Need Help Verifying '58 Fleetwood VIN

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

Greetings all--

I've found what appears to be a really great '58 60 Special and have put money down on her.  If all goes well, I'll be picking her up on August 3.

I need help verifying the VIN.  The owner has sent me an e-mail indicating the VIN is 58MOXXXXX (where the x's represent the remaining numbers). 

He has shown the fourth digit as "O" (oh), versus "0" (zero).  Everything I've read indicates this fourth digit should be a number (in this case, a zero), because this is the production sequence number.  The last six digits of my '59 VIN are all numerals...

I've pointed this out to the seller, asked him what his title shows, and asked him to verify the stampings on the frame and engine (haven't heard back yet).  Of course verifying the VIN is critical.  I sent him the attached photo to help him in locating the VIN stampings on the frame and engine. 

Am I correct?  Should the fourth digit on a '58 be a number (in this case, zero) rather than a letter?

As always, I appreciate everyone's help!

Ralph

[Jeff Wilk]

Ralph, Ive owned 5 of these along with 4 other model '58 Cadillacs over the years and that character has always been a number.

Good luck!!

Jeff

[Walter Youshock]

The only letter in your vin is the M that denotes it a Sixty Special.

Good luck with the purchase.

[wbdeford]

Yes, that spot in the VIN can only be a zero or a one.  Over 80% of them will be a zero, as there were less than 122,000 '58s built.

[tpowel2]

Ralph, Please post pictures when you take delivery!  Can't wait to see it, I too am in the market for one in the near future!

[Walter Youshock]

1958 60 special production was 12,000 units--half of the 1957 output of the same model.  Today, you see 3 '58s for every '57 60 special.  Their survival rate is as impressive as the car itself.  Much like the Eldorado Brougham, many survived.

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

Thanks everyone!

I heard from the owner a little while ago.  The fourth character is indeed a zero.  He sent me a picture of the VIN on the title--it is definitely a zero.

So far, I've only seen pictures and been in contact with the seller via phone and e-mail.  I live in New Braunfels, Texas and the car is in Virginia.  She looks and sounds very good, but the final proof will be when I see her in person. 

We're leaving next Friday to go pick her up.  After a day or two with a mechanic, I'm going to drive her back to South Texas.  Fortunately, my Brother-in-Law lives in Richmond, VA and is a bigger old car guy than I am.  He has me lined up with a couple of his favorite old car mechanics to give her the once-over.

If all works out, I'll have her home by the weekend of  August 8.  I'll post pictures.

Thanks again for everyone's help.  I just love these little car adventures.  ...A big reason I love the old car hobby.

Ralph

[Walter Youshock]

Post pictures and a detailed list of options, or at least the body plate so we can decipher how the car left Detroit.

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

Attached is a picture of the body plate and a few pictures of the car.

She left the factory with:

Trim: 60, Silver-Black Calcutta, Ivory Bolsters and Trim
Paint: 18-12, Camelot Gray body and Alpine White top

Accessories:  EHY, E-Z Eye Glass, Heater, Posture Seat

I believe it also has Equipment Group 2, because it has fog lights.

She has been repainted in what appears to Gleneagles Green, which is a gorgeous color.  The interior has been redone in the correct pattern, but the cloth is not correct.

That's what I can tell from the body plate.  Do you see anything else?

Ralph

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

Oops.  Here's the body plate and another couple of pictures.

Ralph

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

I'm obviously "attachment challenged."  Here's a picture from the front.

Ralph

[Walter Youshock]

Great looking car.  That color is closer to Peacock.  Gleneagles green was an Eldorado color and not as teal as this.

[Ralph Williams, CLC # 18472]

Yeah.  I was thinking the color might be Peacock, but in the pictures the color looks a little lighter than the Peacock Green sample on the color chart I have.  I'll know for certain when I can put my color samples up against the car in brighter light. 

In any event, whatever the color is called, I really like it.  But, most importantly, my wife, Mary, absolutely loves it!  :-)

Ralph

[tpowel2]

It looks great, I hope it works out, best of luck!