I need a table showing what the characters of a 1953 Special's serial number mean...does anyone know where I can get one in a hurry?

I don't have that info but why don't you post your numbers, and I am sure someone will help.

The VIN on the title is: 16983149
The VIN on the car is: 16983I49

I don't think that the second number can exist...aren't the last five numbers the car's production number?

The first digit identifies the plant where the car was built. 1=Flint, Mich.

The other digits are the vehicle sequence number, which was carried over from year-to-year. The first 53 Buick built at Flint was #6740001.

All plants did not start off with the same number, and it is not clear how the plants were alloted block of numbers. The numbering system started over in 54 with a new system, so it is not easy to come up with an ending number for 53 Flint production.