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What is on the driver's windshield pillar where the GM VIN was originally attached? I'd like to see a pic.
Follow 4-vette's advice above to locate the frame's GM VIN.
I forgot about the Gymkhana suspension was a steel spring. If it is a Gymkhana suspension car it should have a rear sway bar. Can't tell from the picture.
The VIN tag and number is a state issued VIN, in this case by Missouri, it is not a GM VIN. State VIN's are usually issued to recovered theft cars, where the original VIN was removed and/or destroyed by the thief. State VIN's have been issued for other reasons, like a reconstructed wreck or when the original VIN tag was lost for some legitimate reason, but theft recoveries are probably the most common. Unlike the original GM VIN, a state issue VIN rarely has any correlation to the car's year of manufacture. It's quite possible the car is titled as an 86, because that was the year Missouri re-titled the car????
The the glass tops are PPG's, so they're not OEM or original to the car. The second glass pictured appears to be the rear window, and is dated "AV", which is September 82. The third glass pictured looks like it might be the windshield (?), is marked "YJ", and decodes as October 78.
The rear under the car is clearly an 80-82 Corvette rear. While 82's did have a fiberglass single leaf rear spring, as stated above, it was only used with the base suspension. 82's with the optional Gymkhana suspension used a steel multi leaf spring. 80 Corvettes all used a steel multi leaf spring, automatic 81's came with the fiberglass spring too, but 4 speed and Gymkhana suspension 81's, also used the steel multi leaf spring.
The suspension is clearly from an 80-82 Corvette, the interior is from a late (Bowling Green built) 81 or 82, and the glass is a mix of various years, but there's a good chance the rear window is original. Without looking the car over for things like the fuel pump, trans or frame VIN stamp, I'd guess the car may be an 82.
Do you know what trans is in the car? 81's used a three speed auto and the console shift indicator is marked P-R-N-3-2-1, while the 82 came with an overdrive 4 speed automatic, and the shift indicator was marked P-R-N-D-3-2. There was no "1", or first gear on the 82 shift indicator.
a lot of information here to go through. I’ll grab more info on the pillar stamp as asked for below. For now it looks a lot like an 81. The console shift indicator is marked P-R-N-3-2-1. Really weird the windshield indicates an older year than the posible original rear glass.
Many cars go through windshields so a non-original windshield wouldn't surprise me. A few more thing you can check. Look in the battery box and look to see if it has a ECM. If it does count the number of wires going to the ECM. The 82 CFI has 42 wires going to the ECM. The 81 has far less wires going to the ECM. The 80 doesn't have a ECM except ones sold in California. They the 81 ECM setup but with the 3.07 axle ratio. Also 82 the tachometer says "crossfire" on it. I hear guys on this forum talking about a build sheet on the gas tank. Try looking there. You may even find the original VIN number.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Jan 4, 2023 at 10:07 PM.
On the 81 and 82 the driver's side floor pan (under the seat) is significantly lower than the passenger side (to accommodate the power seats). If the floors are even you've got an 80. If not 81 or 82. The rear window defroster switch is also different between 80 and 81/82. It's much smaller in 80.
I believe that the Gymkhana springs in the 81/82 were 7 leaf springs and this one looks like a 9 leaf. However the are easily changed.
The story is becoming more clear, but I have a scheduled corvette shop apt in April to get down to the real bottom...
Anway, the story now goes (from gramps)..
It was built in 86 in Missouri at a custom shop with a mold they only used a couple times and then destroyed. Comprised of mostly parts from 84-86 corvettes my grandfather claims the engine was modified to produce 470 hp. Still not sure which version of the engine this is as I cannot find a plate anywhere.
The non-standard VIN was a tag taken from a mercury apparently and officially registered that way.. still unclear how that process worked, but my next plan is to submit a question to the Missouri DMV.
My grandfather was told at the time the custom build was worth $40k based on parts and performance in 1986. When I told him I was thinking about selling it rather than putting $5k+ into getting the mechanics in order (not willing to put $5k more into paint...).
Now that I know the story, and that this thing is a true mut, its making me want to keep it and at least make it mechanically sound for a few years. I wont invest in paint beyond some fiberglass repairs maybe.
VERY interested in the corvette mechanics evaluation in April!
No offense to your grandfather, but I'm not sure how well he remembers the history of the car.
