1972 CADILLAC CARIBOU

[Marooncarab]

I am selling a 1972 Cadillac Caribou on EBay (or private sale) and have 3 Caribou emblems that were not attached to the car.  Can anyone tell me the location and mounting method for these emblems. Thank you for your assistance.

[Tim Pawl CLC#4383]

Regarding the mounting of Caribou emblems... they were different depending on the year. I owned a 1974 Caribou, the identical cast Caribou plates as you show were mounted on a stainless steel backing plate , the pins for the "Caribou" plate protruded through the backing plate  and fit into the holes on the rear quarter panels where the script name "Coupe deVille" was removed from the body. The "Caribou" nameplate being shorter than the original nameplate required the backing plate to be cover all the holes.  My Caribou had a little panels in the fiberglass bed on the sides at the rear that allowed access to that area for attaching the plate and accessing wiring harness etc.  I have also seen just the "Caribou" nameplate installed in the front quarter panels on other earlier years.   Tim Pawl CLC#4383

[Marooncarab]

Tim,

Thank you taking the time to answer my question. It was extremely helpful.

Bill

[35-709]

Here is the emblem on the fender of my '73 and on the tailgate.

[Marooncarab]

Tim,

Since you were so helpful on my previous question, I have another question for you. I am trying to change the title of the 72 Caribou. When I went to get the title changed they obviously check the VIN number. In my case the VIN # on the dash was easy. They need to find a 2nd VIN # to corroborate the dash VIN.

Myself and the people at the DMV could not locate another VIN. Can you or another member tell me where the other locations are?

Bill

[35-709]

Never had to do that, usually the VIN seen through the windshield on the dash is all you need.  According to my 1973 shop manual, if the engine has not been changed you will find the matching VIN without the car's model number on the engine block behind the left cylinder head.  It is a STAMPED number and not always easy to read or see it all.  The first number should be a 6 (denotes Cadillac division) the second will be a 2 (last digit of model year), the third will be a letter, Q for Detroit, E for Linden --- the remaining numbers will match your VIN if (as I noted ) the engine has not been changed.

A VIN number derivative (as GM calls it) can also be found stamped on the left side of the transmission case on the flat surface just above the pan.  Again, the last 6 digits will match your VIN IF the transmission has not been replaced somewhere along the line with a different one, such as both my engine and transmission have been.  Good luck with it.

Ooops, I'm not Tim, sorry Tim.

[35-709]

Wonder what the h*** your DMV does if the engine and dash VIN are different as could be the case with many cars that old.  Do they just say, "sorry", and turn you away?  Call the police 'cause your VINs don't match?  Seems very strange to me.

[Marooncarab]

Thank you the for the information it was very helpful.

The situation arose when I found a discrepancy between the paperwork and the VIN on the dash. The VIN on the Title and Registration both reflected that it was a 1974 instead of a 1972. The VIN on the paperwork (Title & Registration) reflected a 6D47R4 ... VIN (1974), but everything else on the paperwork referred to it as being a 1972. The VIN on the dash was 6D47R2 ... showing it to be a 1972. Apparently, the mistake had been made over 20 years ago when the owner put vanity plates on the car - "72CAD". He passed away in November and I bought the car from his son in January. His son put the Title in his name along with the Registration. The car is currently registered in California until September of 2014.

As a result of all this I have to have the car inspected by a California Highway Patrol VIN "Specialist" and this information should prove to be extremely beneficial. Thank you again.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

No question but the car is a '72.
Greg Surfas

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

That should have been an EASY correction of a old mistake. But the DMV here in Kalifornia had to take it to the next level. Hopefully the CHP will be smart enough to easily correct it. Avoid letting them assign  it a new VIN & attaching their blue tag on your car! Contact me directly at bobscads@comcast.net if you have more questions. BTW, the CHP usually has a LONG wait to get an appointment. And... the motor # is VERY hard to see.
Good Luck, Bob

[76eldo]

How much is that Caribou?

I am looking for an El Camino right now, but...

Brian

[Marooncarab]

Brian

I have a few offers now, But have not made a final decision. If you would like we can discuss it on the phone or via private emails. I would be more than happy to do so. What would be the best way to contact you direct?

Bill

[txturbo]

Wow....sounds like you've opened a can of worms. I've dealt with the CA DMV before on similar issues and it was a nightmare. If I were you I wouldn't sell that car to anyone until you get it straightened out. There has to be a VIN stamped on the frame somewhere,usually in several places on GM cars and none of them are easy to see without taking something apart. You really need to find out if the VIN matches the paperwork before you get the CHP involved , because if they come out and look at the frame VIN and it doesn't match they will immediately impound the car unless you show them paperwork of some kind clarifying the mismatch.

[Marooncarab]

DMV & CHP were most helpful. Problem resolved. It was a "typo" error.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Brian,
This is what you need.  It is in the paint shop now.
Greg Surfas

[76eldo]

Pics and info to rachlin@comcast.net would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian