1976 Pontiac Grand Safari

I'm not about to drive it, though you tell me... What am I supposed to do since the seller doesn't have a real title for it? Shouldn't he have an actual title for it first? Then again I haven't called the DMV yet as they're not open on Modays or Tuesdays and it's still early in the morning this Wednesday.

Edit: I called the DMV, turns out that what I emailed the seller the previous day is correct; he has to get a correct title on it. I won't buy it if he doesn't have the correct VIN on the title.

 

The police frown on possessing a car without a title, especially if you're going to cut it up. Some people I used to hang out with ran into trouble with the law over similar issues - they can nail you for tax avoidance or running a chop shop if they choose to.

Very smart move.

 

Thanks. Being only 24 years old in a few days I don't need that in my history...

 

Good luck.

 

Apparently now sold. Ad gone.

 

Not sold yet. Seller's trying to get a new title for it.

 

How can I decode the VIN on this? Here's what the seller sent me:

2P2576X138989

or

2P3576X138959

(He says it's hard to read.)

The sources I read about Pontiac VINs for 1976 (Found by Google) had conflicting information. Both agreed that the 3rd and 4th numbers denote what type of car in the division, but at the same time didn't agree on the fourth number being a 5; one said 5, the other said 6. Neither said the 3rd number would be a 2 though, so I think it's at least starting as 2P3 if not being 2P4. If it's a 2-seater and wasn't modified for a 3rd seat it is 2P3; else, it's 2P4. What are the next 3 digits for? "76X" stands for what? I'm guessing engine type is one of them and assembly plant is another.

 

Using a 75 vin decoder: http://www.tpocr.com/pontiacvin13.html
2P3576X138959 - maybe it's:

2 - Pontiac
P - Bonneville/Grand Safari
35 - Grand Safari Sta. Wagon 2-Seat
7 ( maybe this is a J ) - meaning 350 4bbl
6 - Year ( 1976 )
X - Kansas City Plant
138959 - sequential build number

 

No way it has a 350 engine.

 

The 5th digit that the seller posted as a 7 is probably a Z that would be a 400 4bbl in 76-78. Not the T/A 6.6 400 Rated at 200 or 220 HP, but the single exhaust version with the lower compression ratio heads rated at 180 or 185 HP. Also it may or may not have a harmonic Balancer installed. Most of the low compression 400's in B or G Bodies just had a Hub to mount the crank pulley to, unless they had a towing package of some type.

 

Thanks, everyone; this helps a lot.

Cross-checking here, I copied this from the site linked. (Page 56: http://www.shopkeysupport.com/sk5com/vin/vin.pdf)

1976 PONTIAC

1st Position - DIVISION
2 Pontiac

2nd Position - CAR LINE & SERIES:
C Astre Std
D LeMans Std/LeMans Safari Std
F LeMans Sport Cpe
G Grand LeMans/Grand LeMans Safari
J Grand Prix
K Grand Prix LJ
L Catalina Std/Catalina Safari
M Sunbird
P Bonneville Std/Grand Safari
R Bonneville Brougham
S Firebird Std
T Firebird Esprit
U Firebird Formula
V Astre Custom
W Firebird Trans Am
Y Ventura Std
Z Ventura SJ

3rd & 4th Positions - BODY TYPE
11 2 Dr Sed
15 2 Dr S/W
17 2 Dr HB
27 2 Dr Sed
29 4 Dr Sed
35 4 Dr S/W, 2 Seat
37 2 Dr HT
45 4 Dr S/W, 3 Seat
47 2 Dr HT
49 4 Dr HT
57 2 Dr HT
69 4 Dr Sed
77 2 Dr HB
87 2 Dr Cpe

5th Position - ENGINE TYPE
A 4-140 (2.3) 1BC 70HP Chev Design
B 4-140 (2.3) 2BC 84HP Chev Design
C 6-231 (3.8) 2BC 105HP Buick Design
D 6-250 (4.1) 1BC 105HP Chev Design
F 8-260 (4.3) 2BC 110HP Olds Design
H 8-350 (5.7) 2BC 140HP Buick Design
J 8-350 (5.7) 4BC 155HP Buick Design M 8-350 (5.7) 2BC 160HP
N 8-400 (6.6) 2BC 170HP
P 8-350 (5.7) 4BC 165HP S 8-400 (6.6) 4BC
W 8-455 (7.4) 4BC 200HP
Z 8-400 (6.6) 4BC 185HP

6th Position - MODEL YEAR
6 1976

7th Position - ASSEMBLY PLANT

(This list doesn't have assembly plant letters.)

8th thru 13th Positions - SEQUENCE NUMBER
A sequential serial number assigned by the vehicle manufacturer.

So far, the first 7 digits look like 2P35Z6X. Does that make sense to you? He did say it has a 400 engine. I did ask him if it's a two-seat and if the engine was ever replaced, and mentioned the VIN could also be on the door.

 

That seems reasonable