What does it mean?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 710
From: Avondale Arizona
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21
What does it mean?
My brother is beginning work on getting our departed dad's '73 coupe driveable after a 14 year wait in the garage. When de-coding the vin, I found it doesn't match anything I have found elsewhere. The vin is: 1Z37J3S432032. I can match everything but the "J" - what does it mean? The trim tag has "LO3" stamped in the upper right corner. I can't find anything that matches this. The color is coded as "SPEC", so I would venture to guess it's a special order paint, which is a rather dark brown metal flake. The engine is a nom 350 I built for him years ago repacing the nom that was in it when he purchased it in 1986, so can't provide any info concerning it. Any info will be greatly appreciated, as this rebuild is somewhat of a tribute build to our dad.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 363
From: Lubbock Texas
The "J" means it came with the 190HP base engine. Here's a link that might help some:
http://www.idavette.net/facts/73.htm
DC
http://www.idavette.net/facts/73.htm
DC
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Dave,
Having SPEC on the Trim Tag is a great find. It OFTEN meant that the car left St.Louis in PRIMER. There was a car on display at Carlisle, under the grandstand, that had a top level restoration and was a primer car. It was pretty strange to see!!!
Regards,
Alan
Having SPEC on the Trim Tag is a great find. It OFTEN meant that the car left St.Louis in PRIMER. There was a car on display at Carlisle, under the grandstand, that had a top level restoration and was a primer car. It was pretty strange to see!!!
Regards,
Alan
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,006
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
A spec trim tag is quite rare. It is thought that most of the '73s with spec were painted black as this was not a factory colour. Are your sure the brown is original?
The L03 on your tag = July 3rd 1973. My car was built the same day, my VIN ends in 32073. How about that!
The L03 on your tag = July 3rd 1973. My car was built the same day, my VIN ends in 32073. How about that!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 710
From: Avondale Arizona
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
St. Jude Donor '19-'20-'21
Thanks for all the info, guys. We're not sure of the color, though we have obtained the name and address of the original owner in San Diego. I'm sure my bro will be doing his best to contact them for info. As I'm not an owner of a C3 ('64 Convert and '02 MY Coupe) I'm not up on any of the oddities of these cars. It's great that this car may be a bit rare with the primer issue. Unless the car was completely stripped by a very, very good shop, I can't see where there has been another color on the car. The brown is not a Chevy color as far as I can determine, though, as you know, there are many strange things out there in bow tie land. Again, thanks for all your help. And, yes, I'm sure Dad is watching, patiently for the car to get back on the road. Also, as many of you guys can, we blame Dad for our auto afflictions.
Good day and save the wave.
Dave
Good day and save the wave.
Dave
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Any of these might help, but you are correct. If the color coat was done by a good shop, you are not likely to find any of the original paint.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
How about under the black-out in the wiper well? That probably is still the way it was originally.
It really would be interesting to know what color the car was when it was delivered.
Regards,
Alan
It really would be interesting to know what color the car was when it was delivered.
Regards,
Alan
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin California
Original color
Just a follow up: From an original warrantee booklet found in the car I was able to track down the original owner of the car. He couldn't remember the name of the dealership where he purchased the car but he said it was a sandy gold color when he bought it with only 9 miles on the odometer. From what I have been able to find out, gold was not a stock color in 73. I will post up when I have more information. Thanks for all the input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
