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I just took ownership of my grandfathers corvette. It says 1986 on the title but I am starting to think it is wrong.. can I get an opinion on what year you all think this thing is???
I am getting my parents to grab the vin today to see if that helps (its parked at their place for now).
Congratulations, your grandfather built a beautiful car! Based on the side marker lights, since the front end is aftermarket, the car is possibly a1980, 1981 or 1982. If it has cross flow throttle bodies it is a 1982. Was the car involved in an accident?
It says 1986 on the title but I am starting to think it is wrong...
Google 1986 Corvette images and you'll have definitive proof that it's wrong. Nowhere near the same body styling. As Redsoxnation said, it's a very late C3 (C3 is a Corvette generational designation for the major changes in body styling). '86 is a C4. Redsox is also alluding (i think) to a situation where perhaps it is a salvage and had a new VIN and retitled in '86. What is the VIN # on the title?
It appears to be made entirely from Corvette parts made between 1968 and 1982, and some custom bodywork.
Perhaps the original VIN is still visible on the left windshield pillar. Here's a handy VIN decoder. There are lots of other decoders on this site, so check the engine stamp, etc, which, if original, will have a VIN derivative and a 3 letter code indicating the year of manufacture. The trim tag (inside the driver side door opening), will tell you the original colors, and also the car's birthday.
Congratulations, your grandfather built a beautiful car! Based on the side marker lights, since the front end is aftermarket, the car is possibly a1980, 1981 or 1982. If it has cross flow throttle bodies it is a 1982. Was the car involved in an accident?
Originally Posted by 67:72
Google 1986 Corvette images and you'll have definitive proof that it's wrong. Nowhere near the same body styling. As Redsoxnation said, it's a very late C3 (C3 is a Corvette generational designation for the major changes in body styling). '86 is a C4. Redsox is also alluding (i think) to a situation where perhaps it is a salvage and had a new VIN and retitled in '86. What is the VIN # on the title?
When I was doing my 'google image searching' I kept having the same assumption that it could be a greenwood. Not sure the implications of that...
Originally Posted by Bikespace
The title says it's an 86, so it's an 86.
It appears to be made entirely from Corvette parts made between 1968 and 1982, and some custom bodywork.
Perhaps the original VIN is still visible on the left windshield pillar. Here's a handy VIN decoder. There are lots of other decoders on this site, so check the engine stamp, etc, which, if original, will have a VIN derivative and a 3 letter code indicating the year of manufacture. The trim tag (inside the driver side door opening), will tell you the original colors, and also the car's birthday.
I have the car parked at my parents and they say there is no vin in the windshield. The title VIN is DR140387MO, which is obviously non-traditional, even insurance is telling me its not the required length.
So I am now worried maybe it was a salvage??
My grandfather may have purchased this as a second owner in Missouri so I cannot get the full story as he is not able to have these conversations at his stage of health.
Here is the funny part of getting the VIN, the driver door latch seemed to have been broken upon deliver by the truck driver deliverying it or my mother who said she was the last one to close and lock the door. Either way, I am climbing through the passenger door until I can find time to take the door panel off and fix it (from the inside some how)...
Some other things I have to get figured out as well, but it would be nice to at least know what the car is before I start dumping money into it:
1) driver door latch stuck locked
2) hood doesnt latch (and missing passenger side latch on hood)
3) timing was replaced by grandfather last month and now the engine wont shut off after turning off ignition (he also replaced brakes, water pump, harmonic balancer)
4) fiberglass on body is need of extensive repairs and patching, and paint and I am worried that will cost way more than I should be investing
....soo many questions on what I should do with this car. I do love the look, but worried about my knowledge and available time to get this thing is good shape.
I have the car parked at my parents and they say there is no vin in the windshield. The title VIN is DR140387MO, which is obviously non-traditional, even insurance is telling me its not the required length.
So I am now worried maybe it was a salvage??
My grandfather may have purchased this as a second owner in Missouri...
Seems to be a re-VINed car. Could be from a number of scenarios and if salvage, that in itself, is not something to fret over. The MO in the VIN seems to coincide with the Missouri purchase. Is the paper title issued by Missouri? I'd send a request to MO DMV or better yet, visit a field office with title in hand to see if they can provide info.
Seems to be a re-VINed car. Could be from a number of scenarios and if salvage, that in itself, is not something to fret over. The MO in the VIN seems to coincide with the Missouri purchase. Is the paper title issued by Missouri? I'd send a request to MO DMV or better yet, visit a field office with title in hand to see if they can provide info.
I will work on getting more pictures...
The title was a MO issued title which I just turned into MD so I dont have it at the moment.
The VIN ending in MO is a state-issued VIN, for Missouri. If the stock VIN is not in the usual place, There is a state-issued VIN plate riveted someplace. Very often they put them into the driver’s side door jamb in that big open space behind your left elbow when sitting in the car. If its not there, theres a Missouri tag riveted someplace with that number on it that matches your title. Look for it.
The car is a complete custom, either a real Greenwood or more likely a car that was a total and was rebuilt with a bunch of custom and replacement parts. The title might be a re-built or salvage… look closely at the title for this branding. If its not, the title was probably washed in a previous state.
I have the car parked at my parents and they say there is no vin in the windshield. The title VIN is DR140387MO, which is obviously non-traditional, even insurance is telling me its not the required length.
So I am now worried maybe it was a salvage??
My grandfather may have purchased this as a second owner in Missouri so I cannot get the full story as he is not able to have these conversations at his stage of health.
