I'm reading that there are about 300 captured test fleet vehicles.

I have a deposit down on number 000306.

Does anyone know the exact number of test fleet vehicles? Might mine be one of the last test fleet vehicles before the true production line started?

 

I don't think that number has ever been published. I don't see any particular added value (now or in the future) in having the "last" captured test fleet vehicle. Production #1 went for big bucks ($1M).

 

In 50 years maybe it'll be worth a little more than the avg C7...that's interesting. You thinking about wrapping it up and storing it til then?

 

I assume you are referring to a pre-owned '14 model you're thinking of purchasing? Mine is #307 and was sent from BG to Nashville for several weeks along with quite a few others before being transported to my dealer. I was never able to determine what was done there, but mine has had 0 problems so no complaints.

 

No, RC000E, to be perfectly frank, it will probably see boost within a year.

It's more of a "well that's cool" factor to me.

And yes, it is a pre-owned 2014. And that's really cool that you have 307! Our cars were right next to each other on the line. Is yours blue too?

 

Nope-torch red/kahalari, Z51, NPP, 2LT, red calipers, automatic.
Finally took delivery in early October although it was completed the day after Labor Day. I was able to get a copy of the build sheet from the museum before I even got the car...
Yours was more than likely one of the Nashville cars as well. At the time there were a number of us with VIN's trying to find out what was going on there and when the cars would be released. Another dealer in my area received VIN #1000+ something before I got mine as it wasn't subject to the QC hold or whatever took place in Nashville. The delivery mileage was something like 4 so it didn't seem like there were any significant QC road tests involved. I wasn't able to find any evidence of panels/mechanicals being removed/replaced but since I knew it was held for something I tried my best to determine what that was. My dealer was not able to get any info either, and I was dealing with the GM of the store so I know he tried. I wonder if that info will ever be available. Probably would turn out to be nothing significant, but would still be good to know.

 

Wow, I never expected to get such an insightful answer. Thank you very much for that information.

See, this is why I'm back in a Vette. The unmatched level of knowledge on these forums.

I went to a GT-R, and it was fun, and the knowledge-base was actually pretty good, but I then went to a Porsche, and the peer-based knowledge was significantly below the standard I've grown accustomed to here.

 

Go over the car carefully. Captured fleet can be anything from a car that was on display in the GM lobby to the car that Car and Driver beat the heck out of when they got it for a few days.

Dave

 

I have Captured test fleet car 000411 built 07/13

And for those of you posting about having low build numbers and Nashville quality hold cars these aren't the same, I think you will find that our "Captured test fleet" Vehicles were built before yours. I bet your last 6 starts with a 1 which means regular production run... 100307 in the case of the guy above, not a captured test fleet vehicle.

 

I've been watching C7 prices and saw that one in GA. Needless to say, that's about the lowest priced C7 that has a clean carfax in the southeast. I purchased mine about 2 weeks ago. If 306 was available at that price back then, I might have gone for it. I think you made a good move.

 

Exactly, Could be an auto show car that thousands have been in and out of a Ride and drive car or a test car they beat the hell out of.

 

Yes, mine is 100307. Didn't check for the '1' until I got home from work. I never assumed it was a 'captured test vehicle', only a low/early production VIN. It did make the trip to Nashville, though.

 

I have a 2013 GS that was a plant car. VIN #20. When you get it, check the data tag in the glove box. Mine had two unusual RPO's:

OAR - IDENTIFICATION PRE-PRODUCTION ('BUCKET' BATCH BUILD PROCESS) PRE- PRODUCTION VEHICLE(OAR)

WD0 - IDENTIFICATION START OF PLATFORM CONTAINMENT VEHICLES PLATFORM CONTAINMENT VEH(WD0)

It was built on 4/23 in the during the 2012 run.

The window sticker and build sheet both show "shipped" to Bowling Green plant. I don't think it does anything to the value, but it's kind of cool.

When I talked to Wil Cooksey, (former plant manager) he said the purpose of these cars were to be DRIVEN and report back any issues. Mine had 17k miles on it when it was first "sold". When you get it, check the navigation for previous address. Mine had been back to Warren, MI; Nashville, TN; Bryon, GA; Lake City, FL; Kissimmee, FL; Avon, OH; Rockford, IL; Ypsilanti, MI, and the Carlisle Fair Grounds. Wil said these are awesome cars to buy, because the plant goes through them with a fine tooth comb when they are done with them and he had bought several.

How did you find one while it was still with the plant? Here is a pic the last time I was there.

Good luck! Now if I could just find a '16 LBR Spice Edition Z51 convertible, I'd be in heaven!

 

RPO tag on C7's is NOT in the glove box. It is in the rear compartment under the carpet near the battery cover.

 

Update: I drove her home to Maryland on Sunday and she is truly number 000306!





And mine has those codes too!! So cool!





Mine, unfortunately, does not have nav, and it did have another owner since GM before I got ahold of her.

The carfax shows that she left GM ownership around 12k miles if I remember correctly.

What do you mean find it while it was still with the plant?

I have to say it again, I love this forum. You guys rock.

 

Mine had one other owner also. I really didn't figure out mine had been assigned to Bowling Green until I started researching the low VIN. I ran my VIN through a website called compline.com. For $5.00 you can run 5 VIN numbers, and it gives you the descriptions of each option code. "Preproduction" is self explanatory but the "Containment vehicle" is what got me looking. I got the Build Sheet and Window Sticker from the Museum, that's when it shows the Bowling Green plant as the "shipped to" location. Being curious I asked Will Cooksey and he gave me a little more background on these types of cars and how awesome they are to score one.

Sure, as many people have pointed out, the car could have been loaned out to Car Mags for testing and beat on, but they could have just been a preproduction fleet vehicle with the purpose of having miles put on it for plant testing of the new model year platform.

Regarding finding one at the plant, I have tried to figure out exactly who might have had mine at the plant, and I haven't had any luck. Given the amazing condition mine was in I'm guessing it was just a company car like the cars in the picture I provided. I don't think it adds value, but like you, I think it's pretty cool.

Get your build sheet and window sticker from the Museum, and run the VIN in compline.com. Then ENJOY IT! I'm taking my back to the Museum later this year to get some pictures around the plant and Museum.

Congratulations on the awesome catch!!!

 

Interesting to see different fonts used on the vin# especially the 5 after the E. Never saw that on older vettes, when I get home from work I am gonna check out my vin tag to see if the fonts are different.

 

Nice! What's your build date on the sticker inside the drivers door? 7/13 here

 

That is a month and year, just to be clear. July, 2013, not July 13th.

 

Yah. As far as I know "official production" cars were 8/13