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I just bought a 75 convertible. The VIN indicates it is a coup. I really don't care one way or the other but I am curious if there is a VIN number stamped on the frame somewhere. I don't plan on selling this car as it's my retirement toy.
The VIN is also stamped on the frame inside the driver side rear wheel arch. A Google search should show some examples of the location.
Even faster, if you suspect you have an original engine, the VIN derivative should be on the engine pad, along with code ending in a 3-letter suffix starting with "C". I think the VIN derivative would be 15S405371, if your engine is original to the car. http://corvettec3.ca/engines.htm
Converting C3s to convertibles was popular for 76-82 cars. Perhaps yours was converted, too.
BTW, your car was originally Steel Blue Metallic with a silver leather interior. But it looks great in red, too! http://corvettec3.ca/interior.htm
There are other documented cars with a mismatch of body style to VIN tag. It's not super common but I know I've read about them here or on the NCRS forum. Do you have the blue sticker on the end of the driver's door above the latch mechanism? No worries as long as your metal VIN tag matches the blue sticker's VIN.
Bikespace I appreciate the info. I also saw that it was originally steel blue. The silver leather interior looks original. Motor was replaced in 2013 by the guy I bought it from. It now has a 350 vortec 330 hp, so the engine VIN won't help.
I just bought a 75 convertible. The VIN indicates it is a coup. I really don't care one way or the other but I am curious if there is a VIN number stamped on the frame somewhere. I don't plan on selling this car as it's my retirement toy.
I have a 75 coupe #’s matching .. 37 is for coupe 67 is for convertible.. J is for base motor T is for L82 hope that helps.
Stampings on the frame, the block, and the transmission are all 9 character VIN derivatives. They do not contain a "37" or "67" designation denoting coupe or convertible. The only place the full 13 character VIN appears is on the pillar (as the OP noted) and on the blue certification label at the rear of the driver's door above the latch (as 67:72 noted).
pharri33, great looking car! Please post a picture of your blue certification label. 1975 BW M-21
Last edited by '73and'75; May 3, 2022 at 08:32 PM.
Stampings on the frame, the block, and the transmission are all 9 character VIN derivatives. They do not contain a "37" or "67" designation denoting coupe or convertible. The only place the full 13 character VIN appears is on the pillar (as the OP noted) and on the blue certification label at the rear of the driver's door above the latch (as 67:72 noted).
pharri33, great looking car! Please post a picture of your blue certification label. 1975 BW M-21
Yes, of course. The point was not to confirm that the car is a coupe or a convertible. It was to prove that the VIN was (likely) original to the car. Perhaps a convertible got repaired, and a coupe windshield frame and VIN was used. But since the engine has been replaced, the easy way won't work.
What remains that I am aware of are the tank sticker, the sticker at the end of the door, the frame stamp, and the partial VIN on the transmission.(thanks @resdoggie for that suggestion!).
Steel Blue with a Silver Interior. I would like it either coupe or convertible. Steel Blue is a rare color and with Silver interior even more so. Good luck with the mystery.
Yes, of course. The point was not to confirm that the car is a coupe or a convertible. It was to prove that the VIN was (likely) original to the car. Perhaps a convertible got repaired, and a coupe windshield frame and VIN was used. But since the engine has been replaced, the easy way won't work.
What remains that I am aware of are the tank sticker, the sticker at the end of the door, the frame stamp, and the partial VIN on the transmission.(thanks @resdoggie for that suggestion!).
Sorry Bikespace, I misunderstood the OP's original question. I thought the intent of his post was to determine if his pillar post VIN tag was a mismatch to the body style as 67:72 pointed out, as opposed to a VIN tag replacement or a swap. Sorry for the confusion.
Either way it would be nice to hear back from the OP.
Vin?
