What year do I really have?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 922
Likes: 109
From: Crowley Texas
What year do I really have?
I opened up the compartment on the left in the rear and there was the front lic plate holder and the manual. hated to open it since it had not been opened ever! This is a 2008 i have. When i opened the case the manual said 2009 Corvette!!! WTF?? Any ideas on what is happening. On my list of questions for the dealer!
I know it is a 2008 because of the signature from Emerson Fittipaldi on the Center console lid!!
I know it is a 2008 because of the signature from Emerson Fittipaldi on the Center console lid!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Montgomery, Alabama
2017 C6 of Year Finalist
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
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Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Monmouth Maine
Maybe the previous owner wanted to keep the 08 manual as a memento?
Maybe GM ran out of 08 manuals near the end of the run?
You have the VIN#. What is that telling you? Although you already stated you know it's an 08.
You have your registration, you have the paperwork when you bought the Corvette.
So just because you found a different manual everything else does not count?
I can see the ad now... 2009 for sale. Serial number shows 08, but I have an 09 manual that comes with the car...so it's an 09!
Sorry, I had to go there...too much coffee!!!
Heck, I'm going to buy a 2013 manual and put it in my 2005!
Chuck M
Maybe GM ran out of 08 manuals near the end of the run?
You have the VIN#. What is that telling you? Although you already stated you know it's an 08.
You have your registration, you have the paperwork when you bought the Corvette.
So just because you found a different manual everything else does not count?
I can see the ad now... 2009 for sale. Serial number shows 08, but I have an 09 manual that comes with the car...so it's an 09!
Sorry, I had to go there...too much coffee!!!
Heck, I'm going to buy a 2013 manual and put it in my 2005!
Chuck M
Last edited by hotmotorsports; Oct 31, 2015 at 09:34 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 220
From: Akron Ohio
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
Maybe the previous owner wanted to keep the 08 manual as a memento?
Maybe GM ran out of 08 manuals near the end of the run?
You have the VIN#. What is that telling you? Although you already stated you know it's an 08.
You have your registration, you have the paperwork when you bought the Corvette.
So just because you found a different manual everything else does not count?
I can see the ad now... 2009 for sale. Serial number shows 08, but I have an 09 manual that comes with the car...so it's an 09!
Sorry, I had to go there...too much coffee!!!
Heck, I'm going to buy a 2013 manual and put it in my 2005!
Chuck M
Maybe GM ran out of 08 manuals near the end of the run?
You have the VIN#. What is that telling you? Although you already stated you know it's an 08.
You have your registration, you have the paperwork when you bought the Corvette.
So just because you found a different manual everything else does not count?
I can see the ad now... 2009 for sale. Serial number shows 08, but I have an 09 manual that comes with the car...so it's an 09!
Sorry, I had to go there...too much coffee!!!
Heck, I'm going to buy a 2013 manual and put it in my 2005!
Chuck M
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
The 10th character of your VIN should be an 8 if it's a 2008 car.
Corvette VIN Decoder 1981 to Present
17 Digit VIN Explanation
Location: Drivers side top of the instrument panel for late model Corvette's or windshield post (A-pillar) for earlier models.
Example: 1G1YY26W485100001
Sequence
Number Code
1 Country of Origin 1 = USA
2 Manufacturer G = GM
3 Make of car 1 = Chevrolet
4 Car Line or Series Y = Y-body series
5 Corvette Specific information "Y" or "Z" Z = ZR1
6 Body style 07=1982 Collectors Edition, 1= Hard Top (99-04 Z06) 2 = Coupe (97-2011+ Coupe, Z06, ZR1) 3 = Convertible (98-2011+)
7 Restraint system 2= Front 3 = late model seat belts warning and air bags 4= Front/Side 5= Front (2007+) 6=Front/Side (2006+)
8 Engine type 8 = L98, P = LT1, J = ZR1, 5 = LT4, G=LS1, S=LS6, U=LS2, E=LS7, W=LS3, R=LS9
9 Randomly generated check digit 0 - 9 Security Code
10 Model year designation from GM B = 1981, C = 1982,
D = 1983, E = 1984, F = 1985, G = 1986,
H = 1987, J = 1988, K = 1989, L = 1990,
M = 1991, N = 1992 P = 1993, R = 1994,
S = 1995, T = 1996, V = 1997, W = 1998,
X = 1999, Y = 2000, 1 = 2001, 2 = 2002,
3 = 2003, 4 = 2004 5 = 2005, 6 = 2006,
7 = 2007, 8 = 2008, 9= 2009, A=2010, B= 2011
11 Final Assembly Plant Location 4= St. Louis (only a few 1981 Corvette's overlapping ) 5 = Bowling Green
12 to 17 Production sequence number 100000-1????? Example: 800001 = ZR1
17 Digit VIN Explanation
Location: Drivers side top of the instrument panel for late model Corvette's or windshield post (A-pillar) for earlier models.
Example: 1G1YY26W485100001
Sequence
Number Code
1 Country of Origin 1 = USA
2 Manufacturer G = GM
3 Make of car 1 = Chevrolet
4 Car Line or Series Y = Y-body series
5 Corvette Specific information "Y" or "Z" Z = ZR1
6 Body style 07=1982 Collectors Edition, 1= Hard Top (99-04 Z06) 2 = Coupe (97-2011+ Coupe, Z06, ZR1) 3 = Convertible (98-2011+)
7 Restraint system 2= Front 3 = late model seat belts warning and air bags 4= Front/Side 5= Front (2007+) 6=Front/Side (2006+)
8 Engine type 8 = L98, P = LT1, J = ZR1, 5 = LT4, G=LS1, S=LS6, U=LS2, E=LS7, W=LS3, R=LS9
9 Randomly generated check digit 0 - 9 Security Code
10 Model year designation from GM B = 1981, C = 1982,
D = 1983, E = 1984, F = 1985, G = 1986,
H = 1987, J = 1988, K = 1989, L = 1990,
M = 1991, N = 1992 P = 1993, R = 1994,
S = 1995, T = 1996, V = 1997, W = 1998,
X = 1999, Y = 2000, 1 = 2001, 2 = 2002,
3 = 2003, 4 = 2004 5 = 2005, 6 = 2006,
7 = 2007, 8 = 2008, 9= 2009, A=2010, B= 2011
11 Final Assembly Plant Location 4= St. Louis (only a few 1981 Corvette's overlapping ) 5 = Bowling Green
12 to 17 Production sequence number 100000-1????? Example: 800001 = ZR1
