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I just purchased a '65 Roadster. The car was restored in 1990 and then parked in my buddies garage. It has less than 200 miles on it since the restoration. I bought the car knowing the numbers did not match. What I have since found out is that the car was stolen sometime in the early seventies and recovered in Arizona where it was given an Arizona VIN. Where on the car can I look for a factory VIN and if I find it is there a way to have the State Patrol re-issue the origional VIN? I am more interested in tracing the history of the car than I am worried about having the correct VIN. I am assuming having the correct VIN will allow me to do this. Also any ideas as to the value of the car? Red, black leather, white top, Carburated 327, fuelie heads, 4-speed, just short of a frame off restoration, overall very good condition. I realize its tough to give an accurate idea without seeing the car, I am just looking for a ballpark figure, I think I stole it. Thanks
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Re: VIN Numbers
Kevin,
Hopefully someone a more "complete" solution will post-up but in the meantime I am assuming that the original trim tag as well as the original VIN tag (riveted to the cross-member under the glovebox) are no longer there.
If the trim tag is still in place it could give you an idea of when the body passed the trim tag station on the assembly line, which could give you an approximate date/month of when the car was assembled. All that in turn could approximate what VIN was originally assigned to the car. Is there any other trail of previous owners?
As far as value, I'm going to run out in the open where anyone can get a shot at me. My OBSERVATION has been that "BALLPARK" value for a Corvette without the "matching numbers" engine is selling for about one-half the value of the same thing that has "numbers matching" (providing the "quality" of all else is the same). I'm going to run for cover now. Best Wishes. Tom -
Re: VIN Numbers
Kevin,
Hopefully someone a more "complete" solution will post-up but in the meantime I am assuming that the original trim tag as well as the original VIN tag (riveted to the cross-member under the glovebox) are no longer there.
If the trim tag is still in place it could give you an idea of when the body passed the trim tag station on the assembly line, which could give you an approximate date/month of when the car was assembled. All that in turn could approximate what VIN was originally assigned to the car. Is there any other trail of previous owners?
As far as value, I'm going to run out in the open where anyone can get a shot at me. My OBSERVATION has been that "BALLPARK" value for a Corvette without the "matching numbers" engine is selling for about one-half the value of the same thing that has "numbers matching" (providing the "quality" of all else is the same). I'm going to run for cover now. Best Wishes. TomComment
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Side-note
Kevin,
If the frame is the correct original frame then it too should have been stamped with the VIN. I didn't think of it right away because it's not readily "observable". I'll be corrected if wrong, but I believe in 65 it was stamped on the top part of the frame inside the left rear wheel well. Usually a lift of the body is necessary to read it, and I DON'T recommend this, but have also heard ways of cutting out some of the wheel well to see/read the number. TomComment
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Side-note
Kevin,
If the frame is the correct original frame then it too should have been stamped with the VIN. I didn't think of it right away because it's not readily "observable". I'll be corrected if wrong, but I believe in 65 it was stamped on the top part of the frame inside the left rear wheel well. Usually a lift of the body is necessary to read it, and I DON'T recommend this, but have also heard ways of cutting out some of the wheel well to see/read the number. TomComment
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Re: VIN Numbers
65 VIN Locations:
As delivered there were six places on the phyisical structure of 1965 Corvette where the VIN or its derivative were recorded. These areas include: (on the frame) the body rail AND rear kick up, the transmission case, the fuel injection plenum if so equiped, the engine pad, and finally the VIN tag itself.
Certain documents were associated with all new Corvettes in 1965. Among them was a window sticker - mandated by federal law to be on new cars when offered for sale. Also, the Chevrolet Corvette Protect - O - Plate / warrantee booklet was included with the owner's packet. Both of these contained the original VIN and were included with the car when new.
Therefore, the owner of a new fuel injected 65 Corvette could look to a minimum of 8 locations where the original VIN or its derivative was recorded. Of course, this does not include the dealer paperwork in connection with the sale of the vehicle.
Al GrenningComment
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Re: VIN Numbers
65 VIN Locations:
As delivered there were six places on the phyisical structure of 1965 Corvette where the VIN or its derivative were recorded. These areas include: (on the frame) the body rail AND rear kick up, the transmission case, the fuel injection plenum if so equiped, the engine pad, and finally the VIN tag itself.
