the important ones are the last 8
Why Vin #
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 142
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From: Pope MS
Why Vin #
Going to order some parts from a vendor on E-Bay and they requested the last 8 #'s of the VIN #. I thought the last 7 were the sequence #. The 8th from the end is the letter M. What info would that give the vendor.
LS/MFT
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 5,874
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From: Cary IL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
The M is the year, but the last seven are the unique build sequence (the "serial number"). They should want the first 10 to see if it's a coupe or convert, and which engine you have. The only thing meaningful they get out of the last 7 are whether it's an early or late build.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
I believe last 8 is model year, production plant, 6 digit serial number.
We always used last 8 in the dealer parts system as the database had specific build options for each serial number. What option packages, etc.
We always used last 8 in the dealer parts system as the database had specific build options for each serial number. What option packages, etc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Houston Texas
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most people wont get that 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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The vendor undoubtedly has access to RPO decoding from the VIN and would like to confirm he's selling you the correct parts!
Does the vendor have another reason for the inquiry? Who knows!
The first 8 of your VIN should be enough for an "intelligent" parts "professional" to do parts for your '91 unless you're interested in "trim"!!
C@0s mentioned: the important ones are the last 8
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 24, 2010 at 09:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
There's enough information in your "signature" for "SOME" to probably decode and post your complete VIN!
The vendor undoubtedly has access to RPO decoding from the VIN and would like to confirm he's selling you the correct parts!
Does the vendor have another reason for the inquiry? Who knows!
The first 8 of your VIN should be enough for an "intelligent" parts "professional" to do parts for your '91 unless you're interested in "trim"!!
Actually all 17 are "important"!!
The vendor undoubtedly has access to RPO decoding from the VIN and would like to confirm he's selling you the correct parts!
Does the vendor have another reason for the inquiry? Who knows!
The first 8 of your VIN should be enough for an "intelligent" parts "professional" to do parts for your '91 unless you're interested in "trim"!!
Actually all 17 are "important"!!
Fownd this in another thread:
There are 17 characters. Starting with the first character on the left:
1. 1 = built in the US
2. G = General Motors
3. 1 = Chevrolet
4. Denotes the car line. Corvette is a Y body.
5. Provides more info about the car.
6. Body style. 1 is a FRC, 2 is a coupe, 3 is a convertible.
7. Restraint code
8. Engine:
L98 = 8
LT1 = P
ZR1 = J
LT4 = 5
LS1 = G
LS6 = S
LS2 = U
LS3 = W
LS7 = E
9. Check digit - 0 to 9 or X
10. Model year:
B through N are years 81 to 92
P = 93
R through T = 94 to 96
V = 97
W = 98
X = 99
Y = 00
1 through 9 is 2001 through 2009
11. build plant Bowling Green is 5
12. Production sequence number that starts with 1 for each model year.
Last edited by ch@0s; May 24, 2010 at 09:58 PM.