C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

VIN number decryption

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 01:05 AM
  #1  
corvettdreamin's Avatar
corvettdreamin
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
Default VIN number decryption

Can anyone tell me what all the numbers on the VIN mean.
When someone says its matching numbers does that mean that the engine number is also somewhere in the VIN. What about all the option codes, where are thay all listed.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 08:40 AM
  #2  
Peeps9823's Avatar
Peeps9823
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Brighton Michigan
Default

The numbers on the VIN, are a 13 digit code that tell, the manufacturer, wether it's a coupe or a convertible, the engine option, year it was produced, where it was produced, a check figure of the year it was produced, and the sequence in production when it came off the assembly line.
Numbers matching refers to the last 5 digits of the VIN, they are stamped (along with the engine suffix codes) on a lip on the front part of the block, below the front of the passenger side head & valve cover. The same applies for the transmission, there is a production code to decipher, and the last 5 digits of the VIN are stamped next to that. Peep the link below for a complete explanation.

http://www.corvette-web-central.com/...INdecoder.html

Last edited by Peeps9823; Oct 20, 2010 at 08:47 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 02:08 PM
  #3  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by corvettdreamin
...Can anyone tell me what all the numbers on the VIN mean...
Yes. The various characters all stand for codes which sometimes varied from year to year. Post your VIN.

...When someone says its matching numbers does that mean that the engine number is also somewhere in the VIN...
Kinda sorta. A VIN derivitive of the vehicle the engine is installed in is stamped on the engine pad. If that number matches the VIN of the car, the engine is usually the original engine. The VIN does not necessarily include the engine number in it, but it will have a code for what the original engine was supposed to have been.

...What about all the option codes, where are thay all listed...
They are not listed on the car. They are listed on the window sticker, the invoice, or on the build sheet/tank sticker. They are also listed in The Corvette Black Book.

Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 02:44 PM
  #4  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,110
Likes: 4,174
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi CD,
Here's a picture of a typical engine pad that most people look at first to start the 'numbers' search. It tells when the engine was assembled, in what HP configuration, and what car it went into. Also here's a picture of an alternator with a part number, date, and capacity.
The list of part numbers and dates to check can be just about as long as you want it to be. For example, the fiberglass body panels had tags molded into them with a date and the interior door panels had date stamped on them.
This is fascinating to some people and totally a waste of time to others.
Regards,
Alan



Reply
Old Oct 20, 2010 | 08:26 PM
  #5  
corvettdreamin's Avatar
corvettdreamin
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia
Default

Great information, Thanks..
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2010 | 05:30 PM
  #6  
tmd442's Avatar
tmd442
Instructor
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Default

I understand the meaning of the "VXXXXCJL"
Does anyone know what the "C11" means prior to the stamped vin #

I checked the Corvette Black book but it seems I cannot locate the meaning of that.

Thanks
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To VIN number decryption





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:24 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE