Right. So get samples, and match what's there, if that's the color you want.

The build sheet, trim tag, and VIN will never match, so you are free to do anything! Some folks put dark carpet in cars with light interiors.

 

Long shot, but there is a possibility the gas tank may have been replaced with a used one at some point. I know it's a slim chance but that could explain the build sheet.

 

Also note the ZDA broadcast code is an 81 engine code called out with manual tranny; see box 36 on the buildsheet.
The A42, driver power seat is an 81 option, does not appear to have been offered in 80.
The VIN sequence is the 17 digits begun in 81...production was simultaneously in both St Louis and Bowling Green. It lists St Louis as the assembly plant (buildsheet bottom).
If its the original transmission, it would also be stamped with the VIN derivative...that matches the block stamping!

Looks more like an 81 than an 80! And perhaps while the 642 calls out the Camel, the factory was using Doeskin components as shown on the buildsheet.

I cropped the upper right hand corner that contains the VIN...this is a St Louis assembled vehicle with the 17-digit VIN. The BS is part of the VIN sequence and is the St Louis identifier. The 1 is a check code and precedes the BS.

removed by request of OP

 

So why did the original poster state in post 3 his VIN starts 1Z878AS which is 1980?

 

Gee, I don't know.

If someone asks for you car's VIN, are you going to run out to the garage and drop the fuel tank?

Can I think of a half-dozen easier places to check?
Windshield VIN tag
Registration
Title
Insurance
End of drivers door
Derive from partial VIN on engine
Stamp on chassis inside left rear wheel well
Derive from stamp on transmission

Is 8 enough?

 

I agree but has the owner confirmed the numbers match or is there a chance someone has changed the trim tag and the VIN in some locations?

 

It is interesting that your VIN does align with a St. Louis built 1980, but this tag definitely indicates some 1981 options. UM6 for the stereo with cassette was a 1981-1982 code, the cassette stereo option in 1979-1980 was UN3. But, RPO U81 shown here for the dual rear speakers was not an option in 1981 and required RPO UM2, UN3, UP6, or U58 in 1980. My best guess if all is original is a late production 1980 that started having '81 parts phased in, especially with the introduction of the BG plant in the midst of all that. Could be that the transition from Doeskin (592/Leather, 59C/Cloth) for Camel (642/Leather, 64C/Cloth) was happening and there was a misprint here. Interior discrepancies for C3 aren't abnormal - 1968 technically didn't have Saddle as an option, but some late production cars did have the 1969 Saddle (421/Leather, 420/Vinyl) interior. With something like 46 different shades spanning the 14 years for the C3, there's certainly some odd combinations out there.

Of course, that's all speculation on my part! I agree that just having some swatches would make life much easier for you. There is a pretty good difference between Doeskin and Camel. Swatches would make it easy to identify what the shade actually is between the two. Do you have any interior shots you can add? Even with the age of the factory interior, we may able to help identify what you have from a photo.

I'd be happy to send you some leather and carpet swatches to help match things up regardless. Feel free to PM me your mailing address and I can make sure some get heading your way!

-Nick

Much agreed here as well - if you're not concerned about judging, go with your heart! Swatches definitely make a world of difference for these choices.

FWIW, we're still Mid America Motorworks, always will be! Family owned since 1974 and that's not going to change!

-Nick

 

Well that's good to hear. Maybe it was just your website that changed a lot. Again, your employee in interiors was VERY helpful on getting the color that looked the best for me. Thanks again, GJ!
Here is a recent pic of the carpet and seat color, camel leather. The pic looks darker than the actual color because of lighting, but I like the shade difference MUCH better than the stock liter color carpet that gets dirty just looking at it.

 

Very glad to hear that! Interiors can be a pain, glad we could help make it easier! It looks fantastic, excellent choice!

-Nick

 

Hey Nick
I woke up this am, way too early, thinking about your post and decided to post and ask about carpet manufacturing. A few weeks ago, I was searching for Pace Car carpet and noted that a few fenders listed it as currently not available. It would be instructive if you could give us some insights into carpet manufacturing in light of recent vendor consolidation among Corvette aftermarket/restoration vendors. I've been to the MAM campus a few times with NCRS groups and always enjoyed those visits. My questions are: (respond here are start a new thread)

1. I assume carpet manufacturers are different from vendors that cut and shape for a GM Licensee whether its Corvette Camaro, Chevelle or Pontiac: and the vendor is the third party; true?
2. When listed as currently not available; does that mean that the manufacturer (and demand) have not produced that carpet/color for the cutter/shapper and thus the end vendor?
3. I would think that it becomes overwhelming by vendors to offer the numerous shades (and obscure), Pace Care included, of carpet such as this member requested...Doeskin, Oyster, Camel, Beige?

 

Finally getting back to this. Sorry for the delay. Had reconstructive surgery on a bad foot (clutch foot) so it's been difficult to get around the car. Attached is the other part of the build sheet from the gas tank. I am also adding a picture from the block stamp.

 

Couple photos of the leather. With some codes.

 

I believe someone requested a photo of the windshield VIN.

 

ZDA is an 81 engine code but VIN is 1980
Engine Codes

 

Thanks for the update!

The partial VIN on the engine block looks to have been restamped after the originals were sanded off. But does match the windshield VIN. It's really crooked, though, like it had been stamped by hand, one letter at a time. The factory had a "gang stamp", which aligned the numbers. ZDA is not just a 1981 L81 engine, but an 81 4-speed. A very rare bird.

Do you have a rear swaybar BTW? It looks like it says "Gymkhana" on the bottom part of the build sheet.

Whatever. It's a mix of parts. Drive it and enjoy it!

 

it is so odd that everything points to 81 but the VIN it carries is an 80. I agree the numbers on the block always looked sketchy. When I pulled the car apart I noticed that some of panels were stamped 81. The seat covers also have 81 stamped on the reverse side. It does have rear sway bar and it is the original 4 speed in the car. Seems it could be an 81 that someone an 80 VIN plate on? Now I am curious about the history. That will send me down a rabbit hole trying to figure it out.

I bought the car as a project with the kids to pass time during COVID. First Vette and the price along timing was perfect. We have fun with it.

Just to add to the confusion, one more picture.

 

Adding to the 4 speed photo, partial VIN stamp is ##. This does go along with the VIN on the build sheet but not the windshield VIN.

 

Seems you may have solved it. An '81 Corvette with a '80 VIN tag, papers and a restamped engine.

If I were in your shoes, I would order a copy of the build sheet for both VIN's. Help verify what you have.

You should run both VIN's thru NICB before spending a lot of money on this car.

 

....a very strange mystery going on here. Could it be an '81 from the seats going back with a '80 front including the pillars going forward, or did someone just swap an '80 VIN tag and re-stamp the motor with the 1980 numbers??? If this car has the engine certification label left in the engine compartment, what does it say? 1980 4spd cars had a unique code on their certification label. Wouldn't be the first time that two Corvettes were sectioned to make one out of two wrecked ones.

 

No engine cert under hood.

Using 2 cars to build 1 sounds interesting. If everything on the car appears to follow the 81 VIN on the build sheet found, wonder why someone would go through the effort to pull the VIN plate on the pillar and replace with an 80 VIN? I did lift the body off the frame to replace body mounts and nothing looked like the car was sectioned.