Hello everybody.
I am posting for the first time.
I am getting ready to buy my friends 1973 L82 4speed.
He has owned since 1986.
It may be a Z07 optioned car.
Sway bar in the rear and twin cotter pin calipers up front.
I need to compare to another 73.
A strange thing though, about the VIN no. versus the title.
Title has a J as the fifth digit (= base motor)
but the vin number behing the windshield has a T as the fifth digit (L82).
Car has white sticker near firewall that reads "High Performance 350" .
Car does not have the original motor. He blew it up many years ago, before matching numbers were a big thing to many of us.
I was wondering if there were any other 73 L82 owners who have same mismatched titles versus vin on car.
I would like to hear any info that you would like to share.
I have in the past owned a 73 base automatic and recently sold a 72 4spd big block.
Thank you

 

I have a 73 base engine coupe that the title vin is off on 2 of the digits (5 that should be S) because of a error early in it's life

 

My 73 L82 had a typo on the title when I was buying it. The owner had to take the car to the dmv and show them the vin plate to get the title corrected.
It probably happens often when an S looks like a 5 etc.

If its a Z07 car there were only 45 built with that option
http://www.idavette.net/facts/73.htm

 

Being that only 45 were made, I would imagine that this topic has been researched to the Nth degree, and all associated VIN's [with the Z07 option] are well known. Contact NCRS and see if that info is available. If so, they should be able to tell you if the VIN you are checking out is legitimate. My "assumption" would be that it isn't real until you can prove it's real.

 

You may be able to go to DMV to get the title corrected. Most data bases for car parts distributors list the parts by vin to identify the J for small block and Z for big block. I rarely ever see T option listed, which some times confuses the pimple faced kid at the parts counter of the local parts store. The dmv could have the assumption that it should be a J based on the car being a small block engine. But who knows?

 

Titles are issued by the state or province, not by GM. There's no reason to believe that an L82 would be more prone to errors than any other car or engine option. I would want the error fixed before buying it.

If it's really a Z07 car, that's a rare find. Don't let those two pin calipers get away from you!

 

I would like to thank everybody that responded to my post.
I will take the title and vette to DMV to see if they can verify the VIN and change the title when I retitle.
As far as the "maybe has the Z07 option", I will contact the NCRS to see if they can help.
Again, thank you for your suggestions and input.
I will try to keep you posted on any developments.

 

It's highly unlikely that a former owner would have added the twin pin (J56) calipers and a rear sway bar to create a Z07 clone so chances are that it's real.

The package also included a bigger front sway bar and HD shocks. Are those present also?

Have you looked at the tank sticker to confirm?

 

...it would be neat if you really have a Z07 there. Have seen a couple "real" '75 Z07(144 made) car and one '74 well known Orange Z07 roadster(47 made). I've never seen a true '73 Z07 car to date. An original build sheet(broadcast sheet)if legible from the top of the gas tank would tell the true story. I do not believe anybody knows the VIN #s of what were "LT-1s, L-82s, 454s, etc" much less what VIN #s went with what option cars.

 

Serial Numbers: 1Z37J3S400001 through 1Z37J3S434464
For Convertibles, the third digit is a "6"

Fifth Digit Code: J=350ci 190hp, T=350ci 250hp, Z=454ci 275hp

this was for 73, not sure about other years

 

It is strange that the title has an S and the VIN a T. I would go with the VIN. NCRS will have no records on this but those front calipers are a good start that it has the option. What emissions label number is near the power brake booster?

If the blue mylar tag on the back of the door is their what letter is on it as the full VIN should match the one on the windshield post.

 

Again, I thank everyone for their input.

I will try to drop the tank once I get it, to look for the build sheet.

I will check the emissions label for more info.
I do not remember any sticker on the door.
Car was repainted twice since my friend has owned, but I will check next time.

 

...yeah, I understand you there, I meant options to "what cars with what VIN #s". I do not believe anybody knows the VIN #s to which 1973 Corvettes were equipped with the Z07 option.

 

I'm curious, because I've never heard of Z07 cars before. What all is included in the Z07 package and what years was it available?

 

Quotes from NCRS Tech Archives:


"David, this one is also going to take some help from Joe Lucia. Here is what I may be of some help. I've seen a '74 Z07, and five '75 Z07s, but never a '73 Z07. Joe and I discussed this on an earlier post(in archives now) and some things I remembered were those cars had "dual pin" front calipers and I think Joe also stated higher rate springs front and rear along with heavy duty front spindles and special front brake pads. Z07 cars also came with the gymkhana suspension which consisted of a rear sway bar(FE7). Here is where your car could'nt be a Z07 car. The Z07 package required that the car have a 454 or an L-82(for '73 & '74), ALSO the car had to have an M-21 close ratio four speed. I hope in my NCRS travels this year I come across one of these ultra rare "Midsharks" For those that don't know, midyear='63 to '67, Midshark='73 to '77. Paul Borowski



Re: vehicle identificatio
Jack Humphrey <Send E-Mail> -- Friday, 19 February 1999, at 10:14 a.m.

VIN system was not intelligent to the degree you desire then. Burden of proof is upon owner per NCRS rules. What it is now, what it was when it left the factory may well be two different things. Start researching the ownership chain -- that's the ultimate answer....



Re: vehicle identificatio
Joe Lucia <Send E-Mail> -- Saturday, 20 February 1999, at 2:41 p.m.

Paul----

I appreciate your confidence in me, but for this one you've covered it quite well and provided an excellent answer. A ZO7 equipped '73 would have an M-21 trans, so that's about as far as anyone would have to look. Also, as you stated, the ZO7 optioned cars would have the "dual-pin" J-56 front calipers with the special cast support braces, the 7 leaf HD rear spring, rear sway bar, and HD shocks. There are other, more subtle suspension differences, but this should be more than enough for someone to identify an original ZO7-optioned car.

 

Paul,
I just posted some info to answer a member, and just realized it was you, that I was quoting.
I just joined the NCRS.
Can not post till I get my NCRS member number, but I can go through the archives.
Good stuff.
Thank you for your information.

 

If the L is in the VIN it could have Z-07 and the title is wrong

 

 

The easiest way to tell to tell is you should have heavy duty sway bar in front. The calipers are dual pin vs the single pin. It's possible to have a Z07 without the dual pin calipers. Z07's came with the dual pin however frequently if the car needed new calipers the dual pin calipers were discarded. Another way to determine is that the brackets are different that hold the calipers in place.

I have a 75 L82 convertible with the Z07 package. I will be happy to send you pic's of what the brackets look like. Send me your email address and I will forward.

Bill
wtaylor93@comcast.net