Decode VIN and Cowl tag info please.

[Old Man]

Good evening gentlemen, newbie checking in here, 1st post on this board. Joined on behalf of a friend of mine who is less than computer savey but owns several Buicks. Anyway he just bought a 71 Skylark and he would like to know the particulars of the car so here goes. I'm sure he'll have many questions for you, thank you for your help.

71 Skylark 350/350 hard top coupe

VIN# 433271Z105660

Cowl Tag
ST 71-43327 Z 0029 D BDY
TR 100 B80 B90 42 49 PNT
12B 040119 320072

[Old Man]

No help? Is there somewhere else I can go to get this info? Is there a Buick registry that might have this info?

[bob k. mando]

just hang on.

1972 and newer the VIN would code the engine. being a 71 the only way to verify originality is to match the VIN to the EIN.

4 33 27 1 Z 105660
4 = Buick
33 = Skylark, base model
27 = 2dr post
1 = 1971
Z = Fremont, CA
105660 = sequential production #


ST 71-43327 Z 0029 D BDY
ST 71- = 1971
4 = Buick
33 = Skylark, base model
27 = 2dr post
Z = Fremont, CA
0029 D BDY = sequential Body #, seems exceptionally low and i'm not sure what the 'D' is supposed to be

TR 100 = Green vinyl interior
B80 B90 = some sort of option codes, i don't have
42 49 PNT = two tone, Willomist Green and Verdemist Green paint
12B = 2nd week of December production
040119 320072 = unknown

[Old Man]

Thank you Sir, after reading thru several threads in this forum I was hoping you would chime in here. I was just over at his house and he was asking if I'd found anything out. Of course now he wants to determine what's it worth. I told him we'd have to take alot of pics and inspect the car for condition before we ask even ask that. Thanks alot for your help Bob !!!

just hang on.

1972 and newer the VIN would code the engine. being a 71 the only way to verify originality is to match the VIN to the EIN.

4 33 27 1 Z 105660
4 = Buick
33 = Skylark, base model
27 = 2dr post
1 = 1971
Z = Fremont, CA
105660 = sequential production #


ST 71-43327 Z 0029 D BDY
ST 71- = 1971
4 = Buick
33 = Skylark, base model
27 = 2dr post
Z = Fremont, CA
0029 D BDY = sequential Body #, seems exceptionally low and i'm not sure what the 'D' is supposed to be

TR 100 = Green vinyl interior
B80 B90 = some sort of option codes, i don't have
42 49 PNT = two tone, Willomist Green and Verdemist Green paint
12B = 2nd week of December production
040119 320072 = unknown

[Old Man]

I just callled him and read him your response Bob. he has another decode question for you sir. This is on one of his other Buicks, I take it it's the VIN#. 434371Z120822. Thank you again Bob.

[bob k. mando]

Thank you again Bob.



yeah, that's a VIN.

4 34 37 1 Z 120822
4 = Buick
34 = Gran Sport, the Sportwagon also shares this code but obviously the next 2 digits will let us know what it really is
37 = 2dr hardtop coupe
1 = 1971
Z = Fremont, CA
120822 = sequential production #


why's he coming up with all these California cars when you guys are in TX?

[Old Man]

I really don't know to be honest with you. The green one he just bought locally and the other 2 he had before I met him, I just volunteered to help out because he's a friend and he asked me to. He has a white GS and a sunset orange GSX if i remeber correctly, both big blocks. I'm a Camaro guy myself so I can't even tell you what years they are. Thank you again for your help sir.

Edit: The sunset orange car is a GS 455 floor shifted auto with A/C. He said they are all 71's as it's the only year he will buy.

Thank you again Bob.



yeah, that's a VIN.

4 34 37 1 Z 120822
4 = Buick
34 = Gran Sport, the Sportwagon also shares this code but obviously the next 2 digits will let us know what it really is
37 = 2dr hardtop coupe
1 = 1971
Z = Fremont, CA
120822 = sequential production #


why's he coming up with all these California cars when you guys are in TX?