VIN Number

[AZAL55]

This is probably the wrong place to ask this but I didn't see a general question area. I have a 69 Ambassador that I need to get inspected and titled in Co. I can not locate the VIN plate anywhere, any ideas.

[2bkidfree]

If you can't find it anywhere you can always try the frame rail. Airstream sometimes put it on the top of the frame rail at the front of the trailer. Mine was on the left hand side (facing the trailer) at the very edge of the trailer under multiple layers of paint. I have a 59 and I don't know how consistant they were about putting it on.

Gilbert

[SteSpot]

Our 69 Overlander had the vin # on a plate to the right of the front door......pj

[Zeppelinium]

It's a 2x3" plate below the front window on the street side, just above the tongue as it goes under the shell. It's also imprinted on the Airstream plate immediately in front of the door. The number has no resemblence to a modern VIN. Also, the first letter is usually a letter "I", not the numeral "1". You will most likely find that this was previously registered with a leading "1".

Zep

[AZAL55]

Thanks, Ill start looking

[69AmbassFl]

Your profile says 68 and your post says 69, do you now have 2 A/S? I have a 69 Ambassador and the vin is on a plate, curb side under the window in front of the door. Zep is right on as to being titled with a 1 instead of an I as mine was also done this way.

[vhord]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

It's a 2x3" plate below the front window on the street side, just above the tongue as it goes under the shell. It's also imprinted on the Airstream plate immediately in front of the door. The number has no resemblence to a modern VIN. Also, the first letter is usually a letter "I", not the numeral "1". You will most likely find that this was previously registered with a leading "1".

Zep

I understand that it is suppose to be an "I" but Airstream put a "1" on both of my name plates and my title states the same. Maybe they lost their "I" stamp.

[Zeppelinium]

Wow, usually that first character is just a vertical slash, like a small "l", so it's indeterminate. I know others can't wait to comment on this...

Zep

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Wow, usually that first character is just a vertical slash, like a small "l", so it's indeterminate. I know others can't wait to comment on this...

Zep

Ours is definitely an "I":

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by 69AmbassFl

Your profile says 68 and your post says 69, do you now have 2 A/S? I have a 69 Ambassador and the vin is on a plate, curb side under the window in front of the door. Zep is right on as to being titled with a 1 instead of an I as mine was also done this way.

We had a 69 Overlander that was salvaged by the insurance company. We now have a 68 Ambassador that is being recreated by Uwe (www.area63productions.com) update or blog. One Airstream is enough for us.....we have to store it 40 miles from our home. paula

[goransons]

I'd clean up the top curbside tongue rail, should be stamped there, probably burried under lots of coats of paint and check to see if it is an "I" or 1 in that location, ours was really easy to read after a few minutes with a wire brush on a drill.

[centennialman]

Sometimes the vin number will "fade" out with time even though it is still on the plate under the window.

If you have such a plate, whether rubber/plastic or metal, you can rub a little cooking oil over it and the numbers will show themselves easier.

Mine were all but gone and I tried that method. Worked like a charm!

[MaxAB]

Mine's probably not the only mix-up! I've got a title from the PO that clearly has the numeral "1" as the first character, but my coach displays the letter "I" (India) as the first character in the VIN string.

Can't get it registered in my state, and the AS is from out of state. Very frustrating, any suggestions would be appreciated....

Thansk!

[Robert Burns]

About to buy my first airstream tradewind 1968 ... how can i check from the vin number who the owner is ... it appears to be only 12 characters ... is that right ... advice thankfully recieved

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Robert Burns

About to buy my first airstream tradewind 1968 ... how can i check from the vin number who the owner is ... it appears to be only 12 characters ... is that right ... advice thankfully recieved

Can you post here what you can read? paula

[MaxAB]

Suggestion: Get a digital photograph of the VIN plate. You'll find it on the street side forward low. The number also appears stamped into the "Airstream Placard" on the curb side forward near the "Tradewind" logo. Take the photo to your Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent in FL) and do a search on it. Its always cleaner to have the registered named person on the the VIN search MATCH the seller's name. Then, make sure the seller's title VIN MATCHES exactly the VIN on AS Placard.

Since I didn't go through the drill above, I paid extra $'s to have a state-certified VIN inspector inspect my rig and write a report to the DMV. A fairly major hassle that can be avoided on the front end.

I'm good to go now, all registered with my "new" VIN and title.

Good luck and happy trails!

Art
Abu Dhabi (until next August)