400001 at all Chevelle assembly plants except the Monte Carlo at Oshawa (600001). Each assembly plant sequenced Chevelles of all series/models without regard to specific series/models except the Monte Carlo at Oshawa. For example, if a series 1G35 station wagon followed a 1E37 Laguna coupe, the sequence number would be one unit higher for the wagon.