VIN decoder
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 9
From: Duncan, BC, Canada
VIN decoder
Anyone else have trouble with the decoder on this site? I have the complete paper history and numbers on car and paper trail line up . The decoder doesn’t recognize it. Seems strange.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
The long (17-character) VINs did not come until 1981. The earlier 13-character VINs do not work with the decoders and contain very little information by comparison. See here for an example of what you can get from pre-81' VINs.
You can order copies of invoices (includes options) for '77+ C3s from the GM Media Archive; otherwise the build sheet glued to the top of the fuel tank (the "tank sticker") is your only possible way to find the original build of your car.
You can order copies of invoices (includes options) for '77+ C3s from the GM Media Archive; otherwise the build sheet glued to the top of the fuel tank (the "tank sticker") is your only possible way to find the original build of your car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
What site and why do you need a decoder? With the exception of an engine code in applicable years, there is no option information in the VIN. The earlier C3 VINs will not work in Carfax and similar sites.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 9
From: Duncan, BC, Canada
The long (17-character) VINs did not come until 1981. The earlier 13-character VINs do not work with the decoders and contain very little information by comparison. See here for an example of what you can get from pre-81' VINs.
You can order copies of invoices (includes options) for '77+ C3s from the GM Media Archive; otherwise the build sheet glued to the top of the fuel tank (the "tank sticker") is your only possible way to find the original build of your car.
You can order copies of invoices (includes options) for '77+ C3s from the GM Media Archive; otherwise the build sheet glued to the top of the fuel tank (the "tank sticker") is your only possible way to find the original build of your car.
Thankyou for the info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
Williamhibberd:
It always helps if you include the year in your messages or at least include in your public profile. Looks like a '78 Silver Anniversary edition in the photo but I can't be sure.
Anyhow the only suspension option for later C3s was the Gymkhana. The standard rear spring until '81 was metal and composed of 9 leaves; Gymkhana used a metal spring with 7 leaves for all years. The front anti-sway bar with the base suspension is 7/8" diameter; 1 1/8" for the Gymkhana. The base suspension has no rear anti-sway bar; the Gymkhana has a small rear antisway bar that is easy to miss as it routs up high. The Gymkhana also used higher rate front coil springs but unless the original tags on the springs are present (and legible) you can't tell simply by looking. The Gymkhana also used "heavy-duty" shocks but they're almost certain to be long gone. If you find the 7-leaf rear spring, beefy front anti-sway bar and rear anti-sway bar you can be fairly certain it had the Gymkhana option. Obviously the Gymkhana suspension has a much firmer ride and extremely little body roll when cornering but unless you have access to cars with both suspensions in excellent condition (think rebuilt due merely to age) you can't go by road feel/handling.
It always helps if you include the year in your messages or at least include in your public profile. Looks like a '78 Silver Anniversary edition in the photo but I can't be sure.
Anyhow the only suspension option for later C3s was the Gymkhana. The standard rear spring until '81 was metal and composed of 9 leaves; Gymkhana used a metal spring with 7 leaves for all years. The front anti-sway bar with the base suspension is 7/8" diameter; 1 1/8" for the Gymkhana. The base suspension has no rear anti-sway bar; the Gymkhana has a small rear antisway bar that is easy to miss as it routs up high. The Gymkhana also used higher rate front coil springs but unless the original tags on the springs are present (and legible) you can't tell simply by looking. The Gymkhana also used "heavy-duty" shocks but they're almost certain to be long gone. If you find the 7-leaf rear spring, beefy front anti-sway bar and rear anti-sway bar you can be fairly certain it had the Gymkhana option. Obviously the Gymkhana suspension has a much firmer ride and extremely little body roll when cornering but unless you have access to cars with both suspensions in excellent condition (think rebuilt due merely to age) you can't go by road feel/handling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,746
Likes: 1,387
this website will tell you about reported damage/theft and works even for older VINs. https://www.nicb.org/vincheck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 9
From: Duncan, BC, Canada
Williamhibberd:
It always helps if you include the year in your messages or at least include in your public profile. Looks like a '78 Silver Anniversary edition in the photo but I can't be sure.
