Corvette Vin Numbers

V.I.N. Verification

Here are a few VIN facts:

Each VIN number is unique to that Vette
The VIN is assigned, in sequence, during vehicle assembly
The last 6 numbers of the VIN is the production sequence number, this is what makes the Vette unique
The production sequence number starts at one and keeps going
The VIN number is stamped on several location of the Vette frame for theft recovery
Some production sequence numbers start with a special number, the ZR1 starts with 800001
1953 to 1956 the VIN sequence numbers started at 1000
From 1960 to the present the VIN sequence number is stamped on the passenger side of the engine block
1963 to present Vette's VIN's have a digit for coupe or convertible
In 1968 a Federal law stated VIN's must be visible from outside the vehicle to benefit the police
In 1972 the engine code was added to the VIN
In 1973, 4000 VIN's were missing so production is 4000 less than the last sequence number
In 1981 a 17 digit VIN number was made the standard by auto makers around the world
In 1981 Vettes were built in St. Louis, Missouri, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, for a two month period. Note: The VIN's for the 1981's built in St. Louis use a combination of the orange and red tables below

Where Is The VIN?
Year
VIN Location
1953 to early 1960	Driver-side door post
1960 to 1962	Steering column in the engine compartment
1963 to 1967	Instrument panel support brace under the glove box
1968 to Present	Drivers side top of the instrument panel or windshield post (A-pillar)

1965 to 1971 13 digit VIN Explanation
Position
Description	Code
1	GM division	1 = Chevrolet
2	Car line or series	9 = Corvette
3	Engine type	4 = V8
4 & 5	Body style	3 & 7 = two door coupe 6 & 7 = two door convertible
6	Model year GM decided to give the car	5 = 1965, 6 = 1966, 7 = 1967 8 = 1968, 9 = 1969, 0 = 1970, 1 = 1971
7	Assembly plant or location	S = St. Louis
8 to 13	Production sequence number	100001 - ?

1972 to 1980 13 digit VIN Explanation
Position
Description	Code
1	GM division	1 = Chevrolet
2	Car line or series	Z = Corvette
3 & 4	Body style	3 & 7 = two door coupe 8 & 7 = two door coupe(1978 to 1980) 6 & 7 = two door convertible
5	Engine type	1972 -> K = base, L = LT1, W = LS5 1973 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4 1974 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4 1975 -> J = L48, T = L82 1976 -> J = L48, X = L82 1977 -> L = L48, X = L82 1978 -> L = L48, 4 = L82 1979 -> 8 = L48, 4 = L82 1980 -> H = LG4, 8 = L48, 6 = L82
6	Model year GM decided to give the car	2 = 1972, 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975 6 = 1976, 7 = 1977, 8 = 1978, 9 = 1979, A = 1980
7	Assembly plant or location	S = St. Louis
8 to 13	Production sequence number	400001 - ?

1981 to Present Standardized 17 digit VIN Explanation
Position
Description	Code
1	Country the car was manufactured in	1 = USA
2	Corporation that built the car	G = GM
3	Make of the car	1 = Chevrolet
4	Car line or series	Y = Y-body series
5	Additional information about the Vette	Usually a Y but a Z = ZR1
6	Body style	1 = two door coupe 3 = convertible
7	Restraint system	3 = late model seat belts warning and air bags
8	Engine type	8 = L98, P = LT1, J = ZR1, 5 = LT4
9	Randomly generated check digit	0 - 9
10	Model year GM decided to give the car	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
11	Assembly plant or location	5 = Bowling Green
12 to 17	Production sequence number	Example: 800001 = ZR1