Help with Year
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 55
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '10
Help with Year
So I am looking to buy this car, and the guy is saying it is a '79 but it just has '81 bumpers on it, however I have this picture of the interior and it looks to be an '81 to me but I was hoping you guys could help me out since you are much more experienced then me. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,580
Likes: 3,068
From: Shamong, NJ
The headlight **** and center gauge cluster, with the oil temp gauge in place of a clock are 81-82 items. The rear defroster switch is the 80-82 type (1980 2nd design found in 80s built after January 1980). Though the 85 mph speedometer was found in some very late production 79s (cars built in Aug 79), it is more commonly found in 80-82s. The emblem in the horn button is an 80-81 design and the hvac control with the fan symbol (instead of lines to indicate fan speed) was only used in 81-82. From the picture it's a little hard to tell the color of the interior, but if it is cinnabar (sort of a rust color), then it's an 81 interior.
Check the VIN number on the left windshield pillar. 79s have 13 digits, 81s have 17.
With 80-82 bumpers and all the 80-82 interior pieces, something is very wrong with this car if it has a 79 title. This may be one of those Corvettes that it's best to walk away from, if not run!
Check the VIN number on the left windshield pillar. 79s have 13 digits, 81s have 17.
With 80-82 bumpers and all the 80-82 interior pieces, something is very wrong with this car if it has a 79 title. This may be one of those Corvettes that it's best to walk away from, if not run!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
So I am looking to buy this car, and the guy is saying it is a '79 but it just has '81 bumpers on it, however I have this picture of the interior and it looks to be an '81 to me but I was hoping you guys could help me out since you are much more experienced then me. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
If the VIN is a '79 number, you should be very suspicious that this is a stolen '81 car with a grafted '79 VIN. Unless there is some solid documentation of how the car came to be that way, take a pass on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,924
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check the VIN tag on the driver's windshield post. If the vehicle certification sticker is still on the driver's door, it has a VIN on it.
Any exterior pics of this car?
Have you checked the stampings on the pad on the block at the front of the right head?
Does the seller have any of the original documentation for this car? Invoice? Window sticker? Corvette order copy?
Any exterior pics of this car?
Have you checked the stampings on the pad on the block at the front of the right head?
Does the seller have any of the original documentation for this car? Invoice? Window sticker? Corvette order copy?
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
That steering wheel is not even a stock Corvette.
As everyone says, big differences in '79/'81. A peek at the frame, or even the hood, entire nose, etc should tell you a lot. If the VIN is '79 and the parts are all '81, then a car that should be cheap anyway becomes pretty worthless in a hurry.
As everyone says, big differences in '79/'81. A peek at the frame, or even the hood, entire nose, etc should tell you a lot. If the VIN is '79 and the parts are all '81, then a car that should be cheap anyway becomes pretty worthless in a hurry.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
i had not even thought of that but you are right. also '81 first year of the mono spring for automatic cars.