VIN Research

[abovethegarage]

I am attempting to track down the history of "Loretta" www.58Thunderbird.com and have not had much luck with tracing the VIN. I was told the car came from Las Vegas, New Mexico and that is about all I know. It was sold from NM to a guy in South Dakota who sold it to the nice elderly lady that I bought her from. VIN is H8YH127467 It has no data plate, but I know the original paint code was E (Colonial White) as I could see the color when I restored the trunk mats. Interior is black and white, which I think to be original, Code XH. Other than that, I do not know much else. Any help is appreciated.

[jopizz]

That VIN number is not correct. The fourth digit has to be the letter "H", not a number. If it's an "8" then then there's a typo and that's why you are having trouble finding any history.

John

[jopizz]

Your car would've been Winterset White, color code B. Colonial White was not used until August of 1958. Your car was built before then going by the serial number.

John

[YellowRose]

I see that you made a typo when you typed in that VIN #. I was about to tell you that when John posted, Also you DO have it correct when you registered her in John Rotella's tbird.info Registry. I am in contact with "Fuz" Johnson, of VTCI OFS fame, who also has a Tbird Registry and he will check his Registry to see if he has any records on that VIN # and will let me know. I checked every entry on the Forum and no one in New Mexico has ever listed owning a '58 Tbird in that State. BTW the only letter in that VIN # where you had the 8 should be a G =332 Export model or the H=352 Tudoor HT. Here is a link that will give you a lot of info on your '58 Tbird!

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird...lections.shtml

[abovethegarage]

Thanks....was a typo and thanks for your help. And, yes, Winterset White does look like the correct color. Thanks again.

[jopizz]

If you are so motivated I suggest that you look for the ROT sheet. That will tell you all the factory options the car came with as well as the scheduled build date. They are usually under one of the front seats between the springs. They can also be under or behind the back seat and possibly under the carpets if they are still original.

John

[abovethegarage]

If you are so motivated I suggest that you look for the ROT sheet. That will tell you all the factory options the car came with as well as the scheduled build date. They are usually under one of the front seats between the springs. They can also be under or behind the back seat and possibly under the carpets if they are still original.

John

Will do! Thanks.

[YellowRose]

Mike,

"Fuz" told me that he does NOT have your Tbird in his Tbird Registry, but now that he has the VIN # I assume he will be adding it to to it. Some years ago when several of the production guys were still alive, who worked the Squarebird line, I was able to talk with them regarding where they put the ROT (Rotation) Sheet also known as the Build Sheet before they got out of the car. John told you several of them. Some of them told me they put them in the glove box, others up under the dash, others in the tranny tunnel. I gather it all depended on what they were doing last. After 50-60 years, if they are still there, they could be dust, BUT some of our guys have found them to be in great condition, and some, not so great. I never found mine and I had the interior of the car all part customizing it. I will post a pic of what you are looking for. A flimsy piece of paper detailing what was put on and in the car, and the ACTUAL date the car was born. If you find it, put it in a document protector. Also, where did you get the VIN # from? Was it on the Title when you bought the car? For a 1958 Squarebird, there are several places in the engine bay where it should be stamped also. They may be hard to get to and covered up by the paint or grime. But they bear looking for them just to see if you can read that VIN# and make sure it matches. Here are 2 pix I have showing their locations.

[abovethegarage]

Mike,

"Fuz" told me that he does NOT have your Tbird in his Tbird Registry, but now that he has the VIN # I assume he will be adding it to to it. Some years ago when several of the production guys were still alive, who worked the Squarebird line, I was able to talk with them regarding where they put the ROT (Rotation) Sheet also known as the Build Sheet before they got out of the car. John told you several of them. Some of them told me they put them in the glove box, others up under the dash, others in the tranny tunnel. I gather it all depended on what they were doing last. After 50-60 years, if they are still there, they could be dust, BUT some of our guys have found them to be in great condition, and some, not so great. I never found mine and I had the interior of the car all part customizing it. I will post a pic of what you are looking for. A flimsy piece of paper detailing what was put on and in the car, and the ACTUAL date the car was born. If you find it, put it in a document protector. Also, where did you get the VIN # from? Was it on the Title when you bought the car? For a 1958 Squarebird, there are several places in the engine bay where it should be stamped also. They may be hard to get to and covered up by the paint or grime. But they bear looking for them just to see if you can read that VIN# and make sure it matches. Here are 2 pix I have showing their locations.

Thanks for the information. I got the VIN from the frame rail. See photo. 20220725_150804.jpg

[Eric S]

Not a big deal here but Las Vegas is in Nevada, not New Mexico, unless there is another Las Vegas...

[abovethegarage]

Not a big deal here but Las Vegas is in Nevada, not New Mexico, unless there is another Las Vegas...

There actually is a Las Vegas, NM. Been there and can verify that for sure. Screen Shot 2022-09-15 at 2.50.02 PM.png

[YellowRose]

Great, Mike! That proves the VIN # is accurate! A good number of people have tried to find those stampings and often do not due to paint or grime covering them.