68hemi

This is not a thread created to argue the below information, it is MY thoughts on the subject and I will not participate in THAT type of discussion here. You are free to start your own thread if that is what you want to do but DON'T do it here.

I don’t recall a complete definition posted for matching numbers on this forum so I decided to create MY version of it. This is for C1s and C2s ONLY. Some may agree some may not that is your choice.

I will be using this post to direct people to in the future when I think it is appropriate as I am tired of typing my thoughts on the subject for individual posts.

Initially this has nothing to do with documentation, restamped engines, trim tags, V.I.N. tags, tank stickers, etc. I will address MY thoughts on this later in this post.

First, COMPLETE matching numbers would include every small component to have the correct (where applicable) casting number, date and or part number correct and dated correct to the birthday of the car. SOME PEOPLE believe that early C1s (prior to 1960 when they began stamping the partial V.I.N. on the engine pad) can not be considered matching numbers with regards to the drive train because of the factory absence of this number. To ME and others this is not correct. If Chevrolet determined it was not necessary how can the hobby dictate something else? If the car’s birthday lines up with the correct casting numbers, casting dates, and stamped information isn’t that matching numbers? It was for the factory so why not the hobby. If you have a car that meets this criteria and someone tells you it can not be PROVEN to be matching numbers ask them to prove it is not. It is a glass 1/2 full vs. glass 1/2 empty scenario. Matching numbers to some can be as simple as the V.I.N. plate matching the title as the law and the auto manufactures intended. The auto manufactures also created some partial hidden V.I.N.s to assist law enforcement and insurance companies in the case of theft.

Many people consider a car matching numbers if the title, V.I.N., engine and trans, casting numbers, casting dates and stamped numbers match and line up with the car’s birthday. I am going to describe these things as this is what MOST people n the hobby seem to be interested in.

The available numbers, to consider matching numbers, changed over the years.

This information is BASIC INFORMATION FOR NUMBERS MATCHING showing what matches for each particular year or series of years. I will not include all of the different suffix codes for engine, transmission and in later years certain option combinations. For that information see links below.

1953-1955---You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match, and the engine number for 6 cylinders are located on the right side of the block to the rear of the distributor. 8-cylinder engine number is on pad on front right hand side of the block behind the water pump. All Engine numbers start at 1001. The prefix letter identifies where the engine was built, model year and model type - "F" ~ Flint, "T" ~ Tonawanda.YG stamped suffix code denotes Corvette engine 1953-1955 for 6 cylinders. FG stamped suffix code denotes Corvette V8 engine in 1955. Early Corvette's that had 6 Cylinder engines did not have the Letter "V" as the first Sequence Number. The Letter "V" stands for V8. The VIN of 6 cylinder cars will always start with the Letter "E". This is why the VIN will be 10 digits for 1953-54 cars. For the 1955 model they added the letter V to get 11. After 1955 they went back to a 10 digit sequence.

1956-1957---You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match 1956-1957 model V.I.N.s begin with an “E”, and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine and transmission.

1958---1959 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1958-1959 model V.I.N.s begin with an “J”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine and transmission.

1960 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1960 model V.I.N.s begin with an “0”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine and transmission AND a partial V.I.N.

1961 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1961 model V.I.N.s begin with an “1”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine and transmission and a partial V.I.N.

1962 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1962 model V.I.N.s begin with an “2”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine and transmission and a partial V.I.N.

1963 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1960-1962 model V.I.N.s begin with an “3”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine, transmission some options and a partial V.I.N.

1964 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1960-1962 model V.I.N.s begin with an “4”), and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine, transmission, some options and a partial V.I.N.

1965---1967 You had a title and V.I.N. plate that match (1965-1967 model V.I.N.s begin with an “1”) the model year digit was moved to the 5th character for 1965-1967, and an engine code stamped in the block with a suffix code identifying the engine, transmission, some options and a partial V.I.N.

