For a numbers matching car restoration, a lot of it is about the numbers. So, here are the numbers and codes and to show how they all fit together.
It starts with the Protect-O-Plate
Which matches info of the VIN and matches up with what the cowl tag tells us
12D - build date, fourth week of December 1964
65 - 13837 - 1965 Malibu SS V8 sport coupe
KAN - Built at the Leeds, Kansas assembly plant
8125 - body sequence number at the Kansas plant
792 - white bucket seat interior
N-N - Madeira Maroon paint
Group 1:
W - tinted windshield (this was actually coded wrong as the car for some reason has tinted glass all around)
Group 2:
L - 4-speed transmission
P - Comfort and Convience Group (Day/Night Mirror, two-speed wiper with washer)
S - Rear antenna
R - Rear speaker
Group 3:
C - Padded dash
Group 5:
W - Deluxe front seat belts with retractors
The engine CON VIN and build date. The build date is December 14. The "EC" suffix code denotes the 350hp/327ci engine.
The transmission CON VIN and build date. The build date is December 22.
Carburetor numbers
3863150 (Chevy part number)
LIST 3043 (Holley LIST number)
484 (build date, 1964 - August - 4th day)
Alternator numbers
1100693 (Chevy part number)
4K4 (build date, 1964 - October - 4th day)
Starter
1107320 (Chevy part number)
4M4 (build date, 1964 - December - 4th day)
Distributor
1111071 (Chevy part number)
4 D 27 (build date, 1964 - April - 27th day)
Even the jack hook has unique identifying stampings.
Cylinder head casting numbers and dates
Casting number 3782461 ("461" heads)
Casting dates K 11 4 (October 11, 1964) and L 1 4 (November 1, 1964)
Engine block
3782870 ("870" block)
Casting date L 11 4 (November 11, 1964)
Exhaust manifolds
Casting numbers: R - 3840812, L - 3834947 (the X appears randomly on some, not on others)
Fuel pump, most small block fuel pumps look the same, but the L79 pump has unique internal controls and a true L79 AC fuel pump carries the number 40148.
Intake manifold
Casting 3844461 ("461" intake)
Bellhousing
Casting 3858403
Rear axle
CW = 3.31 gears, open (remember, this car was built during the axle plant strike thus the posi unit was installed at the dealership, see reference on the original sales receipt)
12 10 = December 10 (1964, see casting date), it appears the POP has the build date as 12 16, it is not entirely uncommon to see small errors such as this.
B = built at the Buffalo plant
