Hello,

I'm a new user here. I am looking for info on 69's. I am basically Corvette illiterate. did a little research for a friend one time on a pace car. I found this particular 69 parked in someone's yard and stopped. No one was home so I've seen very little of it so far. I'm scheduled to see it in the AM. The first thing I noticed is no VIN visible thru the windshield. On the windshield pillar the space for the VIN was blank. At least this is where the VIN was on the 78 pace car and from what I've read on this site is where it should be. I've searched the site and could find no article/info on breaking down VIN's. If something like this exists please point me there. I have always been a SuperSport freak so what little I do know applies to them. The owner states this is a completely original 427, 4-speed, all matching numbers, etc... that was completely redone 10 years ago. At that time the speedo was replaced and he's driven it less than 1000 miles since. The paint is blistering pretty bad. From what I've read I understand there should be some VIN info on the underside of the arm rest of the center console? Any help on where to look for info to ID this car and how to use that info once I find it is greatly appreciated. I've been searching for my next SS project but if this is the real deal I may finally own a Vette. Great Site! Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Scooter Grigsby

 

Never heard of a VIN under the armrest. There's one on the top of the frame kickup, but it's a bugger to get a look at (you can feel for it and use a mirror or use a pencil & paper to get an impression). Personally, I wouldn't touch a car with the VIN tag missing from the window frame with a 10 foot pole. Sounds like lots of potential problems with titles & and DMV beaurocrats to me.

Here's a site that explains VIN locations: http://www.c3sharktank.com/techinfo/vinguide.html

Here's another one that has info on decoding VINs: http://www.c3vetteregistry.com/login.asp?Logoff=False
JB


[Modified by JB, 9:54 AM 9/16/2003]

 

JB,

Many thanks! That's just what I needed. I think it might be the RPO Codes that are in the center console and the Trim Tag on the Driver's door or vice versa. I want to see the car anyway but didn't know if all VINs on all years were in that windshield pillar. As usual, the longer the story gets the more it smells. I just haven't had enough yet.

Thanks again for answering. I'll post the findings.

 

First of all WELCOME!! :party: Second it depends on whether numbers matching is important to you or not. Lastly depends on the $$$

 

There is nowhere on any C3 that the RPO codes are listed, except the build sheet that is glued to the top of the gas tank. There is a console plate that lists the HP and torque numbers, but those are easily replaced.

 

On the engine... just forward of the passenger side head... there is a pad on the block that has the engine assembly date, application, and sequence number of the VIN. This will tell you if the engin is a 69. In addition to the engin, the sequence number should be stamped into the passenger side of the tranny case... and the frame has a VIN stamped in on the driver side rear wheel well area. Hope this helps. Post what ever you find here and someone will look it up for you :)

 

The "under the armrest " stuff is for C4 and later

 

Thanks for all the info. I found out yesterday there were no RPO codes under a center armrest. I believe there is supposed to be a trim tag or some other means of identification on the drivers side door and there was none of that either. I cleaned the pad off on the front of the engine and did see numbers stamped there but all other circumstances considered I didn't feel like writing them down. The air cleaner has the 427/390 markings as does the console pad beneath the 4-speed shifter. I'm no expert but I'd rate the car as overall fair. That's not only an average but the state of everything on it, cosmetically and mechanically under the hood, body, paint, interior. When I said, let's take a spin, the owner drove. I could tell by the way he drove and shifted that an issue exists with either the clutch/pressure plate or in the tranny, perhaps the linkage. I was already losing interest in the car and interest decreases with every step. I was given a phone number of the guy who owned it before and he's supposed to know the life history so I will try to contact him although no luck yet, seems he's terribly busy and hard to get on the phone. In this economy I placed a $8 - 10K price tag if all #'s match. He's asking $15K and when the DOW Jones was pushing 15000 he very well might have got it. Right now he appears to be a BS salesman with a mouth full of samples. But I've been wrong before. I'll continue to research but am not getting my hopes up. If the previous owner turns out to be a good source of good info I will scour the car for the remaining number locations. Didn't feel like asking him to put in on the rack yesterday. I'd love for it to be legit but this feels like a road I've been down before. The VIN missing on the windshield pillar is a real killer for me and he has no explanations, just call the previous owner. Oh well, the hunt continues. Thanks for all the help and info!!


[Modified by ScooterG, 2:09 PM 9/18/2003]

 

Walk away and don't look back! It's a buyers market right now, you'll find something better just keep looking. :cheers:

 

If the paint is blistering, what you're probably looking at is fiberglass delamination.

Get the date codes from the engine and manifold, and make sure it's a '69 (or late 1968 date code, for that matter.)

Many Stingrays were stolen, so I'm not surprised the VIN is gone. The other thing you can do is unscrew the gas filler, pull back the rubber and use a light and mirror to look for a build sheet on the gas tank. If the spare tire carrier is gone, you can look from underneath much easier with a telescopic mirror.

Just remember, the 427/390s are not that hot (in terms of performance.)
Translating 390hp gross-to-net hp, you get 312 flywheel hp (as opposed to a C5's 350hp.) At best, you're looking at just about 260hp at the rear wheels (+/- 10hp or so.) Plus, the extra weight of the 427 is noticeable.

Also, jack up the rear of the car and push up and down on the sidewalls of the rear tires. If they wobble, the car will need new rear wheel bearings, which is a major undertaking. Don't take his word that it has been done, because frequently they're done incorrectly and lead to massive issues.

If he's asking $15K tell him that you'll buy it at $9K -- because that's what you can buy a C3 with no documentation for (and in need of serious paint and some fiberglass work.) When he says NO, give him your business card and tell him to call you when he's ready to sell.

I've bought many cars that way, except I usually offer less than half than what he's asking for his C3.

Welcome to the club. There are many great people on this forum, and they know their stuff. Most of us all agree that the most important thing about buying a C3 is to not be passionate about it...facts, research and buying skill will pay great dividends when purchasing.