just bought first c3
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
just bought first c3
New member and just bought a 69 c3 from a distant family member and just know what I could find on the internet. the vin is 194379S704553 and it is a 427 4sp car from wat i can tell. The LR motor came with it but is not in the car. The one in the car is I219CZU s400967 big block . I dont know alot and need some help to positively identify my car . It is farm fresh and needs alot of work
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,644
Likes: 1,869
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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New member and just bought a 69 c3 from a distant family member and just know what I could find on the internet. the vin is 194379S704553 and it is a 427 4sp car from wat i can tell. The LR motor came with it but is not in the car. The one in the car is I219CZU s400967 big block . I dont know alot and need some help to positively identify my car . It is farm fresh and needs alot of work
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Corvette VIN Decoder 1965 to 1971
13 Digit VIN Explanation
Location: 1965 to 1967 similar to the 1963 to 1964 models that were spot welded to the body hinge brace under the glove box.
The major difference was that the 65-67 were riveted instead in the same location.
1968-82 Inner side of drivers side windshield post (A-pillar). Visible through window from outside.
Example: 194375S100001
Sequence
Number Code Description
1 GM division 1 = Chevrolet
2 Car line or series 9 = Corvette
3 Engine type 4 = V8
4 & 5 Body style 3 & 7 = two door coupe
6 & 7 = two door convertible
6 Model year designation from GM
5 = 1965
6 = 1966
7 = 1967
8 = 1968
9 = 1969
0 = 1970
1 = 1971
7 Final Assembly Plant "S" = St. Louis
8 to 13 Production Sequence Number 100001 - 121801
I think that 7 after the s must actually be a 1. If it were a 7, that would mean over 700,000 'vettes were made that year, and I think they only made like, 20-30 thousand, something like that. Not much to tell from the older, pre 1981 VINs.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
13 Digit VIN Explanation
Location: 1965 to 1967 similar to the 1963 to 1964 models that were spot welded to the body hinge brace under the glove box.
The major difference was that the 65-67 were riveted instead in the same location.
1968-82 Inner side of drivers side windshield post (A-pillar). Visible through window from outside.
Example: 194375S100001
Sequence
Number Code Description
1 GM division 1 = Chevrolet
2 Car line or series 9 = Corvette
3 Engine type 4 = V8
4 & 5 Body style 3 & 7 = two door coupe
6 & 7 = two door convertible
6 Model year designation from GM
5 = 1965
6 = 1966
7 = 1967
8 = 1968
9 = 1969
0 = 1970
1 = 1971
7 Final Assembly Plant "S" = St. Louis
8 to 13 Production Sequence Number 100001 - 121801
I think that 7 after the s must actually be a 1. If it were a 7, that would mean over 700,000 'vettes were made that year, and I think they only made like, 20-30 thousand, something like that. Not much to tell from the older, pre 1981 VINs.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi s68,
NEW, old 69, VERY nice!
The build sheet was VERY likely on the top of the tank when the car left St. Louis. It MAY still be there!
If you're going to be doing some work on your car I suggest that you consider buying the 69 AIM, (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL), which was used for production in St. Louis; and the 69 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, which was used at the dealerships for service.
They'll both contain information and guidance for you ,and are WELL worth their cost.
What are your plans for the car? What's it like?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
NEW, old 69, VERY nice!
The build sheet was VERY likely on the top of the tank when the car left St. Louis. It MAY still be there!
If you're going to be doing some work on your car I suggest that you consider buying the 69 AIM, (ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION MANUAL), which was used for production in St. Louis; and the 69 CHASSIS SERVICE MANUAL, which was used at the dealerships for service.
They'll both contain information and guidance for you ,and are WELL worth their cost.
What are your plans for the car? What's it like?
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
1969 Corvette coupe; the 4553rd assembled (October, 1968) second month of production.
LR indicates 427/435hp; tri-carb
Look again. There is probably a T in front of the I219. CZU is the code for a 1970 454/390hp Corvette big block. T is the plant code for the
Tonawanda New York engine assembly plant. They made Corvette big block engines. I219 is the date the engine was assembled at Tonawanda (December 19th).
Check again. VIN derivitive could be 10S400967 for a 1970 Corvette assembled in January, 1970.
Go back to the family member who sold you the car and see if he/she has any of the original factory documentation. Corvette order copy, car shipper, dealer invoice, window sticker, etc.
...The LR motor came with it but is not in the car...
...The one in the car is I219CZU...
Tonawanda New York engine assembly plant. They made Corvette big block engines. I219 is the date the engine was assembled at Tonawanda (December 19th).
...s400967...
Go back to the family member who sold you the car and see if he/she has any of the original factory documentation. Corvette order copy, car shipper, dealer invoice, window sticker, etc.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Mar 3, 2012 at 09:49 AM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
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Build sequence was from 700001 to 738762.
Administrator
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Post pictures of the the body as well as the interior. Shots of the console and the tach would be good. Input from the family member would be a ton of help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Correct. The 7 is the car line series code. The car line series code is on all C3s and precedes the actual five digits of the consecutive unit number. It could vary with model year. 4 for 68; 7 for 69; 4 again for 1980, etc.