Non- matching cowl and VIN tags

[Loren At 65GS]

Bought a '65 Skylark parts car out of Kansas. While doing some dismantling I noticed the cowl tag model number doesn't match the VIN tag.
The VIN shows it as a v6 car while the cowl tag shows it as a v8 car.

Both tags show no sign of tampering. Just thought it is interesting.

 Loren

[Loren At 65GS]

Cowl tag  and VIN tag pictures

[elagache]

Dear Loren and mid-60s Buick detectives . . . . .

Bought a '65 Skylark parts car out of Kansas. While doing some dismantling I noticed the cowl tag model number doesn't match the VIN tag.
The VIN shows it as a v6 car while the cowl tag shows it as a v8 car.

Both tags show no sign of tampering. Just thought it is interesting.

You are correct, it does not appear to be the result of either tag having been disturbed.  So wouldn't it have to be a mistake at the factory?  Obviously it must be very rare, but is it possible?

Curious minds want to know . . . . .

Edouard

[Loren At 65GS]

Stuff happens?

Also came across something else that I've not seen before.
It appears to have had a factory rear speaker. The wire was under the sound deadener material on floor and it still had the protective metal cover under the back seat.

Loren

[GranSportSedan]

this was a salesman's trick back in 65-67. they would order a V6 car and add the V8 option to it. it was cheaper to get a V8 equipped car this way than it was to order a V8 car. my current 67 special has a V6 vin and a V8 cow tag. I have had a few specials with this exact scenario

[gssizzler]

Also has the 5 o in the codes!? Factory ac car two

[Brian]

Loren--if you are interested in selling the cover that goes over the speaker wire under the rear seat, I am interested in it.  I added the rear speaker to my car, and the 4-dr Skylark I took it out of did not have the cover over the wire. 

[Loren At 65GS]

"this was a salesman's trick back in 65-67. they would order a V6 car and add the V8 option to it. it was cheaper to get a V8 equipped car this way than it was to order a V8 car. my current 67 special has a V6 vin and a V8 cow tag. I have had a few specials with this exact scenario"

  Wasn't aware of that type of foolery , but this had the v6 by all other indications.  The motor was removed but some parts are in the trunk and the A/C has the vacuum switch that was used on v6 cars only.

"Also has the 5 o in the codes!? Factory ac car two"

Good catch Jon, it did have A/C. A couple of things may come in use for the little v6 post Skylark I have. The rest will be up for sale.

 Loren

"Loren--if you are interested in selling the cover that goes over the speaker wire under the rear seat, I am interested in it.  I added the rear speaker to my car, and the 4-dr Skylark I took it out of did not have the cover over the wire.  "

To avoid issues with this thread, I'll have a post in for sale area referring to parts. 

[Brian]

Sounds good Loren.  If it had a V6, should also have a 3.08 gear in the rear axle vs the 2.78 that would be behind a 300 V8. 

[Loren At 65GS]

Sounds good Loren.  If it had a V6, should also have a 3.08 gear in the rear axle vs the 2.78 that would be behind a 300 V8.

Haven't gotten that far yet to figure out the gear ratio.

 Loren

[GranSportSedan]

my current 67 special V.I.N is 435177Z which decodes as a V6 special deluxe, my cowl tag shows model 43617 which decodes as a special deluxe V8

[Loren At 65GS]

Here I thought I had something Special. LOL

Loren

[elagache]

Dear GranSportSedan, gssizzler, Loren, Brian, and mid-60s Buick fans,

this was a salesman's trick back in 65-67. they would order a V6 car and add the V8 option to it. it was cheaper to get a V8 equipped car this way than it was to order a V8 car. my current 67 special has a V6 vin and a V8 cow tag. I have had a few specials with this exact scenario

Uh, why would GM be so "not very bright" as to make it possible to get a car that was essentially identical at a lower cost than ordering it "directly."

By 1965, GM was as good a business as there was in the United States.  If GM's bean counters weren't able catch this sort of nonsense . . . . well, I suppose GM got the fate it deserved!

Edouard

[Loren At 65GS]

Also has the 5 o in the codes!? Factory ac car two

This is what I can tell it had so far:
A/C ,2 speed wiper and washer, automatic, wheel opening moldings, wide reveal trim, tinted glass, rear speaker and convenience package.
Don't know about steering or brakes. Both were removed prior to my possession. May be parts or clues in trunk.

 Loren

[GranSportSedan]

Dear GranSportSedan, gssizzler, Loren, Brian, and mid-60s Buick fans,

this was a salesman's trick back in 65-67. they would order a V6 car and add the V8 option to it. it was cheaper to get a V8 equipped car this way than it was to order a V8 car. my current 67 special has a V6 vin and a V8 cow tag. I have had a few specials with this exact scenario

Uh, why would GM be so "not very bright" as to make it possible to get a car that was essentially identical at a lower cost than ordering it "directly."

By 1965, GM was as good a business as there was in the United States.  If GM's bean counters weren't able catch this sort of nonsense . . . . well, I suppose GM got the fate it deserved!

Edouard

i'm guessing that there were thing in the V8 package that were not included if you ordered a V6 car equipped with a V8 option. for example a side view mirror was an option in 1965 as was carpeting. tinted glass, radio and a host of other items.