VIN/Trim tag will be riveted/screwed to a dash brace under the glove box.
Engine color will be "Chevy Orange".
You'll want to look for pretty much the same things you would with a Shark car, as far as frame/birdcage rust, especially just in front of the rear tires.
Check to see that the headlights work! These are electric lights, and they use two different switches to operate them...be sure they both come on, AND rotate properly.
Check for large, or uneven gaps between the doors and the front fenders...the front ends on early Mid-Years are prone to sagging, so you might see a larger gap at the tops of the doors than you do at the bottoms.
Anything over 1/4 turn of the vent window crank without movement in the actual window means the vent window regulator is worn....very common issue.
IF it has an electric antennae, check to see if it works...all the way up, and all the way back down.
IF it's a fuelie, it should start very easily, and idle nicely.
Drum brakes all around...if you get to drive it, be aware of that...see if it tends to "pull" in one direction or another when stopping.
Look to see if the bumpers are straight, and mounted straight...they tend to sag a bit at the outer corners.

Lots of stuff to look for on Mid-Years, and with prices the way they are even on not-so-great examples, it might be a good idea to get another opinion, IF your check seems to point to a good car/buy.
hth


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

bird cage - look behind the glove box and up - should be able to see condition of the cage.

Hello All!    I am the member who has interest in the car and was extremely impressed when scrappy78 contacted me and said he would be willing to look at the car.  The three photos I received from the owner are POOR at best!  I truly appreciate all of the input in this project.  Hopefully we'll know more after this weekend!

Midyear Trim tag, located on the dash bracing under the glove box

DATE(Body Build Date)
St. Louis Bodies
A = September 1963
B = October 1963
C = November 1963
D = December 1963
E = January 1964
F = February 1964
G = March 1964
H = April 1964
I = May 1964
J = June 1964
K = July 1964
L = August 1964
Followed by a 1 or 2 digit (1-31) day of month
 
Ionia, Mich Bodies (A.O. Smith)
A = January 1964
B = February 1964
C = March 1964
D = April 1964
E = May 1964
F = June 1964
G = July 1964
Followed by a 1 or 2 digit (1-31) day of month   

STYLE
St. Louis Style code consisted of 2 digit Model Year followed by a space (sometimes 2 spaces)
and Body Type '837' for Coupe or '867' for Convertible
A.O. Smith Style code consisted of Body Type ONLY
'837' for Coupe or '867' for Convertible


BODY
Bodies were numbered sequentially, starting with 1. Coupes & Convertibles had their own series through the end of each year's production. 1963 and early 1964 consisted of numbers only. When A.O. Smith began supplying bodies an 'S' or 'A' prefix was added identifying St. Louis or A.O. Smith.
Many variations exist - Here are a few Examples:

S-4
S17
A-234
A 7453
The dash- appears randomly

PAINT
900AA = Black
912AA = Medium Blue
916AA = Dark Blue
923AA = Red
932AA = Saddle
936AA = White
940AA = Satin Silver
941AA = Special Silver


 VIN tag is Spot welded to body hinge brace under the glove box.
First number of VIN is the year model, should be a "4" in this case.
The next 4 numbers is the "style".(coupe/conv)The "08" is for V8 engine, 37=coupe, 87=conv.
6th number is for St Louis assy(S).
The last numbers will be the sequential production number, or the "VIN"

Example:
40837S123456

'64 year model
V8 Coupe
St. Louis
23,456th '64 built.

Adams' Apple2011-04-07 19:53:14

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"