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'78 and '79 Sunbirds

Started by _UC Sunbird_ , Feb 13 2017 03:24 PM

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19 replies to this topic

#1 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 13 February 2017 - 03:24 PM

Hi Guys,

I need some help....

We've purchased 2 Sunbird rolling bodies 1978 and 1979. One has all tags including Cert for a 6 but other has no tags at all.

We're trying to find the chassis numbers stamped/etched onto the body to confirm what we have is a genuine Sunbird body.

We've been told the chassis numbers are stamped on the right hand front chassis rail behind headlight next to radiator but neither bodies have any numbers in this area. Is there somewhere else they have been stamped? Hidden chassis numbers?

Thanks in advance ^_^

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#2 Dr Terry

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 09:29 AM

What do you mean by one of the Sunbirds has "all tags including Cert for a 6" ?

The chassis numbers can be difficult to find. They are on the small chassis panel near the carbon canister which is often replaced during a frontal smash repair.

Either that, or the stamping is quite faint & paint is so thick, making it nearly impossible to read.

Dr Terry

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#3 yel327

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 11:33 AM

Why would you want "genuine Sunbird" bodies? You'd be wanting Toranas! Or at least should be.

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#4 Uncle Chop Chop

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 12:34 PM

What do you mean by one of the Sunbirds has "all tags including Cert for a 6" ?

Obviously they need a plate over in NZ when going from a four cyl to a six cyl. As Terry said, it's probably been painted over. Use a wire brush and you should find them.

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#5 UCgazman

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 01:29 PM

Why would you want "genuine Sunbird" bodies? You'd be wanting Toranas! Or at least should be.

So you can modify the sh#t out of them without the rivet counters complaining of course!

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#6 Tyre biter

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Posted 14 February 2017 - 08:53 PM

What do you mean by one of the Sunbirds has "all tags including Cert for a 6" ?

The chassis numbers can be difficult to find. They are on the small chassis panel near the carbon canister which is often replaced during a frontal smash repair.

Either that, or the stamping is quite faint & paint is so thick, making it nearly impossible to read.

Dr Terry

See this image for what Dr. T is describing.

Cheers, TB

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#7 yel327

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 04:58 AM

^^From memory on a UC it isn't in that exact location, that is LH-LX. UC are further towards the guard, away from the double panel and spot welds. Maybe an inch or a bit more away from where it is shown in that image. Might make a difference when searching.

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#8 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 06:35 PM

^^From memory on a UC it isn't in that exact location, that is LH-LX. UC are further towards the guard, away from the double panel and spot welds. Maybe an inch or a bit more away from where it is shown in that image. Might make a difference when searching.

Thanks yel327, We have 2 sunbird bodies and Chassis numbers definitely not where shows in that pic on either car. Will look back further by guard ^_^

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#9 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 06:38 PM

Obviously they need a plate over in NZ when going from a four cyl to a six cyl. As Terry said, it's probably been painted over. Use a wire brush and you should find them.

Yes we do need Certification plate to go from 4 cyl to 6cyl here in NZ. We've dropped a Chev V8 in 1 of them so another cert to do ^_^

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#10 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 06:43 PM

Why would you want "genuine Sunbird" bodies? You'd be wanting Toranas! Or at least should be.

Geniune Sunbirds are getting real rare over here in NZ. None in any car shows :huh: Just Toranas and more Toranas...

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#11 Uncle Chop Chop

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 09:32 PM

Rare does not always mean valuable.

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#12 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 15 February 2017 - 10:14 PM

Rare does not always mean valuable.

Very true comment but its not the dollar value we are looking at (Though eventually IF we decide to sell.....) Its the fact that there are no Sunbirds in the car shows over here in NZ but plenty of Toranas, so, meaning rare as in that text

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#13 yel327

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Posted 16 February 2017 - 05:01 AM

Are you going to restore them as UC Holden Sunbirds? The main difference being a 4cyl big block, and the badges. Most UC Toranas are actually a UC Sunbird with an option package applied, which includes replacing the Sunbird badges with Torana badges. From memory the only UC Torana that isn't an optioned Sunbird is the base Torana S sedan (8UG69). The rest are option packages on a Sunbird, eg a Torana SL sedan is a Sunbird sedan (8UH69) with option package A9H applied.

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#14 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 19 February 2017 - 09:13 PM

Are you going to restore them as UC Holden Sunbirds? The main difference being a 4cyl big block, and the badges. Most UC Toranas are actually a UC Sunbird with an option package applied, which includes replacing the Sunbird badges with Torana badges. From memory the only UC Torana that isn't an optioned Sunbird is the base Torana S sedan (8UG69). The rest are option packages on a Sunbird, eg a Torana SL sedan is a Sunbird sedan (8UH69) with option package A9H applied.

Yes they will stay as UC Holden Sunbirds. We have all the badges, original sunbird dash, glovebox, consoles etc in both. Only changes are ones going to have a Holden 6 engine replacement and other got Chev 305 smallblock. 6 is already certified, just got to get the 8 certified now :spoton: Couldn't find any chassis numbers anywhere on body with the 8 so shes going through process of new VIN as well. Been 1 big project that car...

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#15 yel327

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Posted 20 February 2017 - 07:07 AM

Do they have Aussie compliance plates? If not they were originally made for sale in NZ so may not have a chassis number, although I thought it should have as unlike others these Toranas got a chassis number before paint.

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#16 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 20 February 2017 - 02:31 PM

Do they have Aussie compliance plates? If not they were originally made for sale in NZ so may not have a chassis number, although I thought it should have as unlike others these Toranas got a chassis number before paint.

No definitely NZ VIN and report also shows was assembled in NZ back in 1978. Think its going to be a really long (time frame) process.....

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#17 yel327

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Posted 20 February 2017 - 03:59 PM

Being assemble din NZ means it won't have the Dandenong applied chassis number on them. Will have Trentham ID plates too but only two of them. It will have a Trentham VIN, but it will only appear on the skinny ID plate.

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#18 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 23 February 2017 - 10:53 PM

Being assemble din NZ means it won't have the Dandenong applied chassis number on them. Will have Trentham ID plates too but only two of them. It will have a Trentham VIN, but it will only appear on the skinny ID plate.

You certainly know your sunbirds/Toranas You've been a fantastic help with all the encyclopedia knowledge you have. Your spot on with it all and want to thankyou very much for taking the time to read and answer our mystery! Its a dam shame theres no chassis stamped/etched number as would've made things easier and quicker of course for getting re-vin-d. But it's been a challenge of a project for 2 years now, (right down to the previous owner just recently, couple weeks ago, wanting it back after we doing all major body work/fabrication on her from being soooo rusted (spare tyre well, both rear chassis rails, rear panel that bumper attaches to, rear inner guards, door sills.... list goes on. Poor old car.... Needless to say pre-owner didnt have leg to stand on lol) so it's quite fitting that the ol' girl is now going through the lengthy process of getting brand new Vin

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#19 yel327

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Posted 24 February 2017 - 06:37 AM

It should still have a Trentham VIN plate on it, just no chassis number.

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#20 _UC Sunbird_

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Posted 28 February 2017 - 02:16 PM

It should still have a Trentham VIN plate on it, just no chassis number.

As said in my original post, the last owner had removed all VIN plates (tags) and since lost them. Hence why we were looking for a chassis stamp/etch but you'v clarified there isn't a chassis etch being NZ assembled. So unless theres a hidden VIN plate somewhere on the body other than under the bonnet/engine bay area, we now have a lengthy process of getting new VIN for it. So far we have not found any hidden plate (Tag) and the body has been stripped by us for the extensive work we've had to do.