California 1965 Buick Riviera + 1965 Ford F100

What have I got?

Chassis VIN

I started by decoding the chassis VIN by visiting this site: http://www.buickgod.com/article/3625.html

My Chassis VIN: 494475h907554

  • 49447 – Buick Riviera 2 dr. Hardtop Coupe
  • 5 – 1965
  • h – Flint, MI
  • 907554 – Production Number

Then took a look at the body plate which is on the firewall driver side: https://rivowners.org/features/Ev_Stats/colortrim/options.html

The body plate reads the following:

General Motors Corporation
11D
ST 65-49447 FB 30329 BODY
TR 629 SS (star) PAINT
EX-2K-4F-5W
Body by Fisher

Decoding it as:

Time Built Code: 11D

  • Week “D” Month 11 – 4th week of November (64?)

Style: 65-49447

  • Model Year – 1965
  • GM Division – 4 – Buick
  • Series/Style – 9447 – Riviera 2 dr. Hardtop Coupe

Body: FB 30329

  • Plant Location: FB – Flint
  • Production Serial – 30329

Trim: 629

  • Color and Material: 629 – Bucket Seats, Vinyl Saddle (Optional Custom Interior Trim)

Paint: SS (Star)

  • Lower and Upper – SS – Sahara Mist
  • Nobody knows what the star means

Accessory Option: EX-2K-4F-5W

  • E = EZI Glass All
  • X = Power Window (Except Vents)
  • 2K = Air Conditioner
  • 4F = Remote Mirror
  • 5W = Seat Belts with Retractor

Engine Serial

The engine has a serial number: 8J4008768 which would correspond to the chassis VIN. So obviously engine is not numbers matching with chassis VIN. Also first clue here is it starts with an “8” which means it does not come from a 1965.

I had to go here: https://www.teambuick.com/reference/us_35-76.php

8J4008768

  • 8 – Series number – Limited (700), or Electra 225 (4800)
  • J – Year – 1963
  • 4 – Assembly Plant – Kansas City
  • 008768 – Sequential production number, starting at 001001 at each plant, so guessing its the 7,767 built at Kansas

Block Ident

Now the engine ident number: https://www.teambuick.com/reference/ident_engine_63-75.php

JT 362

  • JT – 1963 V-8 401 4bbl

Transmission

There is a tag on the passenger side of the transmission, I was able to get to it lying on the ground with my phone. Looked up here: https://www.teambuick.com/reference/auto_400_codes.php

Its BR65 indicating its previously attached to a 1965 401 V8 Riviera (3.23 axle)

Conclusion

The chassis is in fact a 1965 Buick Riviera (duh, look at the headlights) built in Flint, MI painted and with a new interior, with a 401ci Nailhead pulled from a 1963 Buick Electra 225 and a transmission from a 65.

ca65riv