Beginning in 1963 Corvettes have a trim tag that will identify the exterior and interior colors. For 1963-1967 these colors now add to the matching numbers that MOST people consider. Some of these tags have additional information for the car coded as well. Beginning in 1967 Corvettes have a build sheet glued to the top of the gas tank. All of these things as well as dealer purchase orders, re-stamped engine pads, casting numbers and casting dates can be changed/faked and have been for roughly 40 years so don’t assume that it mean the car was BORN this way. Some of this early “work” is detectable however the reproducers have honed their skills over the years to become undetectable.

Here are links.

There may be better ones, there may be mistakes, I am just giving you quick access for this thread you are welcome to spend YOUR time searching the web for others:

Birthday calculator for your car
http://www.corvettecentral.com/birthday/

Index of detailed Corvette numbers info including engine casting numbers and dates, 1953-1967 Engine Identification Codes (stamped engine suffix codes) 1953-67 Rear Axle Ratios & Identification Codes, and more
http://corvette-world.com/page-2-Cor...fications.html

Critter1

I'm not sure what you are asking. Or what you are saying.

68hemi

Not asking anything except that people follow my requests in the opening.

It is pretty simple. A description of what numbers matching is year by year for C1s and C2s. There is always someone on this site asking what it means. My definitions are NOT for a complete, every component matching like NCRS judges on but rather the basics that MOST people seem to be interested in with quick links for them for additional info. Hopefully it will be a good reference thread for many here.

vettebuyer6369

It's a good reference thread for those who agree with the assertions, which many will not. Those who disagree are also instructed not to post disagreements, either. So, the reference value is likely limited.

So, I think the actual use of the thread is the OP can link/reference this thread when he continues to make these points rather than retyping them every time, as he stated in paragraph 3 of the OP.

Frankie the Fink

What he is saying is that he's using this thread as a personal notepad of his opinion for future reference elsewhere and no dissenting discussion will be countenanced herein. In which case the moderators should go ahead and close this thread now.

This will get interesting

vmaxpwc

You might want to check what you said about 1963 and 1964 VINs. I think you transposed some numbers.

ejboyd5

You all know what is said about opinions; it seems appropriate here.

62corvette

Much misinformation regarding number of digits in vin, and what specific digits the different years begin with. But I am not supposed to disagree with the original post

65hihp

You two actually read through all of that?

68hemi

Thanks for the catch, I have corrected it.

68hemi

It is a free country and you are all free to start your own thread about your arguments about my comments and can reference this thread. I can't stop you from arguing it here but I will not participate in the argument, don't need to, my OP stands regarding my thoughts about it.

427 Sidepipes

provette67

Are you in fact my ex wife. She too loved to argue what ever someone else had to say except when someone questioned her points. She only wished that she would have thought of saying before anyone heard what she would say that no one was allowed to comment afterwards. Perfect way to always be right

65hihp

Right,
all points of view are welcome, because we are all here to learn. But, if your point of view differs from the OP, start a different thread to air out your point of view, so as not to pollute the purity of the thread. When I have wanted to prepare a boilerplate dissertation that I could bestow upon someone who asked a question, I simply write it in a WORD file. Then I copy/paste it into the thread, to save me having to write and re-write the same 10,000 words repeatedly for all those craving for my magnificent words of wisdom. Of course it hasn't actually become an issue yet, since no one asks me to share what I know. Probably because I know so little.

ChattanoogaJSB

This thread makes me smile. I love you guys.

427 Sidepipes

Happy-Happy Joy-Joy… THANX for the advanced warning!
In your expert opinion, will these hip boots be sufficient to wallow thru your complete thread?
I didn’t argue, so PLEASE do NOT tell me here (and I really-really mean it)… kindly reply in a new thread.

Frankie the Fink

Fake news.

MOXIE62

Do I wipe before or after. Could you clear that up.

vettebuyer6369

I'm not seeing the upside of this thread being open, especially if there's no dissenting posts allowed; it will only cause more conflict.

As someone suggested, if all it serves is a personal notepad, you can keep a Word file and copy and paste it that way.

You can still link to this thread whenever you dont want to write all this stuff out when you are posting it again in the future, even if closed.