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How do you tell the difference between a 1988 VIN number and a 2018 VIN Number? Both use 10th Digit J and I cannot see any other physical difference.?
Even though they decode differently, the alpha numerics line up. I thought perhaps it might be the Check digit, but I tried identical VINs in two different VIN Decoders one for early cars and one that is later and they were interpreted by both decoders for those years?
Don't answer "the cars look different"
Reason I find this somewhat strange is there vehicles on the road with identical vins, both Corvettes?
Because different years(series) Vettes use what seem to be "identical" VINs doesn't mean the numbers/letters actually used for different year/series cars where ever actually identical. Indeed, I'd be very surprised if that were so for any of them... even once--Fed regs and all. (but, they DO look different, too. ) All the best.
You need to do a little more homework. It's impossible for a 1988 Corvette VIN to match a 2018 VIN.
I think I got it, all digits can be the same except the Restraint system. in 1988 it was a 1 which was passive restraint and in 2018 its always a D, I think