Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

Assuming VIN tags/plates were produced with Addressograph / Multigraph machines (and I don't know that for sure)...it just so happens that the letter "A" is just left of the letter "S" on a "standard" keyboard. A quick web search shows two vintage A/M machines with standard keyboards ("A" left of "S"). Other posts on this TDB have referenced typos...could this be another example?

Why would they type anything but the actual sequence # Would have thought the other #'S were already there for Coups & Convertibles. That would make sense for how it could happen on the VIN tag Terry talked about.

[Mark F.]

Re: Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

Yep - My thoughts, too...kinda like a typesetter might do with a typeset rack all made up in advance with the "repeating" characters "194377S1"...as well as a rack with "194677S1"...last 5 to follow.

But I don't know if A/M machines had that capability (partially stored character sequences - followed by hand-entered ones) - I've never seen a picture of the machine they used at St.L.; and I have never seen one of these machines (of that vintage) in person.

Also what I find interesting about Tim's comment is that the letter "W" is just above the letter "S" on a "standard" keyboard. Same thing as before - a quick web search (again) shows multiple vintage A/M machines with standard keyboards ("W" above the "S"). Who knows, there might also be an "E"; "D"; "X"; or "Z" out there, too (the other letters surrounding "S").

I stare at a keyboard a good part of my day and found all of these letters and their proximity to each other "interesting".
However, speculation can be dangerous, so I will cease and desist.

[David B.]

Re: Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

I recall that "A" stands for the Atlanta assembly plant. No Corvettes were built there...ever. Your state DOT can correct the obvious error, either with a state-issued VIN Tag or acceptance of the tag on the car. If this were my car, I would want to get this fixed sooner rather than later. BTW, we have seen coupes with roadster VIN's and vice versa.
Dave

[James G.]

Re: Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

Yep - My thoughts, too...kinda like a typesetter might do with a typeset rack all made up in advance with the "repeating" characters "194377S1"...as well as a rack with "194677S1"...last 5 to follow.

But I don't know if A/M machines had that capability (partially stored character sequences - followed by hand-entered ones) - I've never seen a picture of the machine they used at St.L.; and I have never seen one of these machines (of that vintage) in person.

Also what I find interesting about Tim's comment is that the letter "W" is just above the letter "S" on a "standard" keyboard. Same thing as before - a quick web search (again) shows multiple vintage A/M machines with standard keyboards ("W" above the "S"). Who knows, there might also be an "E"; "D"; "X"; or "Z" out there, too (the other letters surrounding "S").

I stare at a keyboard a good part of my day and found all of these letters and their proximity to each other "interesting".
However, speculation can be dangerous, so I will cease and desist.

I have a friend that owns his uncle's 1965 coupe who bought it new . It's vin tag is 194675S..... for a convertible. All the sequence code numbers are all on the engine parts and paperwork. He got his Chevrolet dealer to write a letter explaining mistake. DMV wanted to issue state vin number. Owner said no, he left it as is

[Joe L.]

Re: Serial number conundrum '67 Corvette

My Bill of Sale, Corvette Owners ID card and my Protect-O-Plate indicate a serial number of 194677S109481, however, my VIN plate (I am the original owner and it hasn’t been tampered with) has the same numbers but with the letter “A” in place of the “S.” On occasion this has caused some consternation at registration time. Has this occurred before in anyone's experience?

George------

The Corvette owner's ID card and protect-o-plate are not official documents. They carry no legal weight, at all. The Bill of Sale might be a useful document but one is not required to have one in most states.

The real question is does the number on the VIN plate match the number on your registration certificate and owner's certificate (sometimes called a "pink slip"). If the numbers match in all three places, I don't see where you have a problem. Yes, it's an anomaly and almost certainly the result of a factory mistake but other than a judging issue, it has no negative implication for you. I highly doubt that you'd get any state to allow you to correct the mistake by allowing you to have a new "reproduction" VIN tag made up and issuing new paperwork to match. As far as the DMV would be concerned, it's fine just the way it is.

If the numbers on the VIN plate and numbers on the ownership documents do not match, that's another story. That does need to be corrected. However, and unfortunately, I suspect that the state's DMV is only going to go along with the removal of the current VIN plate, the assignment of a state issued VIN plate and a corresponding change to your registration and ownership documents. I'd be surprised if they offered any other solution.