What do I have? Decoding the VIN??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
What do I have? Decoding the VIN??
I just purchased a 78 vette ? Not sure if it's special or now how do I decode the VIN?
When people say it's a matching number vette where are the numbers on the block located? And which numbers do I compare to the VIN to determine if it's a matching numbers car?
My VIN: 1Z87L8S422261
When people say it's a matching number vette where are the numbers on the block located? And which numbers do I compare to the VIN to determine if it's a matching numbers car?
My VIN: 1Z87L8S422261
Last edited by GeosVette; Oct 15, 2012 at 09:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
This is a great site that has everything you wanted to know to decode your VIN. http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1978.aspx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 667
From: Northeast
Sorry, delete that site from your mind. I cant figure out where they get those engine codes and the rest of the engine stuff they posted. Might be for a 77? not a 78
Go here:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c3/1978/78id.html
and at the top of the page click on 1978 corvette center for more choices.
Look on the front of the passenger side of the block and you will see a somewhat square pad which looks like this. My engine was built on 4/20 and is for a L82 4spd= CMR:
Get the suffix then look it up. This will tell you what engine you have and whether it belongs to your car. You will see a portion of your vin.
Go here:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/c3/1978/78id.html
and at the top of the page click on 1978 corvette center for more choices.
Look on the front of the passenger side of the block and you will see a somewhat square pad which looks like this. My engine was built on 4/20 and is for a L82 4spd= CMR:
Get the suffix then look it up. This will tell you what engine you have and whether it belongs to your car. You will see a portion of your vin.
Last edited by BKarol; Oct 16, 2012 at 07:51 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
1 Chevrolet
Z Corvette
87 sport coupe
L engine code for L-48
8 model year
S plant code for St. Louis, Missouri
4 car line series code regular production 78 as opposed to Pace Car
22261 consecutive unit number
Your car is the 22261st regular production 1978 Corvette assembled. February, 1978 before Pace Car production began.
What do you mean you're not sure if the car is "special"? It's yours. That ought to make it special.
Z Corvette
87 sport coupe
L engine code for L-48
8 model year
S plant code for St. Louis, Missouri
4 car line series code regular production 78 as opposed to Pace Car
22261 consecutive unit number
Your car is the 22261st regular production 1978 Corvette assembled. February, 1978 before Pace Car production began.
What do you mean you're not sure if the car is "special"? It's yours. That ought to make it special.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,270
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi GV,
The term "numbers matching" has become quite a hot topic for some people. The term means very different things to different people.
You can begin with the info you've been given so far and look for the VIN sequence stamp in 3 places.
1. The stamp pad on the engine.
2. The stamp pad on the transmission.
3. A VIN sequence stamp on the frame. It's on top of the frame rail just to the rear of the left-side rear tire. It's difficult to see with the body in place. Often you can feel an indentation were the stamp was put with your fingers which gives you a clue where to look using a small mirror.
The VIN sequence number should agree with the VIN tag riveted to the left side windshield pillar.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I think even 'regular' Corvettes are 'special'!!!
The term "numbers matching" has become quite a hot topic for some people. The term means very different things to different people.
You can begin with the info you've been given so far and look for the VIN sequence stamp in 3 places.
1. The stamp pad on the engine.
2. The stamp pad on the transmission.
3. A VIN sequence stamp on the frame. It's on top of the frame rail just to the rear of the left-side rear tire. It's difficult to see with the body in place. Often you can feel an indentation were the stamp was put with your fingers which gives you a clue where to look using a small mirror.
The VIN sequence number should agree with the VIN tag riveted to the left side windshield pillar.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I think even 'regular' Corvettes are 'special'!!!
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