Hi all,

I usually lurk over in the C2 forum, but I am looking at getting a special 2002... Is there a way to decode the VIN, to see what day the car was made on..

Thanks,

/joe

 

No, you can't determine the build date from the VIN alone. However, if you can get them to, any GM dealer can inquire GM's system for the car's history using the VIN which will tell you the build date. Also, several members here have access to GM's system and can run the history for you. Post here in C5 General requesting the car's history and include the VIN in your post. Hopefully one of these members will come along and run the history for you. Following is all the info that can be determined from the C5's VIN:

2002 Corvette Identification

Hope this helps.

 

No.

Here is what the 2002 VIN codes mean

Below is the VIN tag and specific information for identifying a 2002 model year Corvette. For more pictures of the 2002 model year, please see our 2002 Corvette Gallery.

VIN Tag Information
1G1YY12G525100000 - 1G1YY12G5251?????
Digit Definition
1st Country of Origin: 1 = USA
2nd Manufacturer: G = General Motors
3rd Make: 1 = Chevrolet
4th/5th Carline/Series: YY = Corvette
6th Body Style: 1 = hardtop 2 = two door coupe 3 = two door convertible
7th Restraint Code: 2 = Active, manual w/ driver and passenger inflatable restraints.
8th Engine Type: G = LS1, S = LS6
9th Check Digit
10th Model Year: 2 = 2002
11th Plant: 5 = Bowling Green, Kentucky
Last 6 digits Production Number starting with 100000 - 1?????.


BUT I think you can get that off the build sheet that you can buy through the National Corvette Museum

https://www.corvettemuseum.com/libra...ts/index.shtml

 

No, the build sheet will NOT tell you the build date of the car. Keep in mind the build sheet is produced sometime prior to the build start and accompanies the car down the assembly line as it is being built. There is a machine printed date and time at the very top right of the build sheet and this is the only printed date and time that appears on the build sheet. I'm not certain of the significance of this printed date and time, but again it is not the build date and time of the car's manufacture.

We took Museum delivery on our car in April 2003. As part of the delivery, we received a VIP tour of the assembly plant. During the tour, one of the plant employees presented us with one of the original copies of our car's build sheet. In the lower left corner of our copy of the build sheet just above the VIN, one of the plant employees had hand scribed our car's build completion date of 3-24-03 using a red grease pencil, thus the only reason the build date appears on our build sheet. Our car's build date of 3-24-03 is some 12 day after the machine printed date of 03/12/03 that appears on the build sheet. The build sheet though is a very nice piece of documentation to have, especially for the Corvette enthusiast.

 

No, the build sheet will NOT tell you the build date of the car. Keep in mind the build sheet is produced sometime prior to the build start and accompanies the car down the assembly line as it is being built. There is a machine printed date and time at the very top right of the build sheet and this is the only printed date and time that appears on the build sheet. I'm not certain of the significance of this printed date and time, but again it is not the build date and time of the car's manufacture.

We took Museum delivery on our car in April 2003. As part of the delivery, we received a VIP tour of the assembly plant. During the tour, one of the plant employees presented us with one of the original copies of our car's build sheet. In the lower left corner of our copy of the build sheet just above the VIN, one of the plant employees had hand scribed our car's build completion date of 3-24-03 using a red grease pencil, thus the only reason the build date appears on our build sheet. Our car's build date of 3-24-03 is some 12 day after the machine printed date of 03/12/03 that appears on the build sheet. The build sheet though is a very nice piece of documentation to have, especially for the Corvette enthusiast.

 

One of those members that to which Jim is referring is SpongeVette. He has run literally hundreds of VIN's and I'm pretty sure if you were to send the VIN to him via a PM, he would be gracious enough to take care of it for you. Someday, I'd like to shake his hand! He's done it for me a couple of times.

 

I appreciate all of your information and comments!! If anyone has any starting numbers for their car built in sept of 01, please let me know.. I would think most will know where I'm going with this..

Thanks!!!

/joe

 

SpongeVette is the man - he has run histories for many, many forum members. PM him and he can help you out.

 

I tried to send a PM to SpongeVette, but the PM was returned saying the user was not found ???

 

Try Sponge Vette instead, with a space between Sponge & Vette. The first letter of each word is capitalized. Good luck.

 

This is Bob at Fichtner Chevrolet,

Send me the vin # to parts@fichtnerchevrolet.com and I will pull you up the complete warranty history and build codes with build date as long as GM has it on file.

Bob

 

You know what?
For me you look like the most helpful of all the dealers sponsoring this Forum..
It is not the first time I see you coming in to give a hand to a forum member as opposed to some who are there only for.......you know what.
As far as I am concerned I am grateful.
It is good business with an additional commitment.
You are on my list (distance is not the main factor).

 

Bob I really appreicate your help.. Problem is that I'm looking for the VIN before I buy the car... Wierd that on my 65 I can get the day it was built from my VIN's serial number.. And that was before computers... So there is no way to get a date range from the serial number... Bummer, for me..

Thanks!!!!

/joe