Blizzard of 79

So I recently bought a 79 C3 and I am trying to figure out what has happened with my VIN.

The VIN on the window post is 1Z87L9S400202

Based on what I can tell the 5th digit should be an 8 for the L48 motor not an L as it would have been pre 79. But it's an 1979 because of the 6th digit being a 9 correct? It is a pretty early car in the year so maybe someone screwed up and punched a L in instead of an 8 out of habit from 78? Any ideas on what to do?

Thanks

gbvette62

VIN 202 was likely built the second or third day production, so I guess it's possible the plant was still using "L" and "4", not "8" and "4"? I've never seen or heard of this happening, but that's the only explanation I can come up with.

bradleyb66

Welcome to the forum! We love vin mysteries!

Have you verified the vin that is stamped on the frame to see if it matches?

Blizzard of 79

I have not, is the only place to verify on the rear frame rail near the tire?

bradleyb66

Yeah, that's the location (drivers side, top of the frame rail). You'll need a mirror, and will probably have to get a small wire brush in there to clean off the dirt and grime...

Easy Mike

FWIW: The frame stamps are VIN derivatives and not complete VINs, same as the VIN derivative stamp on the engine block. There won't be an engine code.

Compare the VIN on the vehicle certification label with the VIN tag. Might be interesting to see if the label shows an 8.

bradleyb66

Hmmm, I didn't realize that. How much of the VIN is stamped on the frame?

Blizzard of 79

Is the certification label on the door jam? Has the paint codes etc?

Thanks

Sean

Easy Mike

19S4xxxxx with the Xs being your consecutive unit number.

No. It's the printed paper label on the rear of the door.

Blizzard of 79

The door label has the correct VIN with the 8 not the L

7T1vette

Whoever typed in the VIN for the post had a brain-fart and typed the code for the 1978 car (for that 5th digit). There's no question about that. Start of new model year and the guy just came back from vacation...maybe still hung-over???

It happens....

If someone on the Forum has another early 1979 L-48 car around the same S/N, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that it also had an "L" in that digit.