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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 05:32 PM
  #1  
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From: antioch tn
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i just bought a 1973 corvettewith the VIN # 1Z37Z3S405345. i am trying to find the history of this car. all the #'s match BUT the motor is from '71--not '73. is there a way to find out if this was a COPO car???
according to the info i have there were NO 454 engines "officially"(because of federal epa) installed inany vettes in 1973---is my info wrong??(i was!)
i appreciate the knowledge of you nice vette addicts(of which am becoming).
NOW--new question!! was the ZO7 suspension offered in conjunction with the larger motor? or what???
[Modified by csigmc26, 9:57 PM 8/15/2002]


[Modified by csigmc26, 11:51 PM 8/15/2002]


[Modified by csigmc26, 11:52 PM 8/15/2002]


[Modified by csigmc26, 11:55 PM 8/15/2002]
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 05:48 PM
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Default Re: VIN number (csigmc26)

I am lost here. You say all numbers match but the engine is from a '71. What makes you think it is '71? On the stamp pad there should be two numbers, one that would be 13S405345 and the other something like V0912CWR. Post the numbers that are there and we can tell you what you have.

In '73 emissions were really starting to tighten up and I don't think they would have gone through the cost of having one engine emission certified to build one COPO car.

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 3:51 PM 8/15/2002]
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 05:49 PM
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Default Re: VIN number (csigmc26)

Can't tell much about it from the VIN. It's a coupe (by the 3rd digit being a 3 in the VIN), originally a 454 motor (by the 5th "digit" being a Z). It was the 5345th car built in the '73 model year.

If the block has a '71 casting date then all the numbers don't match. It's extremely unlikely that a block stayed around for 2+ years until being fitted and installed into the car. What are the numbers stamped on the front pad of the engine in front of the passenger side valve cover?

Shannon
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 06:00 PM
  #4  
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From: antioch tn
Default Re: VIN number (Tom73)

see modified post---i totally have NO idea but i worked for GM long enough to know what corporate wants--it usually gets!
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 06:04 PM
  #5  
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From: antioch tn
Default Re: VIN number (sb69coupe)

since i haven't picked the car up yet i am not positive about what #'s are stamped on the engine(willfind that out this weekend)BUT i can't find any book with the second Z. it also has a plaque that "looks" original on the console.
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 06:04 PM
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Default Re: VIN number (csigmc26)

Sorry, but your info is incorrect. There were 4412 1973 Corvettes produced with the 454 engine.

Shannon
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 06:14 PM
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Default Re: VIN number (sb69coupe)

Sorry, but your info is incorrect. There were 4412 1973 Corvettes produced with the 454 engine.
I agree with Shannon. In fact here is my 454 '73:

The 454 was available through the '74 model year.
BUT i can't find any book with the second Z. it also has a plaque that "looks" original on the console.
The VIN, 1Z37Z3S405345, breaks down as:
1=Chevy
Z=Corvette
37=Body style (37=coupe, 67=conv)
Z=engine (J=base L48, T=optional L82, Z=optional LS4 454ci)
3=year
S=plant (St Louis)
4=place holder
05345=build sequence (5,345th built in the 73 model year)

Sounds like you may have found yourself a nice Vette :yesnod: :yesnod:
tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 4:21 PM 8/15/2002]
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Old Aug 15, 2002 | 11:02 PM
  #8  
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Default Re: VIN number (Tom73)

i can't tell from the pic---does yours have the 454 emblems on the hood??
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Old Aug 16, 2002 | 01:30 AM
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From: NM
Default Re: VIN number (csigmc26)

i can't tell from the pic---does yours have the 454 emblems on the hood??
Yes it does, but I installed them. Some 73's left the factory without the emblems but which ones and how many are not know. I figured why have a 454 and noone knows it and since I could not prove that it was delivered without the emblems, I went ahead and installed them.



tom...
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Old Aug 16, 2002 | 07:59 AM
  #10  
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Default Re: suspension (csigmc26)

Just a pet peeve of mine. You don't have to put the word "number" after VIN. That is what the "N" stands for. :bb This mesage brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department. :D
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