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Hi everyone! I'm looking into buying a frame-off restored 69 Coupe with matching numbers 350/300 hp & 4-speed, but I'm hesitant because the car has a VIN number that would normally indicate it's a Convertible (see attached photos). The owner tells me that this happened at the factory due to the worker's strike in '69.
Could this be true? Has anyone heard of this happening to some '69 Vettes? And if so, where or who could give me some documentation/proof that backs this up? If this is true, is the car worth more since it's more rare? Or could this just be a case of the previous owner restored a convertible but bought a new coupe shell to replace the old one?
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by Alex Mariano; 08-16-2018 at 04:41 PM.
Reason: Spelling error
Hi Alex,
Welcome to the forum.
While there are many anomalies with Corvettes. This one seems a little more than odd. I would be curious to remove the driver's A pillar trim and have a better look at that VIN tag.
Greg
Hi Alex,
Welcome to the forum.
While there are many anomalies with Corvettes. This one seems a little more than odd. I would be curious to remove the driver's A pillar trim and have a better look at that VIN tag.
Greg
Thanks Greg! But, once I do that, what exactly should I be looking for?
Thanks Greg! But, once I do that, what exactly should I be looking for?
I'm thinking he was maybe referring to the rivets holding the vin tag on (they are specific 'star' style rivets)? If the vin tag was removed from the original vert body, it might have been attached with standard rivets.
I'm thinking he was maybe referring to the rivets holding the vin tag on (they are specific 'star' style rivets)? If the vin tag was removed from the original vert body, it might have been attached with standard rivets.
Here you go! The build date matches as well (October 1969)
These do seem like standard rivets. What can we conclude from this?
Last edited by Alex Mariano; 08-16-2018 at 05:45 PM.
The workers strike was in April and would have NOTHING to do with this car.
The story the owner told you is crap. If this is a legitimate mistake (which I HIGHLY doubt) its hard to believe nobody at the factory noticed it before it left the floor. There is also a price difference between a coupe and convert. How did the dealer sell it with a mistake like that? It would have went back to be corrected in 1969.
Would the car be worth more because its rare? No. You need two things to increase value. One is rarity, the other is desirability. Each one alone does not increase value. Air is desirable, but since its free its not worth much until you don't have any. 3 speed manual is a very rare option for 69 but nobody wants it, so it does not increase the value of a 69, it actually lowers it.
This car has a serious problem that I would not want to go anywhere near it.
Hi everyone! I'm looking into buying a frame-off restored 69 Coupe with matching numbers 350/300 hp & 4-speed, but I'm hesitant because the car has a VIN number that would normally indicate it's a Convertible (see attached photos). The owner tells me that this happened at the factory due to the worker's strike in '69.
Could this be true? Has anyone heard of this happening to some '69 Vettes? And if so, where or who could give me some documentation/proof that backs this up? If this is true, is the car worth more since it's more rare? Or could this just be a case of the previous owner restored a convertible but bought a new coupe shell to replace the old one?
Thanks in advance!
I have a hard time believing this is a "chopped" car, since all the drivetrain numbers match. It did go through a frame-off restoration 5 years ago, and I saw some pics of that. The only thing that's not original is the color...it was originally Tuxedo Black, but repainted red during the restoration.
Since everything else matches, I'm assuming this car USED TO BE a convertible (from the factory), then 1 of 2 things happened...
1-During the restoration (most likely to cut costs), I'm assuming the owner bought another shell, either a new aftermarket one without a VIN, or a used one from a donor car, and he just switched VINs.
2- This was a badly accidented car, declared scrap, re-bought from the insurance company, redone with a new shell (coupe instead of convertible), and then re-titled.
Very strange they would paint it a non original red when a true 900 black 1969 is very rare. Last year for black being offered for a number of years. Something does not add up.
I had a 69 I was judging at a NCRS meet this year. The trim plate was completely wrong. It had paint and trim codes from 71 I believe. But all numbers matches somehow. But it was very apparent the trim and vin plates had been removed at one time.
First off I admit I don't know much about cars, but It seems to me that Chevrolet would be committing fraud selling a car that doesn't match the vin number? 37 versus 67 isn't much but it is a big difference to the owner, state and insurance company.
...The owner tells me that this happened at the factory due to the worker's strike in '69...
Which means the seller does not know much of anything about this car or is intentionally not telling you the rest of the story. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and speculate he bought the car without detecting the anomaly and is now making excuses .
Very strange they would paint it a non original red when a true 900 black 1969 is very rare. Last year for black being offered for a number of years. Something does not add up.
I had a 69 I was judging at a NCRS meet this year. The trim plate was completely wrong. It had paint and trim codes from 71 I believe. But all numbers matches somehow. But it was very apparent the trim and vin plates had been removed at one time.
Joey
I would look for any signs of the original black paint to see if matches the 900 paint code.
I agree, Look for signs of black paint. I have a feeling someone was moving plates around. I would like to see the engine stamp. I have a feeling it has been changed as well to match.
I agree, Look for signs of black paint. I have a feeling someone was moving plates around. I would like to see the engine stamp. I have a feeling it has been changed as well to match.
Joey
Here's a pic of the engine stamp, Joey. What do you make of it?
With all the responses I've received, unless something miraculous happens and I get proof the seller's story is legit, I'm definitely not buying this car. I'd still love more feedback & input if anyone has any to give.
A big thank you to everyone for all their help & advice. It's great to see so many people looking out for others, even strangers. God bless!
08-16-2018, 04:37 PM
69 Coupe with a Convertible VIN # from factory?
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