Certain documents were associated with all new Corvettes in 1965. Among them was a window sticker - mandated by federal law to be on new cars when offered for sale. Also, the Chevrolet Corvette Protect - O - Plate / warrantee booklet was included with the owner's packet. Both of these contained the original VIN and were included with the car when new.
Therefore, the owner of a new fuel injected 65 Corvette could look to a minimum of 8 locations where the original VIN or its derivative was recorded. Of course, this does not include the dealer paperwork in connection with the sale of the vehicle.
Al GrenningComment
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Re: VIN Numbers
Kevin,
Just finished helping a friend verify the origonal VIN of his previously stolen '65 convertable. We were lucky, the stamping on the left rear frame kickup was on the outside edge of the frame. Remove the wheel/tire, use a small wire brush or sandpaper to clean the area, wipe with damp rag, then use a small mirror and good lite. You should be able to read it with no trouble. Good luck, BillComment
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Re: VIN Numbers
Kevin,
Just finished helping a friend verify the origonal VIN of his previously stolen '65 convertable. We were lucky, the stamping on the left rear frame kickup was on the outside edge of the frame. Remove the wheel/tire, use a small wire brush or sandpaper to clean the area, wipe with damp rag, then use a small mirror and good lite. You should be able to read it with no trouble. Good luck, BillComment
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Re: VIN Number Locations (on Frame)
Kevin --- Just adding to the frame stampings mentioned by others, and to narrow the search locations: the VIN on the left frame kick-up may be in two locations that offer a flat surface. Slide a finger between the body and top outboard side of the frame, and feel for a slight depression, caused by the "St.Louis whack". This will probably be a few inches forward of the wheel centerline, or, if a late '65 (as determined by other date or VIN derivative locations mentioned by Al), a few inches forward of the rear body mount. Go easy with the wire brush or sandpaper. The other left side frame rail VIN location, also top-outboard, (which I believe is only visible if the frame is lifted) is approximately below the rearmost 6 inches of the door sill plate, or roughly opposite the second-from-the-rear rocker cover hanger (if not cut off for N14 exhaust).Comment
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Re: VIN Number Locations (on Frame)
Kevin --- Just adding to the frame stampings mentioned by others, and to narrow the search locations: the VIN on the left frame kick-up may be in two locations that offer a flat surface. Slide a finger between the body and top outboard side of the frame, and feel for a slight depression, caused by the "St.Louis whack". This will probably be a few inches forward of the wheel centerline, or, if a late '65 (as determined by other date or VIN derivative locations mentioned by Al), a few inches forward of the rear body mount. Go easy with the wire brush or sandpaper. The other left side frame rail VIN location, also top-outboard, (which I believe is only visible if the frame is lifted) is approximately below the rearmost 6 inches of the door sill plate, or roughly opposite the second-from-the-rear rocker cover hanger (if not cut off for N14 exhaust).Comment
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Re: VIN Numbers
As a rule, Arizona MVD pursues the frame serial number as part of their process of issuing an Arizona VIN. They do this in an effort to make sure that there are NO OTHER charges that relate to the vehicle. Records of these investigations are kept - perhaps even longer than normal records because they involve VIN's issued by the state. Contact the general information # of MVD (602)938-5942 and get the name and address of the current Director. Write to he/she and provide all the information you can (including the numbers of any previous Arizona titles & owners that you might have) and give them the "why" in much the same manner as in your original posting and ask for whatever they have. Be sure to OFFER TO PAY ANY FEES that may be involved. You might also ask if the investigation shows the name of any insurance company (including policy #) that may have paid off on such vehicle - might be a short cut to a much earlier owner. Good luck.Comment
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Re: VIN Numbers
As a rule, Arizona MVD pursues the frame serial number as part of their process of issuing an Arizona VIN. They do this in an effort to make sure that there are NO OTHER charges that relate to the vehicle. Records of these investigations are kept - perhaps even longer than normal records because they involve VIN's issued by the state. Contact the general information # of MVD (602)938-5942 and get the name and address of the current Director. Write to he/she and provide all the information you can (including the numbers of any previous Arizona titles & owners that you might have) and give them the "why" in much the same manner as in your original posting and ask for whatever they have. Be sure to OFFER TO PAY ANY FEES that may be involved. You might also ask if the investigation shows the name of any insurance company (including policy #) that may have paid off on such vehicle - might be a short cut to a much earlier owner. Good luck.Comment
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