1970 or 1969
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1970 or 1969
I have a 1970 ? vette at least that's what the body is, it doesn't look like it's been rebodied at any time, no dents or tweeks in the frame anywhere. The VIN is 194379S737622. T-Top coupe, 4sp, I'm trying to decipher the vin and figure out what was in the car. SMB/BBC? It appears to have heavy duty springs in front. any ideas or help. Thanks, Brad
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
VIN is very late '69, VIN won't tell you anything about drivetrain.
They made '69s until December '69 because of a strike earlier in the year, made 38,000 or so, yours is sequentially 37,XXX, last 5 digits of VIN.
They made '69s until December '69 because of a strike earlier in the year, made 38,000 or so, yours is sequentially 37,XXX, last 5 digits of VIN.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Originally Posted by combat
I have a 1970 ? vette at least that's what the body is, it doesn't look like it's been rebodied at any time, no dents or tweeks in the frame anywhere. The VIN is 194379S737622. T-Top coupe, 4sp, I'm trying to decipher the vin and figure out what was in the car. SMB/BBC? It appears to have heavy duty springs in front. any ideas or help. Thanks, Brad
rounded exhaust outlets in rear valence (vs. square)
front fender vents are the 'gills' like with the '68.
Front signal lights in front grill are round and whitish vs. square orange.
I believe the rear fenders were slightly flaired (lip at rear of rear tire opening) beginning in '70.
What does the car have in it now (small or big block?)?
-Big vs. Small Block Identifying features (some I know of):
-Big block had the stock rear sway bar but if you have the swaybar in a smallblock car, somebody may have added it.
-I believe the half-shafts on the differential differed between small and big block (different fasteners and possibly different half-shaft diameter?).
-More/Varied Rear differential ratios were offered with the big blocks than the small blocks (but could have been swapped also). Some differentials on small block may not have been offered on big block (I wish I had my NCRS manual for my '69 handy).
-Not sure if only the M21 and M22 were offered with a big block. Somebody may know.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1970 or 1969
I know by the vin it was a '69, but it appears that the body which is a '70, square exhaust, all maker lights are SAE 70 other date codes in fiber glass are '70 as well. Why would it have a '69 vin? unless it was a Dec car leftover and they put a '70 body on it and sold it as a '70? As I had stated I don't think it's been rebodied. I'm emoving the body now so I'll see if the frame number is the same as the pillar post vin. Any other ideas? The half shafts are for a BB, and there is a rear swaybar. The halfshafts are way bigger in diameter. But would the be on a ZR1 or LT1 car as well. Yes there was a ZR1 option in 1970. Thanks, Brad
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by combat
Why would it have a '69 vin? unless it was a Dec car leftover and they put a '70 body on it and sold it as a '70?
Your serial # is 1140 from the last one for that year, but don't forget they don't stop making model years in Dec - they go until about May...
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
VIN says you have a '69. I would assume a previous owner made some body mods if it's currently running 70-72 fiberglass. I hate to play boogey man, but if the car actually is a '70, you have to consider the possibility of a theft recovery with a '69 VIN. Do the rosettes holding the VIN tag appear to have been replaced?
If you are removing the body from the frame, part of the original VIN will be stamped on the top rail of the frame, left side, at about where the driver would sit, and in front of the #4 mount at the rear. (Two places.) You may have to clean off some accumulated road gook in order to find the stampings. That should tell you whether the frame is '69 or '70.
If you are removing the body from the frame, part of the original VIN will be stamped on the top rail of the frame, left side, at about where the driver would sit, and in front of the #4 mount at the rear. (Two places.) You may have to clean off some accumulated road gook in order to find the stampings. That should tell you whether the frame is '69 or '70.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Southeast WI
Here's some info on the '69 model year that you might find helpful:
http://www.idavette.net/facts/69.htm
Your car was built around the same time as mine. My vin is:
19437S737096
http://www.idavette.net/facts/69.htm
Your car was built around the same time as mine. My vin is:
19437S737096
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