D22 code for 64 Corvette

[Tim Jagielski]

I am considering purchasing a 1964 Corvette coupe with a "D22" code stamped on the upper left of the VIN plate. The owner says the car has a 36 gal gas tank. Is this the code for the gas tank? The D22 code appears to be stamped over other lettering on the upper left of the plate.

Also, the engine S/N is stamped two ways on the plate. The first number faces the front of the engine and begins with F052. . . The second number on the plate faces the rear of the engine and begins with 1LLL. . . By facing I mean that you have to stand at the front of the car to read the first number and towards the back of the engine compartment to read the second number. The engine is supposed to be a 300HP 327 4bbl. Made in May 64.

Anyone have any ideas what this means?

Thanks in advance.

[Joe L.]

Re: D22 code for 64 Corvette

Tim-----

I'm not sure which tag that you're referring to. Under the glove box area there is a steel beam that should have TWO plates attached to it. For 1964, these plates were attached by spot welds. One plate is the VIN plate. It should contain the embossed VIN number for the car. At the top there will be the letters "DD". This represents "delivery date". The dealer was supposed to stamp the delivery date here, but most didn't, so the space is often "blank" after the "DD". The only thing else on this palte should be the word "Chevrolet" at the top.

The other plate attached next to this one is the trim tag. This one is headed as follows:

Chevrolet Div. General Motors Corp.

Detroit, Michigan

usually to the left of the "Detroit, Michigan" will be an alpha-numeric code. This represents the body build date. If this is what you're talking about with respect to the "D22", that would indicate a body build of ABOUT November, 1963 (I'm not sure of the use of the "D" code for 1964 models, but it would represent the FOURTH month of the production year).

The remainder of the plate indicates information for body style, body number, trim information, and exterior color information.

There is NO coding on either plate for a car equipped with 36 gallon fuel tank.

In the second paragraph of your question, you refer to the "S/N" and the "plate". There is no plate in the engine compartment that has any numbers or other info stamped on it. If you are referring to the engine STAMP PAD located in front of the right side cylinder head, that should contain an engine build code which begins with "F". It should also contain another series of numbers/letters which is the last 8, or so, characters of the VIN number for the car. BOTH of these stampings should be readable and "right-side-up" when viwed from the front of the car. Any other configuration is likely not original.

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: D22 code for 64 Corvette

Tim,

If the D22 you mention is stamped over other characters, and the engine numbers are facing opposite directions, I would be suspect. Of course, it is difficult to say for certain what it is without viewing the plate or stamp pad. There were alot of irregularities which occurred at the plant, and what you describe is possible, the question is "Is it probable?" Before you buy, see if you can take a digital image so you can get a better opinion. Many on this board would be happy to help.

[Duke W.]

Re: D22 code for 64 Corvette

First, there is no code stamped anywhere on the car to indicate a 36.5 gallon fuel tank, but it is easy to recognize as it takes up most of the rear luggage compartment and is covered with an uncarpeted fiberglass cover that reaches almost as high as the base of the rear widow.

Your description of the VIN plate is unclear and you need to distinguish between the VIN plate and body tag as explained by Joe, but one thing to consider is that a recovered stolen vehicle that has had the VIN plate removed will usually be assigned a VIN by the state on a new VIN plate. The VIN format varies by state but usually does not look like an OEM VIN. A '64 Coupe VIN would look like: 40837S1xxxxx, with the last five digits indicating the sequence number.

In your second paragraph are you refering to the "pad" on the right front top of the engine case that has the engine data? If it's the original engine it should have the VIN sequence number stamped after the stamped Flint engine plant data that indicates the build date and specific engine type/application.

Duke

[Tim Jagielski]

Re: D22 code for 64 Corvette

Joe, Kevin, Duke,

Thanks for the information. Sorry I was not more specific in my descriptions, chalk it up to my not being as familiar as I should be with C2s.

Regarding the D22 question, yes I meant the trim plate rather than the VIN plate. Sounds like it may be the delivery date.

Regarding the engine numbers, yep, I meant the stamp pad. The F code is right side up when you stand a the front of the car, however, the 1LLL code is upside down when you stand at the front of the car. Also the F code does not match the VIN. The owner says that they ran out of engines that year and pulled 327s from stock??? Urban legend???

Also, looks like the gas tank is a standard tank.

The rest of the car is in decent "driver" shape, paint wear, etc. where you would expect it in a 40 year old car. Exterior has a few scrathes and chips.

Again, thanks guys.

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: D22 code for 64 Corvette

Tim,

I am confused about the 1LLL upside down. I have seen some examples where the character "I" (captial "i") was used in place of the numeral "1", but the "L" confounds me. But, I'm not well versed in C2's either

Regarding the owners statement. If GM ran out of engines that year, so they pulled 327's from stock, then they didn't run out, did they? As far as I can see, either the owner doesn't know what is what and is attempting to BS you or ...