Need to help identifing corvette.

[82z96ss]

I have a friend that recently bought a vette. He would like to see what the orginal car was orginally equiped with.

Here is the VIN: 30867S105796

The S maybe a 5.

But then again this doesn't even look like a vin number now that I look like it! Any help.

[Pantera]

That is part of a '67 S/N (if your numbers are correct) but you need to go back and get the first numbers up to the "S" to be sure. All a Vette sn will tell you is that it is a Cpe. or Conv. and what date it was made.

The rest is on a Sheet that is glued (if you are lucky) to the top of the gas tank.

[DANA/TA]

Your Vin # is correct for a 1963 Corvette Convertible. The questionable S in fact stands for the St Louis assy plant. The car is the 5796th 1963 Corvette built. There is no way to tell from the serial # what drive train was in your car. The trim plate will reflect the ECL's that were required for your interior options such as PW, Hardtop, manual or automatic, leather, radio and a/c.

Are your gauges original or restored? Is the center exhaust hanger still there? If so what size are the clamps 2" or 2-1/5"?

[82z96ss]

Dana- I'll try and find out your questions. I verified the S/N today and it is correct. I also be checking to see if there is a sheet under the tank.

Thanks for the help http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[GMH454]

If its a 1963 you might have a problem with a tank sticker.
Kind of remember in a past life as a Vette restorer that they did not put Tank Stickers on until around 1967.

[DANA/TA]

GMH454 is correct. You won't find a tank sticker or a build sheet anywhere on the car. Only by inspecting all of the original components of the car and knowing how to eliminate parts that are mismatched, will you be able to come close to deciding what it was built as by the factory. For instance if it has Fuel Injection with a welded right exhaust manifold heat tube and a replacement core support I doubt if it was a factory Fuel Car. Study the assembly manual that is available for the car and cross reference for each option you have to make sure they are installed correctly and that they were available with the other options on the car. Not all options were avalable with the HP motors. Good luck.

Mike

[82z96ss]

I appreciate the help fellas. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[TimG]

The redline on the tach will tell you what engine may have come in the car. Solid lifter engines had 6500 RPM redline.
Also, solid lifter cars had 80 lb oil pressure gauge vs a 60 lb. Steep gears, 4.11 & 3.70, only came with HP engines. Solid lifter cars were the 340 horse (carb) and 360 horse fuelie engine cars.

[DANA/TA]

Make sure that the gauges don't look better than the overall car. The gauge faces can be refinished to whatever red line you want. Many cars are made to look like HiPo cars when the the rest of the car doesn't support the gauge cluster. It is a common occurance with Corvettes. A car percieved to be a high perfomance car always brings in the bigger money. Do your homework.
Mike

[olredalert]

-------Mike is right. The guages are only a little harder to change than the tires,but rarely do the installers leave them with any dirt on them so they sort of stick out on an unrestored car..........Bill S

[Vettefinderjim]

Seems like all my Corvette buds are jumping in here.......so here is my 2cents.

What does the trim tag say under the glove box next to the vin tag?
It will tell when the body was built, what exterior color, and what interior trim. The ECL codes will also help with options the car came with like radio, power steering etc.

Over the years, I have noted that most restorers were lazy in the old days.....and did not have much money, so they only changed items that had to be changed. For instance, if the engine blew on its original 300hp and the owner wanted to replace it with a 340hp engine, he would restamp the motor and make it 'look' correct, but use the original carb, alternator, regulator, pulleys etc. If you look closely at all the parts....check the numbers and post them here, chances are old DANA T/A will catch them. He use to be a wild judge in the old days!!....and can probably spot the cars history.
Jim

[DANA/TA]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jim. But did ya have to say "Old Day's."

Mike