Here is the funny part of getting the VIN, the driver door latch seemed to have been broken upon deliver by the truck driver deliverying it or my mother who said she was the last one to close and lock the door. Either way, I am climbing through the passenger door until I can find time to take the door panel off and fix it (from the inside some how)...
Some other things I have to get figured out as well, but it would be nice to at least know what the car is before I start dumping money into it:
1) driver door latch stuck locked
2) hood doesnt latch (and missing passenger side latch on hood)
3) timing was replaced by grandfather last month and now the engine wont shut off after turning off ignition (he also replaced brakes, water pump, harmonic balancer)
4) fiberglass on body is need of extensive repairs and patching, and paint and I am worried that will cost way more than I should be investing
....soo many questions on what I should do with this car. I do love the look, but worried about my knowledge and available time to get this thing is good shape.
There was zero chance it was still driving around with the original VIN, but there were lots of ways it could have gotten to this point. To remove the VIN from the windshield frame requires removing the windshield (which is often done for birdcage rust repairs). To cover it up, you only need to fill the notch in the A Pillar trim and reinstall. So perhaps it is still there. There is also a hidden trim on the frame (if original), and partial VINs on the engine and transmission (if original), and at the end of the driver side door (some cars only). Hopefully someone can help you get that door open. But start with the engine stamp pad, below the AC compressor, on the block just in front of the passenger side head.
Some pictures of the interior will help identify the year, assuming nothing else has changed there.
The run-on could be several things. But most likely is the throttle plates not closing all the way.
If this is the car you want to adopt, restore, and drive around, it won't matter how much it costs if you do it over time, and you'll learn what you as you go. If you need to farm out every task, this car will quickly become very expensive. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!
There was zero chance it was still driving around with the original VIN, but there were lots of ways it could have gotten to this point. To remove the VIN from the windshield frame requires removing the windshield (which is often done for birdcage rust repairs). To cover it up, you only need to fill the notch in the A Pillar trim and reinstall. So perhaps it is still there. There is also a hidden trim on the frame (if original), and partial VINs on the engine and transmission (if original), and at the end of the driver side door (some cars only). Hopefully someone can help you get that door open. But start with the engine stamp pad, below the AC compressor, on the block just in front of the passenger side head.
Some pictures of the interior will help identify the year, assuming nothing else has changed there.
The run-on could be several things. But most likely is the throttle plates not closing all the way.
If this is the car you want to adopt, restore, and drive around, it won't matter how much it costs if you do it over time, and you'll learn what you as you go. If you need to farm out every task, this car will quickly become very expensive. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!
Thank you for those details.. here is a pic on the interior for year identification??
(yes, I have a lot of cleaning to do...)
Thank you for those details.. here is a pic on the interior for year identification??
(yes, I have a lot of cleaning to do...)
So, everything can be replaced. And early interiors can be swapped for late. But that is certainly a 78-82 interior. Only 81 and 82 had a center console with 5 flat bottomed gauge holes, with an oil temp gauge replacing the clock. The notch at the center top of the radiator frame is from 1982 (Crossfire engine, which your car no longer has).
So, everything can be replaced. And early interiors can be swapped for late. But that is certainly a 78-82 interior. Only 81 and 82 had a center console with 5 flat bottomed gauge holes, with an oil temp gauge replacing the clock. The notch at the center top of the radiator frame is from 1982 (Crossfire engine, which your car no longer has).
So, 82, is my guess, or 81.
Really appreciate your help here!
Just so I know I understood you, are you saying 100% sure that my engine has been replaced due to the notch indicating it was built with a crossfire engine? Do you happen to recognize the type of engine mine now has (im a true novice here).
Just so I know I understood you, are you saying 100% sure that my engine has been replaced due to the notch indicating it was built with a crossfire engine? Do you happen to recognize the type of engine mine now has (im a true novice here).
Everything I said is based on probability and (my) perception of what is easy/likely vs. difficult/unlikely.
Could an early car be updated with a 78-82 interior? Sure! But it's a lot of work for a small gain, so unlikely. Is it possible that the radiator surround was replaced with the entire front clip (or it really is a Greenwood built on-top of an 82), Sure! But that is still unlikely. Is it easy to swap engines in these cars? ABSOLUTELY. Happens every day, and this (to me) is the most likely think to have happened. The much-maligned Crossfire engine was a common target.
You engine looks like a typical SBC. Once you are in front of the car again, please take some more photos with the air cleaner removed. And of the engine stamp pad, which will tell you exactly what is under there. Perhaps the block is from an 86 something, or the car was rebuilt in 1986.
Everything I said is based on probability and (my) perception of what is easy/likely vs. difficult/unlikely.
Could an early car be updated with a 78-82 interior? Sure! But it's a lot of work for a small gain, so unlikely. Is it possible that the radiator surround was replaced with the entire front clip (or it really is a Greenwood built on-top of an 82), Sure! But that is still unlikely. Is it easy to swap engines in these cars? ABSOLUTELY. Happens every day, and this (to me) is the most likely think to have happened. The much-maligned Crossfire engine was a common target.
You engine looks like a typical SBC. Once you are in front of the car again, please take some more photos with the air cleaner removed. And of the engine stamp pad, which will tell you exactly what is under there. Perhaps the block is from an 86 something, or the car was rebuilt in 1986.
You are the proud owner of a Heinz57 car, have fun with it, drive it on weekends or daily drive it. Embrace the uniqueness of the vehicle. It has minimal resale value, it is definitively a salvage car. It is very nice looking.
1986 or something else?
But start with the engine stamp pad, below the AC compressor, on the block just in front of the passenger side head.