There's no doubt the VIN was issued by Missouri, and did not come from a Mercury or any other car. First off, it is illegal under Federal law to move a VIN from one car to another, and no state DMV would ever do or approve of something like that. Secondly, there are not enough digits in the VIN, to have come off of any production car. Prior to 1980, all cars had a 13 digit VIN number, and since 80 they've all had 18 digit VIN's. Third, the VIN tag says on it that it is an "Assigned Identification Number" from the Missouri "Department of Revenue", which means the VIN was created by, and assigned to the car, by the Missouri Dept of Revenue, and is not a VIN issued by an automobile manufacturer.
I wonder about the body being built from custom molds too. The body work is typical of the custom fiberglass wide body kits that have been available since the mid 70's from companies like Greenwood, Ecklers and American Custom Industries. The car's bodywork is pretty much identical to the Greenwood Turbo GT body that first came out in the late 70's, and was available from both Greenwood and Ecklers.
Does your grandfather remember the name of the shop that built it? If the shop's still around, someone there may remember the car. Let us know what you you learn from the DMV.
Your Gramps story doesn't make sense. Go get the VIN from the top of frame near the driver's side rear tire. Once we have that VIN we can chase down other avenues. Your statements did not make anything clearer. If anything it would imply some sort of chop-shop action but I don't they'd bother to get a State issued VIN.
Just get the number as stated above and we can start with that.
As I posted earlier,
Take all your documentation to your local DMV and run a VIN and license plate history on the car.
They will tell you what it is registered as, when this VIN plate was assigned and if it corresponds to the plates on the car.
I would be willing to bet it’s registered as some type special construction vehicle and may be documented as a Corvette.
As long as all the documentation corresponds and it’s legally registered, who cares what the original GM VIN plate says it is.
Drive it, enjoy it and tell your grandpa’s story as he remembers it.
That's an 80-82 C3 Corvette birdcage and interior on an 80-82 C3 chassis with some Greenwood-looking body panels. The engine might even be original. I bet the original car was wrecked and totaled, and it was rebuilt in 1986 with a new state-issued VIN. I don't see any paint on that water pump, perhaps it was in a fire. So what? It's super cool, and if you can sort out the paperwork, you'll have an awesome car to drive around.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole, the VIN may be on the frame, inside the left rear wheel well. The engine, and transmission, if original, will have the partial VIN, and the 3 letter code will have enough info to tell you the year and original engine configuration. Again, if original.
Details are here, if you want to do some sleuthing: http://corvettec3.ca/engines.htm
The overall site has lots of other codes to check, including a VIN decoder (to decypher the partial, if you find one). http://corvettec3.ca/
I didn't see any indication of any C4 parts on this car, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. A similar build is going on right now on this Forum. I think the entire rear suspension of a C4 is being used in a Greenwood C3. There are lots of side-by-side photos of both chassis. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-build.html
No offense to your grandfather, but I'm not sure how well he remembers the history of the car.
There's no doubt the VIN was issued by Missouri, and did not come from a Mercury or any other car. First off, it is illegal under Federal law to move a VIN from one car to another, and no state DMV would ever do or approve of something like that. Secondly, there are not enough digits in the VIN, to have come off of any production car. Prior to 1980, all cars had a 13 digit VIN number, and since 80 they've all had 18 digit VIN's. Third, the VIN tag says on it that it is an "Assigned Identification Number" from the Missouri "Department of Revenue", which means the VIN was created by, and assigned to the car, by the Missouri Dept of Revenue, and is not a VIN issued by an automobile manufacturer.
I wonder about the body being built from custom molds too. The body work is typical of the custom fiberglass wide body kits that have been available since the mid 70's from companies like Greenwood, Ecklers and American Custom Industries. The car's bodywork is pretty much identical to the Greenwood Turbo GT body that first came out in the late 70's, and was available from both Greenwood and Ecklers.
Does your grandfather remember the name of the shop that built it? If the shop's still around, someone there may remember the car. Let us know what you you learn from the DMV.
He doesnt remember the shop, and I agree with you but its what he is telling me so thats all I have to go on from him at least.
Originally Posted by carriljc
Your Gramps story doesn't make sense. Go get the VIN from the top of frame near the driver's side rear tire. Once we have that VIN we can chase down other avenues. Your statements did not make anything clearer. If anything it would imply some sort of chop-shop action but I don't they'd bother to get a State issued VIN.
Just get the number as stated above and we can start with that.
Originally Posted by OldCarBum
As I posted earlier,
Take all your documentation to your local DMV and run a VIN and license plate history on the car.
