C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 10:42 AM
  #1  
bluto65's Avatar
bluto65
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: hebron ky
Default Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me

My door jam plate reads: Chevrolet H18, Trim 408, Paint 68L. My VIN is 1Z37J4S421126. I don't own a book but the best I can tell is that the trim is nuetral, the paint brown, and it's an L48. Can someone confirm that for me and let me know if there is anything else the numbers tell me. I would also like to know what other numbers I have to check (and where they are) to confirm my car is matching numbers. Thanks for any help. :confused:
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 10:58 AM
  #2  
NHvette's Avatar
NHvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

I don't have the book right here - but someone will.
They need to know the year - '74

The tail of the VIN should be on the stamp pad - front of engine block.
Also - if an auto TH400 - the end of the VIN is stamped on the edge of the
aluminum case - drivers side - just above the pan.
:seeya
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 11:25 AM
  #3  
gearheadz's Avatar
gearheadz
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

Assuming '74 by VIN. Engine most important. Check the block pad in front of the right (passenger) head. You should have a 7+ digit alphanumeric code stamped on it which signifies plant, assembly date & 3 letter engine suffix at the end starting with a "C". The VIN matching the pillar post VIN will also be there if its the original motor.

Lots of other things to check but thats the biggie.

BTW, code for Brown paint is 968.

I have a #s book, if you'll post the #s you find, I'll decode them as will others.

Mark


[Modified by mdsmith, 10:29 AM 8/28/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
docmow's Avatar
docmow
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 577
Likes: 26
From: st george utah
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (Daves_rusty_75)

numbers look like some mis placed numurals[#] 408=silver with letter L
from paint code its says leather 408v is silver with vinyl
the paint code in book is 968 dark brown did not see 68L
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 11:41 AM
  #5  
gearheadz's Avatar
gearheadz
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 16
From: Gainesville, Florida
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (docmow)

numbers look like some mis placed numurals[#] 408=silver with letter L
from paint code its says leather 408v is silver with vinyl
the paint code in book is 968 dark brown did not see 68L
408 in the Black Book is Neutral/Vinyl....whether its leather & vinyl is not coded by a letter after the #. I.E. black vinyl is 400, black leather is 404. Only leathers available that yr are 404 (blk), 407 (silver) & 416 (saddle).


[Modified by mdsmith, 10:47 AM 8/28/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 12:31 PM
  #6  
NHvette's Avatar
NHvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)


H18 - body built March 18, 1974 == birthday ~ March 20-21, 1974.

408 - Neutral Vinyl

68L - no go - must be "1" or "9XX"
I'm guessing 968 - Dark Brown Metallic.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 12:58 PM
  #7  
1LE's Avatar
1LE
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

Paint codes in 74 started with a 9.
922 Corvette med blue
968 Dark Brown
917 Corvette Gray
910 Classic White
980 Corvette Orange
976 Mille Miglia Red
974 Medium Red
914 Silver Mist
948 Dark Green
946 Bright Yellow
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 01:37 PM
  #8  
bluto65's Avatar
bluto65
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: hebron ky
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

Thanks for the help so far. I am going to go check the paint code again. I'll get back with more info soon. I do appreciate all the responses. :jester
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 02:12 PM
  #9  
Tomi72's Avatar
Tomi72
Racer
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Finland
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

This is a direct quote from the black book (published nov 1999) regarding 1974 color codes:
"Exterior color code on trim plates was generally a two number code followed by the letter L. The code may also appear with a 9 before the two numbers and no letter following"

So 68L should be normal for a dark brown exterior.

rgds Tomi
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 02:20 PM
  #10  
bluto65's Avatar
bluto65
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: hebron ky
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

Thanks for the update again! I checked the codes and they are as originally listed. I appreciate the help. I am still trying to locate the numbers on the engine block and have been unsuccessful thus far!
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 02:21 PM
  #11  
Tom73's Avatar
Tom73
Race Director
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,143
Likes: 477
From: NM
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (Tomi72)

All 74s that I have read about have the L after the two number paint code. All the books show a three number paint code starting with a 9. So, take the paint code in the book, 968 and drop the 9 and add an L to the end and you have the 68L paint code or Dark Brown.
Thanks for the update again! I checked the codes and they are as originally listed. I appreciate the help. I am still trying to locate the numbers on the engine block and have been unsuccessful thus far!
There are 4 sets of numbers, the casting # at the rear drivers side by the bell housing, the casting date at the rear passanger side by the bell housing, and the two sets on the stamp pad (a machined surface on the block in front of the passenger side head). The block # should be 3970010. The casting date will look like A214 for Jan 21, 74. Both of these numbers are cast into the block. On the stamp pad will be two sets of numbers that have been stamped there. One will look something like 14S421126, the 421126 is the last 5 digits of your VIN. The other will be like V0126CLA where V=Flint engine plant, 0126=engine assembly date(Jan/26), and CLA = usage code (CLA is L48 with auto and federal emissions).

tom...


[Modified by Tom73, 12:34 PM 8/28/2002]
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2002 | 05:14 PM
  #12  
bluto65's Avatar
bluto65
Thread Starter
8th Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: hebron ky
Default Re: Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me (bluto65)

Thanks Tom.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Would someone please check a trim and paint code for me





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:42 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 11:09:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE