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

About the VIN code

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2022 | 09:55 AM
  #1  
Yuichi Ishitomi's Avatar
Yuichi Ishitomi
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: JAPAN
Default

Hey, guys.
I have a question about the VIN.
If the VIN on the frame of the car is different from the VIN on the driver's pillar, should I suspect the car is stolen? I believe the VIN is correct for a 71.


Last edited by Yuichi Ishitomi; May 4, 2022 at 06:28 PM.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 10:05 AM
  #2  
71 Green 454's Avatar
71 Green 454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Default

The vin tag is for a 1969 Coupe.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 10:31 AM
  #3  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,038
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by 71 Green 454
The vin tag is for a 1969 Coupe.
Built in Dec. '69 in Riverside Gold...
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 10:44 AM
  #4  
Yuichi Ishitomi's Avatar
Yuichi Ishitomi
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: JAPAN
Default

Originally Posted by SEVNT6
:同意する: Built in Dec. '69 in Riverside Gold...
Then is it correct in 69 years? Is the front fender flare replaced?
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 11:06 AM
  #5  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,038
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Your VIN & trim tag match a '69. Not sure what you mean about the flare.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 11:11 AM
  #6  
Yuichi Ishitomi's Avatar
Yuichi Ishitomi
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: JAPAN
Default

Originally Posted by SEVNT6
Your VIN & trim tag match a '69. Not sure what you mean about the flare.

This is the difference
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 11:23 AM
  #7  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

the frame can legally be changed. could it possibly be a stolen 71 with a 69 vin and trim tag? always possible. what vin is on the title? pics of your car?
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 12:01 PM
  #8  
71 Green 454's Avatar
71 Green 454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Default

Originally Posted by Yuichi Ishitomi
Then is it correct in 69 years? Is the front fender flare replaced?
You have a beautiful 1971 Black Coupe! Does the driver's door still have the blue sticker? Is there a vin stamp on the engine and transmission?











Last edited by 71 Green 454; May 6, 2022 at 09:06 AM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Michael S. Palmer
Old May 4, 2022 | 12:12 PM
  #9  
ddawson's Avatar
ddawson
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,739
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Default

If the black coup is the car then it looks like the whole body was redone. Even the mirrors are from a later C3.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 12:24 PM
  #10  
vettebuyer6369's Avatar
vettebuyer6369
Administrator
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,996
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Default

They didnt make black cars in 1971, and with the mirror change its obvious the car has at least been painted.

The title will tell you a lot. It will suggest if the body or the frame is changed. It could be stolen or it could have been totaled. Or, the frame could have rusted out from under it. probably one of the 3.

Is the engine original? Theres a VIN stamped there, too.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 01:09 PM
  #11  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

if it is 71 frame, 71 body, 71 grilles and egg crates, 71 mirrors and a 69 vin number, i would feel a little uncomfortable. especially if either motor or trans number match the frame number/ do you own this car or considering it? start researching all the little differences between the 71 and 69. if you do not own this car, do not buy this car. if you already own this car, delete these 2 vin numbers until you know whether or not somebody stuck a 69 vin tag on a 71 and shipped it to japan. i am assuming your paperwork matches the vin under the windshield?
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 02:22 PM
  #12  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

Hmmm?
There is much going on here Yuichi. Certainly enough to ask some serious questions.
The frame VIN of 1SXXXXXX shows an early February '71 build. Much too early to have the amber turn signal lenses up front, but they could have been changed. So with the fender flares, grills, turn signal lenses, egg crates ans front marker lights, outwardly the car looks more like a 1972 to me. Does the car have the fiber optics light indicators on the console and a pop out rear window? Either way it is definitely not a '69 body (share a picture of the rear side marker lights and exhaust cutouts to confirm this). Trim tag and VIN are correct for 1969.
So while the frame could have been changed for various and legitimate reasons and/or the body could have also been changed for various reasons, it is just too hard to explain why both would be changed yet still retain the 1969 VIN plate and trim tag.
Does the title match the VIN plate? As other have mentioned here check the engine and transmission stampings to see what info you can glean there.
If this car is already in Japan, I cannot believe it would get through customs with this many obvious issues.









Last edited by Greg; May 5, 2022 at 01:24 PM.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 03:06 PM
  #13  
ralphspears's Avatar
ralphspears
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 991
From: MA
Default

Greg, All customs does is does the VIN on the car match the title . OK clear ship it !!!!!!
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 03:17 PM
  #14  
ralphspears's Avatar
ralphspears
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 991
From: MA
Default

I was involved with this car in a previous thread a while back. the emissions label on the firewall is missing ...blue label on drivers door jamb missing not original trans or engine no rosette rivets on vin plate i had him check the dates on the glass ( late 1970 dates) pulled up sill plates it was ontaio orange, told him where to look for the frame vin only way to find the real story is run both vin''s 1969 & 1971 Stolen 1971 car with 1969 trim tag and matching vin plate that is my opinion, Do you really think anyone in customs would know the difference from a 1969 body style and a 1971 body style ?
The winshield was replaced so they could change the vin tag
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 03:27 PM
  #15  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

most likely scenario. . ralph. i assume the car was in the us then?

Last edited by derekderek; May 4, 2022 at 04:02 PM.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 03:47 PM
  #16  
ralphspears's Avatar
ralphspears
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 991
From: MA
Default

That is like someone presents a 1971 Chevrolet pickup truck with a 1969 vin plate on it to customs for export do you think the customs agent would know the difference ?
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 03:51 PM
  #17  
ralphspears's Avatar
ralphspears
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,966
Likes: 991
From: MA
Default

No he posted about this a year or so back it was in Japan
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To About the VIN code

Old May 4, 2022 | 05:08 PM
  #18  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

You may be right Ralph. I guess I'm just used to a little more thorough check by U.S. customs when importing a car.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 06:57 PM
  #19  
Yuichi Ishitomi's Avatar
Yuichi Ishitomi
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: JAPAN
Default

I have heard about VIN before.
The place I bought my car from seems to have sold other questionable cars.

So I have been collecting evidence with those people for about a year and now I heard about it again.
Reply
Old May 4, 2022 | 08:55 PM
  #20  
Greg's Avatar
Greg
Just another Corvette guy
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Default

Yuichi,
Can you address the questions I posted please?
Greg
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:38 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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