What a 1967 Camaro VIN tag tells you

The VIN tag on a 1967 Camaro is a small metal plate, usually found on the driver's side of the dashboard visible through the windshield, or sometimes on the door jamb. It contains a 13-character Vehicle Identification Number that breaks down into specific sections, each one telling you something different about that car — the plant where it was built, the model year, the engine type, and the production sequence.

Unlike modern VINs, which are 17 characters and follow a standardized format across all manufacturers, the 1967 Camaro VIN is shorter and uses Chevrolet's own system. Learning to read it matters if you're verifying authenticity, checking service records, ordering original parts, or researching the car's history before buying or restoring it.

Key Takeaways

  • A 1967 Camaro VIN is 13 characters long and starts with "118" followed by the body style code, engine code, and a six-digit production number.
  • The second and third characters tell you the body style (convertible, coupe, or Z/28) and the fourth character identifies the engine installed at the factory.
  • The last six digits are the sequential production number, which tells you roughly when in the model year the car rolled off the assembly line.
  • The VIN tag itself should be riveted to the car, not welded or glued, and the numbers should be stamped clearly without signs of grinding or re-stamping.

Breaking down the 13-character VIN structure

The first character is always "1" for Chevrolet. The second and third characters together form the series code — "18" for a standard Camaro. The fourth character is the body style: "07" for a coupe, "67" for a convertible, and "27" for the rare Z/28 model. So a VIN starting "1-18-07" is a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro coupe.

The fifth character is the engine code. A "2" means a 250-cubic-inch inline six-cylinder, "H" means a 327-cubic-inch V8, "L" means a 350-cubic-inch V8 (though the 350 was not offered until 1969, so you will not see this on a 1967), and "T" means a 396-cubic-inch big-block V8. This single letter tells you exactly what engine the factory installed.

The sixth character is the model year code. For 1967, it is "7". The seventh character is the assembly plant code — "F" for Flint, Michigan, "S" for St. Louis, Missouri, "Z" for Fremont, California, or "B" for Baltimore, Maryland. The last six digits are the production sequence number, which starts at 100001 and counts up as cars roll off the line.

What the engine code means for your 1967 Camaro

The engine code is critical because it tells you what you are looking at and what parts are correct for that car. The 1967 Camaro came with three engine options: the 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder (code "2"), the 327-cubic-inch V8 in two versions (code "H"), and the 396-cubic-inch big-block V8 (code "T"). The six-cylinder was the base engine, the 327 was the mid-range performance option, and the 396 was the high-performance choice.

If you are restoring the car and want to keep it original, the engine code tells you what to source. If you are buying a car and the seller claims it has a 396 but the VIN shows a "2", that is a red flag — either the engine was swapped at some point, or the VIN tag itself is not original. Swapped engines are not uncommon in Camaros, but knowing the factory engine helps you understand what you are actually buying.

How to spot a VIN tag that has been altered or replaced

An original VIN tag should be riveted to the car, not welded or glued. The rivets should look factory-original — small, evenly spaced, and consistent with the age of the car. If you see fresh welds around the tag or evidence that it has been removed and re-attached, that is a sign the tag may have been replaced or the numbers re-stamped.

The stamped numbers themselves should be clear and consistent in depth. If some numbers are shallow and others are deep, or if you can see grinding marks around certain digits, someone has altered the VIN. This is a serious red flag and may indicate the car has been stolen, salvaged, or involved in fraud. If you are considering buying a 1967 Camaro, inspect the tag closely under good light and feel the surface with your fingers — you can often detect re-stamping by touch.

The location of the tag also matters. On a 1967 Camaro, it should be on the driver's side of the dashboard, visible from outside the car through the windshield. If the tag is in an unusual location or appears to have been moved, ask why before proceeding with a purchase.

Using the VIN to order original parts and verify authenticity

Classic car suppliers and Chevrolet dealers who specialize in vintage parts use the VIN to determine what is correct for your specific car. When you call a parts supplier with your full VIN, they can tell you the exact engine, transmission, interior color, and exterior color that left the factory. This is invaluable if you are restoring the car and want to keep it authentic.

The production sequence number (the last six digits) is also useful for dating the car more precisely. A car with a low sequence number like 100015 was built early in the 1967 model year, while one with 400000 was built late. This matters if you are trying to verify that the car is actually a 1967 or if you are researching when specific features or design changes were introduced.

Assembly plant codes and what they mean

The assembly plant code tells you where the car was built, which can affect value and availability of original documentation. Flint, Michigan (code "F") was the main Camaro assembly plant. St. Louis (code "S") also built Camaros. Fremont, California (code "Z") and Baltimore, Maryland (code "B") built fewer Camaros, so cars from those plants are sometimes considered more desirable by collectors.

The plant code also helps you track down original build sheets and factory records. Some plants kept better documentation than others, and knowing where your car was built can help you locate service bulletins, technical information, or original window stickers that verify the car's original specifications.

What to do if the VIN tag is missing or unreadable

If the VIN tag is missing, damaged beyond reading, or you suspect it has been altered, you have a few options. You can contact a Chevrolet historian or classic car authentication service — organizations like the Camaro Club of America maintain records and can sometimes help verify a car's authenticity through other factory stampings on the engine block, frame, or transmission.

The engine block itself has a casting number and sometimes a date code stamped into it. The frame has identification numbers. The transmission has a code. If the VIN tag is questionable but these other stampings are consistent and original, that is a good sign the car is what it claims to be. However, if you are buying the car and the VIN tag is missing or illegible, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows 1967 Camaros before you commit to the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the "7" in the VIN mean on a 1967 Camaro?

The "7" is the model year code for 1967. Chevrolet used single digits for model years in this era — "6" for 1966, "7" for 1967, "8" for 1968, and so on. This digit appears in the sixth position of the 13-character VIN.

Can I look up a 1967 Camaro VIN online?

Standard VIN lookup tools are designed for 1981 and newer vehicles, so they will not work with a 1967 Camaro. Your best option is to contact the Camaro Club of America, a Chevrolet historian, or a classic car authentication service with the full VIN and any other factory stampings you can find on the engine or frame.

What if the engine code on the VIN tag does not match the engine in the car?

This usually means the engine was replaced at some point, either by a previous owner or during a restoration. This is common in classic cars and is not necessarily a problem, but it does mean the car is not original. If you are buying the car, ask the seller when and why the engine was swapped and whether they have documentation of the work.

Is a 1967 Camaro with a welded VIN tag worth less?

A welded or replaced VIN tag raises questions about the car's history and authenticity, which can affect value and insurance. Before buying a car with a questionable VIN tag, have it inspected by a specialist and ask for documentation of any restoration work or engine swaps that may explain the tag's condition.