They will tell you what it is registered as, when this VIN plate was assigned and if it corresponds to the plates on the car.
I would be willing to bet it’s registered as some type special construction vehicle and may be documented as a Corvette.
As long as all the documentation corresponds and it’s legally registered, who cares what the original GM VIN plate says it is.
Drive it, enjoy it and tell your grandpa’s story as he remembers it.
Unfortunately the Maryland DMV is not helpful, they get beyond confused when asked to do anything outside of normal daily DMV tasks. When I titled it here they didnt even care about the short VIN. Even the supervisor came over and said "I dont know, just title it" lol. I will reach out to Missouri DMV.
I am still planning to get the VIN next time this thing is in a shop, I dont have the ability to jack it up in my garage unfortunately. Earliest I could get into an actual corvette specialist is april...
Originally Posted by Bikespace
Drive it and enjoy it!
That's an 80-82 C3 Corvette birdcage and interior on an 80-82 C3 chassis with some Greenwood-looking body panels. The engine might even be original. I bet the original car was wrecked and totaled, and it was rebuilt in 1986 with a new state-issued VIN. I don't see any paint on that water pump, perhaps it was in a fire. So what? It's super cool, and if you can sort out the paperwork, you'll have an awesome car to drive around.
If you want to go down the rabbit hole, the VIN may be on the frame, inside the left rear wheel well. The engine, and transmission, if original, will have the partial VIN, and the 3 letter code will have enough info to tell you the year and original engine configuration. Again, if original.
Details are here, if you want to do some sleuthing: http://corvettec3.ca/engines.htm
The overall site has lots of other codes to check, including a VIN decoder (to decypher the partial, if you find one). http://corvettec3.ca/
I didn't see any indication of any C4 parts on this car, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. A similar build is going on right now on this Forum. I think the entire rear suspension of a C4 is being used in a Greenwood C3. There are lots of side-by-side photos of both chassis. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-build.html
I did see that thread and I could only wish to do the same!
I've not seen any reply to the question about what is present on the driver's windshield pillar where the original VIN plate was riveted. There should be a cut-out in the interior trim about 1/3 of the way up the pillar, viewable through the windshield from outside the car.
Originally Posted by dmercer3
I am still planning to get the VIN next time this thing is in a shop, I dont have the ability to jack it up in my garage unfortunately. Earliest I could get into an actual corvette specialist is april...
Whenever you get to looking, have a flashlight and a brass "toothbrush" at hand. The number is stamped into the top of the driver rear wheel well frame rail and there's only an inch, or a tad more, between the rail and the underside of the fiberglass. This area accumulates a lot of road dirt, rust, etc. and the brush will help clear off the surface to reveal the indented characters. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1605551308 https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1574545465
You shouldn't have to wait 5 months to sort this out.
The engine stamp pad is under AC compressor, just above the starboard side water pump outlet, where the head meets the block. You should be able to see it, and take a picture, without taking it to a shop.
If it is a Corvette engine, you can immediately decypher the rest of the VIN info. Doesn't mean the engine matches the car, but it probably does. Or it will be from a C4 Corvette, and that part of the mystery will be solved.
1980 VIN Range - 1Z878AS400001 to 1Z878AS440614
1981 VIN Range - 1G1AY8764BS400001 to 1G1AY8764BS431611 (St Louis Plant)
1981 VIN Range - 1G1AY8764B5100001 to 1G1AY8764B5108995 (Bowling Green Plant)
If it is a 1980 L48 automatic (for example) the engine stamp will say:
V0xxxZAK (V for Flint, ZAK for L48 Auto)
7AS4xxxxx (A is for 1980)
I've not seen any reply to the question about what is present on the driver's windshield pillar where the original VIN plate was riveted. There should be a cut-out in the interior trim about 1/3 of the way up the pillar, viewable through the windshield from outside the car.
Whenever you get to looking, have a flashlight and a brass "toothbrush" at hand. The number is stamped into the top of the driver rear wheel well frame rail and there's only an inch, or a tad more, between the rail and the underside of the fiberglass. This area accumulates a lot of road dirt, rust, etc. and the brush will help clear off the surface to reveal the indented characters. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1605551308 https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1574545465
Sorry I forgot to respond to that one. It’s been cut off….
Looking more and more like a salvage build.
as for the Frame vin. I tried to get under there. Couldn’t see it but I need to take the wheel off now anyway as the brand new tire has a bulge, replacement ordered for next weekend
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