I'm a new Vette owner doing some minor mods and am replaceing some small body panels, engine plastic etc.
When "numbers" come up what is included? Is there some Number on each and every part that is associated with my car, or
just the mechanicals????

 

There's probably a list somewhere. But unless you've got some super rare option combination or a really low VIN, I wouldn't worry about it. GM builds enough of these cars that very very few of them will ever be collectible.

 

Body panels didn't used to be but since the some time after trucks were used in a couple of terrorist incidents in the US almost every part on a car has the VIN printed/stamped on it somewhere. Maybe body panels will be considered in the numbers matching future. However, engines and engine parts, transmissions, diffs and all the stock hose clamps have some sort of date and product codes and maybe manufacturer's info. I know people who said it was well known when the St. Louis factory changed bolt suppliers. They knew when the bolts were introduced and which side of the car would have had them installed. When I was selling my 71 LS6 in 1987 I had a guy come inspect the car and he told me the left side exhaust manifold was the wrong date code for the car. I had removed the smog air pump and air injectors on that car and noticed every part of that system had some product and date code. Instead of throwing it out back in the 70s I kept it in the garage attic and when I moved south in 2013 I had to get rid of it. What an eBay bidding war. They were worth far more than I ever imagined.

However, none of that stuff will make any difference for the next 15 plus years. Once the car is 20 years old those kinds of things are looked at. You can't go wrong keeping the stuff for some future owner but you won't get any recognition for doing so. Besides a subsequent owner to you may throw the stuff out.

Bill

 

I haven't look at the vette, but my 95 BMW M3 has VIN stickers on every body panel. I've seen replacement panels that have "DOT-R" for replacement, stickers.

But I think the OP is asking about the term "numbers matching" which would be the engine, trans, and possible the diff... All other parts are "date code" meaning they are correct for the car as of the date of production. if the car is built on 3-1-16, a part made in July 7-16 would not be correct. but a part with a date prior to 3-16 wwould be...

 

As ssperry stated, I'm looking at it from a "the car was totaled" or had major work done, not collector data. Even though (Time to brag on a Sunday with beer in hand) my '17 GS CE # 663, is 1 of 792 +/- made for the USA,
was 1 one 645 something that were coupes, that is one of 395 something with A8 Tranny, 1 of 180 something that were the Z06 PKG, and 1 of 30 +/- with all that "stuff" and all carbon fiber flash. With my mods so far 9/17 - present is 1 of 1 in the world.
I don't want to screw up a sale 5-19 years from now if my fender or hood don't "Match".

 

Just so there is no misinformation spread around I work for a major Automobile manufacturer and the body panels DO NOT have VIN numbers stamped on them, It would be a huge hassle and impossible keeping matching parts together as parts are often changed out in assembly and after paint due to in house damage. some parts have a manufacturing date and a sequence number but are only used for tracking if there is ever a problem requiring quarantine of parts. But engines and trans have their on numbers and are not the VIN number although the numbers are logged together during assembly

 

You don't have to worry about "matching" numbers on a C7 Corvette ( or a C5/C6 either)...Chevrolet built enough of these cars that they won't be scrutinized by collectors for decades, maybe never

 

Gen Y and Gen Z are going to be more concerned with numbers matching Apple computers, your car will be a stagecoach by then.

 

Doubtful. As soon as the new iDevice comes out, the old one just gets tossed.

 

http://time.com/money/4327764/apple-...ds-value-ebay/

 

Hey everybody with a new Corvette, especially a new owner, considers it rare and collectable!