Anyhow the only suspension option for later C3s was the Gymkhana. The standard rear spring until '81 was metal and composed of 9 leaves; Gymkhana used a metal spring with 7 leaves for all years. The front anti-sway bar with the base suspension is 7/8" diameter; 1 1/8" for the Gymkhana. The base suspension has no rear anti-sway bar; the Gymkhana has a small rear antisway bar that is easy to miss as it routs up high. The Gymkhana also used higher rate front coil springs but unless the original tags on the springs are present (and legible) you can't tell simply by looking. The Gymkhana also used "heavy-duty" shocks but they're almost certain to be long gone. If you find the 7-leaf rear spring, beefy front anti-sway bar and rear anti-sway bar you can be fairly certain it had the Gymkhana option. Obviously the Gymkhana suspension has a much firmer ride and extremely little body roll when cornering but unless you have access to cars with both suspensions in excellent condition (think rebuilt due merely to age) you can't go by road feel/handling.
It always helps if you include the year in your messages or at least include in your public profile. Looks like a '78 Silver Anniversary edition in the photo but I can't be sure.
Anyhow the only suspension option for later C3s was the Gymkhana. The standard rear spring until '81 was metal and composed of 9 leaves; Gymkhana used a metal spring with 7 leaves for all years. The front anti-sway bar with the base suspension is 7/8" diameter; 1 1/8" for the Gymkhana. The base suspension has no rear anti-sway bar; the Gymkhana has a small rear antisway bar that is easy to miss as it routs up high. The Gymkhana also used higher rate front coil springs but unless the original tags on the springs are present (and legible) you can't tell simply by looking. The Gymkhana also used "heavy-duty" shocks but they're almost certain to be long gone. If you find the 7-leaf rear spring, beefy front anti-sway bar and rear anti-sway bar you can be fairly certain it had the Gymkhana option. Obviously the Gymkhana suspension has a much firmer ride and extremely little body roll when cornering but unless you have access to cars with both suspensions in excellent condition (think rebuilt due merely to age) you can't go by road feel/handling.
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 9
From: Duncan, BC, Canada
[QUOTE=carriljc;1602408465]this website will tell you about reported damage/theft and works even for older VINs. https://www.nicb.org/vincheck[/QUOTE
Thankyou
Thankyou
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,960
Likes: 4,518
From: Virginia
If you want to dive into the other codes on your car, this site is very helpful.
http://corvettec3.ca/
http://corvettec3.ca/
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
If a 4-speed it's most likely 3.70:1 but a very few (382) had an optional 3.36:1. Those equipped with the L82 engine had an optional close ratio 4-speed transmission.
Given the age of our cars and how often they were and still are modified you can never safely assume anything. That said, the closer the engine and engine compartment are to original the more likely the rest is original as well. If the engine and compartment have been highly modified you really have no idea what is original.
How about some pictures from under the hood?
Last edited by SwampeastMike; Oct 27, 2020 at 04:15 PM. Reason: omitted "California car" stuff--thought OP was from there
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 87
Likes: 9
From: Duncan, BC, Canada
If it's an automatic the rear end ratio is 3.55:1
If a 4-speed it's most likely 3.70:1 but a very few (382) had an optional 3.36:1. Those equipped with the L82 engine had an optional close ratio 4-speed transmission.
Given the age of our cars and how often they were and still are modified you can never safely assume anything. That said, the closer the engine and engine compartment are to original the more likely the rest is original as well. If the engine and compartment have been highly modified you really have no idea what is original.
How about some pictures from under the hood?
If a 4-speed it's most likely 3.70:1 but a very few (382) had an optional 3.36:1. Those equipped with the L82 engine had an optional close ratio 4-speed transmission.
Given the age of our cars and how often they were and still are modified you can never safely assume anything. That said, the closer the engine and engine compartment are to original the more likely the rest is original as well. If the engine and compartment have been highly modified you really have no idea what is original.
How about some pictures from under the hood?
I only have these three on my device but could take more. This was a one owner car before me. It was an estate sale so I have only been able to put together the history by reading through the paper trail. PO kept good records. An honest 91,000 Km car. Engine was rebuilt in 2018 and judging by the cleanliness underneath I don’t think it’s been driven much since the rebuild. Engine compartment is relatively intact. An aluminum rad was installed and unfortunately the dual intake system was jettisoned. I’m guessing it wasn’t an easy fit to the new rad. I will be in the hunt for a replacement at some point. Rebuild was out of province but says .030 over pistons and Comp cam. I may call the shop and get specs on the cam.
interesting to objectively read through someone else’s service history and discover some curious and unscrupulous dealers. PO spent a ridiculous amount of money trying to get tach to work including a new mechanical drive cable (for an electronic tach) and several new batteries in two years. I am pretty pleased with all the new good parts that were installed recently. Over $12000 and purchase price was much less that that.
oh and I have an auto so I guess I’ll have 3.55 final drive.
