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13 digit VIN??

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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 05:00 PM
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Default 13 digit VIN??

My dad is currently looking at a 1978 L82 and the dealer gave him a 13 digit VIN?? Aren't they suppose to have a 17 digit VIN? I am trying to look up a carfax report for him......
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 05:05 PM
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the older vettes have 13 digit vins. there isn't a way that i know of that you can look up your vehicle history on carfax.
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by blackblack94
My dad is currently looking at a 1978 L82 and the dealer gave him a 13 digit VIN?? Aren't they suppose to have a 17 digit VIN? I am trying to look up a carfax report for him......
It changed from 80 to 81. The 80 and before had 13 digit, 81 and later had the new longer VIN. Carfax is useless for older Vette's.

tom...
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 05:29 PM
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carfax is useless for newer ones also, mine came out clean but I know it's put together from an 80 and an 82, it was stolen, went to a chopshop and the 80 body was wrecked, received a calif. replacement vin....and carfax came up clean!

Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Dec 5, 2006 at 11:16 PM.
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
.... received a calif. replacement vin....and carfax came up clean!
Maybe they mean it is clean from the point where the state VIN was issued To them it did not exist before then
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
carfax is useless for newer ones also, mine came out clean but I know it's puit together from an 80 and an 82, it was stolen, went to a chopshop and the 80 body was wrecked, received a calif. replacement vin....and carfax came up clean!
I'm IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY
CLEAN CAR FAX MEANS .............NO POLICE REPORT !!!
car could have been stolen or totaled if the police were not contacted or no insurance claim was put in it will ALWAYS come up clean..........
CAREFUL !!
ZIXXSTER
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Old Dec 5, 2006 | 11:16 PM
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It's the 82 VIN that comes up clean, 80 vin is 13 digits and can't be checked, the replacement vin is also 13 digits so can't be checked either.
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 01:41 AM
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Don't try and buy a vette like you buy any other used car. Its a unique beast and no CARFAX or other checking will help. What you need is a good car guy, Vette Guy!!!!....to go over it for you. Don't be one of the poor souls who have bought an L-82....only to find out later they only bought an L-82 emblem. Do a little research... and ask questions on this forum. You will find it helpful. Good Luck.
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by blackblack94
My dad is currently looking at a 1978 L82 and the dealer gave him a 13 digit VIN?? Aren't they suppose to have a 17 digit VIN? I am trying to look up a carfax report for him......
Take a look for yourself. The VIN is on the driver's windshield post and visible from outside the car.
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Old Dec 6, 2006 | 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by blackblack94
My dad is currently looking at a 1978 L82 and the dealer gave him a 13 digit VIN?? Aren't they suppose to have a 17 digit VIN? I am trying to look up a carfax report for him......

as all have said its 13 pre 80/81. the only thing you an do is go to you local DMV and submit a paper vehicle history request and mail it in

I went through this with my 68
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