My '63 has it under the carbs.

this is where I found mine also but they said near shock on PASSENGER side

ummm.... Is that possibly because it's written by an Englishman (Horler)?

now that makes since to me. I take that for problem solved

The number is actually stamped into the frame, under the right front lever shock, You may have a lot of grime covering it and it is painted. The VIN plate we are all refeering to is a metal tag attached to the frame rail on the driver side. As for the shocks they are full length on a 65 and the car was originally positive ground, I want to think 76 was the switch year. Either way it looks like someone converted your car possibly when they put in the newer dash, radio etc. Does the face of the tach say positive earth?
That can be changed as others have mentioned but I was wondering if maybe someone took a complete dash out of a later car and put into yours?

Mark

How about the possibility that it is a '73 that someone just screwed a '65 ID plate onto? Been done lots of times before (but I would NEVER have done it!!!)
BillM