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I'm looking at a 1963 coupe that has a VIN that starts with 30867Sxxxxxx. From the research I've done that should be the code for a convertible. The 67 from what I have gathered would represent a roadster while a 37 would be a coupe.
While anything is POSSIBLE, I would consider it HIGHLY unlikley that the car would have left St. Louis with an incorrect coding like this. Much more likely is the possibility that this car had the VIN plate switched somewhere along the way. In this manner, a stolen Corvette can assume a new identity of another Corvette, perhaps wrecked, but with a "clean" title and DMV registration record. In this case, the folks who switched the VIN plate might not have been aware that the body type was coded into the VIN or they knew, but figured that it would never be noticed.
I would do several things before I would even consider purchasing a car like this. First, I would carefully inspect the VIN tag for evidence of re-attachment. 1963 VIN plates were attached by spot-welds. Check to see if the spot welds look clean and original or if the spot welds seem like they're "burned through" the plate. It may be difficult to detect a re-attached VIN plate, though.
Second, insist on checking the frame VIN derivative stamping. This stamping is located on the frame's upper left side rear surface, approximately between the welded in differential crossmember and the centerline of the rear wheel. It's difficult to see and you'll need mirrors to do it. First, though, you'll need to clean the area with a small brush that will fit between the body and the frame at this point. The VIN derivative should match the last several digits of the number on the VIN plate. If not, the owner should have a bill of sale for the frame which includes the VIN derivative found on the frame. This could occur if a frame was replaced. Chances are, though, that the frame has not been replaced, so if the numbers don't match things are looking highly suspicious and should be reported to the police or highway patrol.
If you have any further suspicions about the car or if you're unable to check it out yourself, I'd report it to the local police or the highway patrol in your state.
Didn't we have a fairly lengthy post in the recent past, where someone was advertising a Corvette (on E-Bay?) and it turned out to have a VIN label from a full size Chevy? IIRC, didn't John Hinckley report this to the police, whereby the car was confiscated? If my memory is correct, if may be worth your while to do a search on the subject at this DB and read the thread. Buyer beware seems to apply here.
looking for such a car, but I did see one 10-15 years ago when looking at a car for a friend. Told him to walk, nay, run away. I think the owner is now a guest of the taxpayers in Florence AZ.
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