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Old Aug 23, 2012 | 06:00 PM
  #1  
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Default Help w/ VIN#

A friend is looking to repace the C3 his GF wrecked, and I ran across one he might like to see.

My questions are:

It is said to be a 1980, but has a 13 digit VIN#. I thought I read on here recently that the switch to a 17 digit VIN occured with the late 70s cars, or certainly by 1980??

Anyaway...

White w/ black T-tops
VIN# 1786AS418XXX
Has L-82 badges, and sign on window claims it is one of 5200 such cars (with L-82s, I assume)
Auto trans
Glass fast back design (hatchback??)

Body looks immaculate (sp?), the leather is fair to good, couldn't see the carpet too well, but looks original. Tires are good and wheels are the late C3 type aluminum wheels.

He claimes it is one of 5200 (1980 L-82s) and is asking $12.5k OBO.

Is the VIN correct for a 1980?
Any idea of how many L-82s were made in 1980?
Is $12.5 for an under 100k mile, clean L-82 C3 (in northern IL) anywhere close to reasonable???

What say y'all??

P.
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Old Aug 23, 2012 | 06:05 PM
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Paul,

Could some letters be missing? I ask because via :

Total 1980 Corvettes Built - 40,614

Serial numbers: 1Z87xAS400001 through 1Z87xAS440614

The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Position Character Description
1 1 Chevrolet Division
2 Z Corvette
3-4 87 Coupe
5 8 L48 350-cid V8, 190-hp
H California LG4 305-cid V8, 180-hp
6 L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp, Four-Barrel
6 A 1980
7 S Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13 400001 to 440614 production sequence

S0 I see the VIN would be 1Z876ASxxxxxx

According to http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx there were 5,069 L82's manufactured.

That said, the late model C3's don't hold the value that the early models do. $12,500 should get a documented original car that shows very well. I always see them advertised for more, but rarely see these particular models sold at the higher prices (unless collector cars with extremely low miles). 4-speeds hold value better based on rarity (only 5,726 units). Then combine rare options (for example L82 and 4-speed manual, though there's no data for this, so it's an educated guess).

Cheers,

Eugene

Last edited by BeansWorld; Aug 23, 2012 at 06:16 PM.
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Old Aug 23, 2012 | 06:29 PM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by BeansWorld
Paul,

Could some letters be missing? I ask because via :

Total 1980 Corvettes Built - 40,614

Serial numbers: 1Z87xAS400001 through 1Z87xAS440614

The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Position Character Description
1 1 Chevrolet Division
2 Z Corvette
3-4 87 Coupe
5 8 L48 350-cid V8, 190-hp
H California LG4 305-cid V8, 180-hp
6 L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp, Four-Barrel
6 A 1980
7 S Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13 400001 to 440614 production sequence

S0 I see the VIN would be 1Z876ASxxxxxx

According to http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx there were 5,069 L82's manufactured.

That said, the late model C3's don't hold the value that the early models do. $12,500 should get a documented original car that shows very well. I always see them advertised for more, but rarely see these particular models sold at the higher prices (unless collector cars with extremely low miles). 4-speeds hold value better based on rarity (only 5,726 units). Then combine rare options (for example L82 and 4-speed manual, though there's no data for this, so it's an educated guess).

Cheers,

Eugene
U da man, Eugene! I saved that link for future use. Thanks so much!

P.
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Old Aug 23, 2012 | 07:59 PM
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Are you sure its not white with tinted dark glass T Tops?

White with black painted tops sounds like a really bad idea for a car that seems OK otherwise.
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Old Aug 24, 2012 | 10:05 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by Paul Workman
...VIN# 1786AS418XXX...Is the VIN correct for a 1980?...
Almost. The 7 is actually an alpha Z. 1Z86

A is the correct code for the 1980 model year.

You are missing the numeric engine code in front of the A. It will be a 6 for L-82 cars. 1Z866A..

...Any idea of how many L-82s were made in 1980?...
5069

...Is $12.5 for an under 100k mile, clean L-82 C3...anywhere close to reasonable?...
Define "anywhere." I have an 80 L-82. For the $12,500 asking price, the one your friend is looking at had better be an exceptionally good car.

Post some pics.

17 digit VINs did not begin until the 1981 model year.


Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 24, 2012 at 10:09 AM.
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