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

VIN Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 14, 2014 | 07:57 PM
  #1  
Canuck714's Avatar
Canuck714
Thread Starter
Intermediate
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default VIN Help

Hey guys,

I am not an older Gen guy (im a C5 Z and Porsche guy)
But I have always kept an eye out for the right C2 or C3. Anyway, while looking at a split bumper I uncovered a 74 big block 4 spd.

First, is there a way to decipher the vin here on the forum.
Second... Isnt that the last year BB? I cant imagine there was a ton of LS4 454 4 speeds at the end of the run.

Any help would be appreciated.

Zach
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2014 | 09:05 PM
  #2  
Canuck714's Avatar
Canuck714
Thread Starter
Intermediate
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Canuck714
Hey guys,

I am not an older Gen guy (im a C5 Z and Porsche guy)
But I have always kept an eye out for the right C2 or C3. Anyway, while looking at a split bumper I uncovered a 74 big block 4 spd.

First, is there a way to decipher the vin here on the forum.
Second... Isnt that the last year BB? I cant imagine there was a ton of LS4 454 4 speeds at the end of the run.

Any help would be appreciated.

Zach
Well I got the vin deciphered... its a 454 4speed vin. Waiting on engine and body tags
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2014 | 09:11 PM
  #3  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Z,
It appears about 3500 big block cars were built in 1974.
Regards,
Alan
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2014 | 09:38 PM
  #4  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Originally Posted by Canuck714
Well I got the vin deciphered... its a 454 4speed vin. Waiting on engine and body tags
There's nothing in the VIN that indicates auto or manual transmission. As Alan said, there were just under 3500 big blocks built in '74.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 12:30 PM
  #5  
Canuck714's Avatar
Canuck714
Thread Starter
Intermediate
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Mike Ward
There's nothing in the VIN that indicates auto or manual transmission. As Alan said, there were just under 3500 big blocks built in '74.
Right...Thanks
Im waiting for pictures of all the tags to see if the CWM shows up on the engine and M21 on Trim tag.
At least the car had a big block from the factory...lol

So if 3500 BB blocks were made, is there any way to know how many were 4 spd cars??
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 12:41 PM
  #6  
Mike Ward's Avatar
Mike Ward
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Default

Originally Posted by Canuck714
Right...Thanks
Im waiting for pictures of all the tags to see if the CWM shows up on the engine and M21 on Trim tag.
At least the car had a big block from the factory...lol

So if 3500 BB blocks were made, is there any way to know how many were 4 spd cars??
There is no transmission info on the trim tag- only body and interior colour and trim tag stamping date. The options info would be on a paper sticker glued to the top of the gas tank.

GM did not keep stats of how many cars were built with which combos of options.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 03:37 PM
  #7  
LeMans Pete's Avatar
LeMans Pete
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Default

Engine suffix CWT would also work for a 454 4-speed.

If you want to determine if its an M20 or M21, you'll have to look at the transmission stamp. An "A" after the stamp would designate M20, a "B" would designate M21.

If the seller is claiming it is an M21, I would make it a requirement to see the transmission stamps. Even more so if he is claiming it is original and you are paying this premium.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2014 | 03:38 PM
  #8  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Canuck714
...if 3500 BB blocks were made, is there any way to know how many were 4 spd cars?...
No. GM did not keep documentation of options combinations.

CWM indicates a Corvette big block for a four speed car not going to California.

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 26, 2014 | 12:00 PM
  #9  
Canuck714's Avatar
Canuck714
Thread Starter
Intermediate
10 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Easy Mike
No. GM did not keep documentation of options combinations.

CWM indicates a Corvette big block for a four speed car not going to California.


Well I wish I had better news to report, but it turns out that the seller was not forthcoming with the pictures I requested of engine and trans stamps.... Oh well, Im sure that his numbers matching car will sell somewhere...lol

Sad thing is, I didnt care if it was a numbers matching 454 4spd. But I did want to see what 454 and what trans was in the car. Buying a car out of state you kinda want some integrity from the seller. Guess I live in a dream world..
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2014 | 12:40 PM
  #10  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by Canuck714
...Buying a car out of state you kinda want some integrity from the seller. Guess I live in a dream world...
Not really, but look at it this way: you're out of state and you want what he has for sale. He possibly does not need to sell out of state. I'm not saying your request for pics was unreasonable, but the fellow standing in the seller's drive way that morning looking at the car may not have been concerned with numbers.

Good luck on the next one.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To VIN Help





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:19 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE