'right side' = passenger side
Just after the passenger side door, on the cowl area under the hood, there outta be a metal plate that has stuff like the vehicles GVR, MFG, etc.. on that plate the vehicle serial number should be stamped.
I've heard of California 'VIN' numbers being the original serial number, the engine number, a combination of both, or a totally unique number all together.
Guess it just depends on their mood that particular day, but it seems like in all cases, a new plate was issued with the number on it.. in some cases, the original mfg tag was removed and the state issued plate installed in its place.
