ROC OUT

Prior to purchasing a classic vette (or any car for that matter) has anyone used an internet VIN Decoding service to provide information on a particular car's original parts/options as disclosed by VIN numbers? If so, then which service is seems best for the money?

The reason I ask is that in looking at C3s, a few individuals have offered the VIN as evidence of originality of the car. This doesn't really do me any good unless I can access information on the VIN.

Thanks!

vettebuyer6369

Many classic cars, including early Corvettes, do not include most original parts/options within their VINs.

ROC OUT

Why then are these individuals providing the VIN to me and what, if any, significant information can I access with it?

LeMans Pete

1972+ will have the engine options within the VIN, and a few earlier years will tell you coupe or convertible. This is nothing you should pay for, widely available information:

http://www.corvette-web-central.com/...INdecoder.html

vettebuyer6369

This is about it. Providing the VIN will tell you when the car was built. I'd ask them what exactly are they thinking they are providing with a VIN?

ROC OUT

Thanks, all! I kinda figured there was something screwy with providing me with the VIN because as I tried to get detailed information about the car, all I was getting was three or four pieces of information such as the year built, location of build and one or two other bits. There was no information on original options.

Easy Mike

With the exception of engine codes for applicable model years, C3 VINs do not contain option information. You will need original documentation with the car to determine the options (window sticker, Corvette order copy, original dealer invoice, etc.)

Skip Burney

So there is really nothing special about a numbers matching 73 since there is no way to tell if it has the origional engine

Easy Mike

Original engines, frames and trannies have VIN derivitive stamps so it is not difficult to check the numbers.

Mike Ward

What's your definition of 'numbers matching' ?

Skip Burney

My 73 is supposed to have the same engine and trans it left the factory with but I have never checked it but if the vin won`t show it there is no way to check is there?

Easy Mike

Your engine, trans, and frame will be stamped with 13S4xxxxx if they are original. The Xs will be your consecutive unit number, same as on the VIN tag on the windshield post.

Engine stamp is on the pad on the block at the front of the right head.

The second stamp on the pad (larger characters) is the engine identification stamp with identifying suffix and the day the engine was assembled.

Mike Ward

?????

'72 and up Corvettes have the original engine option encoded into the VIN as stated above by Lemans Pete. Whether your car has the original engine in it or not is a different question.