VIN question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
VIN question
I put a VIN number of a car I'm considering purchasing into Compnine, and it came back saying they don't have it in their database. Also, the VIN doesn't seem to fit with the decoder information I've read. The VIN is 1G1YY0783F5114974. The car is an 85 coupe. I don't know what the 07 in the 6th and 7th positions denote, though. Anyone know? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
When the C4 vert was introduced in '86 that position VIN code was 67 ; Body style number: two-door convertible
Last edited by vetteoz; Apr 22, 2013 at 01:51 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
VIN is 1G1YY0783F5114974.
2nd digit G=Manufacturer GM
3rd digit 1=Division Chevrolet
4th and 5th digit=YY Car line Series Corvette
6th digit=0 is not correct. Should be a 2 for two door hatchback or 3 for two door convertible). No convertibles
in 1985.
7th digit=7 is not correct. Restraint type should be either 1 is Manual seat belts. 2 Manual belts with built in safety. 3 Manual belts with built in safety driver only. 4 Automatic belts.
8th digit=RPO code L98 5.7L V8 TPI Chevy Y Carline.
9th digit=Check digit
10 digit=F Model Year=1985
11 digit=Assembly plant Bowling Green, KY
12 -17th digit Plant sequence number.
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Apr 22, 2013 at 12:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Thank you both. I appreciate the help. I was tired last night and not up to any more Googling. I figured I'd get a good explanation by asking instead. And, I did. I, too, thought the VIN looked wrong based on having found the very same list Hooked on Vettes notes. But, after seeing vetteoz's response this morning, I did a little further investigating on VINs for that year. Sure enough, they don't fully conform to the information in that list, and the 07 does denote the "two-door hatchback coupe" body style for an 85. http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet85.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
Here is a GM VIN CARD FOR '85. This is from GM for '85 only:
http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard85.pdf
http://service.gm.com/dealerworld/vi.../vincard85.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
1st digit 1=Nation of Origin USA
2nd digit G=Manufacturer GM
3rd digit 1=Division Chevrolet
4th and 5th digit=YY Car line Series Corvette
6th digit=0 is not correct. Should be a 2 for two door hatchback or 3 for two door convertible).
7th digit=7 is not correct. Restraint type should be either 1 is Manual seat belts. 2 Manual belts with built in safety. 3 Manual belts with built in safety driver only. 4 Automatic belts.
8th digit=RPO code L98 5.7L V8 TPI Chevy Y Carline.
9th digit=Check digit
10 digit=F Model Year=1985
11 digit=Assembly plant Bowling Green, KY
12 -17th digit Plant sequence number.
2nd digit G=Manufacturer GM
3rd digit 1=Division Chevrolet
4th and 5th digit=YY Car line Series Corvette
6th digit=0 is not correct. Should be a 2 for two door hatchback or 3 for two door convertible).
7th digit=7 is not correct. Restraint type should be either 1 is Manual seat belts. 2 Manual belts with built in safety. 3 Manual belts with built in safety driver only. 4 Automatic belts.
8th digit=RPO code L98 5.7L V8 TPI Chevy Y Carline.
9th digit=Check digit
10 digit=F Model Year=1985
11 digit=Assembly plant Bowling Green, KY
12 -17th digit Plant sequence number.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 22, 2013 at 12:13 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 41
From: Baltimore, MD USA
I, too, thought the VIN looked wrong based on having found the very same list Hooked on Vettes notes. But, after seeing vetteoz's response this morning, I did a little further investigating on VINs for that year. Sure enough, they don't fully conform to the information in that list, and the 07 does denote the "two-door hatchback coupe" body style for an 85.
So the vin you posted has a legit 6 and 7th code for
a 85.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,768
Likes: 175
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
So, I wouldn't worry too much if they don't list it.
Lots of others here have mentioned their VIN wasn't listed there.
It is not an official GM site.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
You can test it with a known good one and then just do something different with a digit and it should not fly. Very, very, very rarely will changing a digit not require that the 9th digit be modified as that is the remainder after the algorithm is applied to the VIN.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Thanks, everyone! I have done a Carfax, and I noticed that records going back to 1992 showed up. However, there is no title change information. So, I plugged the VIN into NMVTIS database and it comes back with no information available for this VIN. This is California, which is a NMVTIS reporting state, so I'm not sure why there would be no NMVTIS information on this number. Any ideas? Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
Thanks, everyone! I have done a Carfax, and I noticed that records going back to 1992 showed up. However, there is no title change information. So, I plugged the VIN into NMVTIS database and it comes back with no information available for this VIN. This is California, which is a NMVTIS reporting state, so I'm not sure why there would be no NMVTIS information on this number. Any ideas? Thanks.
Example: If it came from Florida before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold it may NOT show up. If it has been in California since before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold maybe it wouldn't show either. I can't tell you that that's fact but it seems the only viable explanation. NMVTIS I believe only records title movement and doesn't track services and safety inspections. I see no mention of NMVTIS doing anything except recording title branding, salvage etc. Maybe it's not that way but it seems to read that way.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I'm not a resident but do you know for a fact there's an existing California title? It wouldn't be in the "system" I don't believe unless it's moved "once".
Example: If it came from Florida before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold it may NOT show up. If it has been in California since before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold maybe it wouldn't show either. I can't tell you that that's fact but it seems the only viable explanation. NMVTIS I believe only records title movement and doesn't track services and safety inspections. I see no mention of NMVTIS doing anything except recording title branding, salvage etc. Maybe it's not that way but it seems to read that way.
Example: If it came from Florida before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold it may NOT show up. If it has been in California since before NMVTIS and hasn't been resold maybe it wouldn't show either. I can't tell you that that's fact but it seems the only viable explanation. NMVTIS I believe only records title movement and doesn't track services and safety inspections. I see no mention of NMVTIS doing anything except recording title branding, salvage etc. Maybe it's not that way but it seems to read that way.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
Yes, that is true, NMVTIS is pretty much all about title. I did contact our state DMV office and they verified that everything is fine with that VIN. The woman with whom I spoke couldn't give a definite reason why it didn't show up in the NMVTIS database, but assured me there were no title issues. As far as service and inspections, Carfax has history on the car going back to 1992, and the current owner has a file with all of his service history documentation. I will say the guy keeps good records. He even has the original dealer window sticker, even though he's the second owner. He just kept everything the first owner gave him along with all he has added.
Here's an '84 label.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I didn't see where you mentioned miles but even a "high-miler" that's been serviced regularly with documentation could be a good buy. You also didn't mention options etc. Did you copy the SPO label that's in the rear storage compartment on an '85 behind the driver. Hopefully he's not removed it to include in his pile of documentation! Get the information from the label and find out what the build looks like!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
The car has 41,xxx miles on it. I didn't get the SPO as I wasn't aware of this being behind the driver's seat. I have a feeling it's probably still there, though, because I don't think he would have known, either. It's a really good looking car, though, both inside and out. I was happy with the test drive. The only thing the seller needs to do now is get the required smog inspection that you have to get in California before you can sell the vehicle. I noticed that it's passed every other time, so I don't expect an issue.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA