What is a VIN, and Where is it Located?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) serves as a car’s fingerprint, helping track its history, recalls (if applicable), and theft prevention.
On C3 Corvettes, you will find the VIN on the driver’s side windshield post, just above the left front fender's edge. It’s stamped on a small metal plate, secured by two rivets, visible from outside the car.
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| Above: 1976 VIN example |
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| Above: 1974 VIN example |
Over time, VIN plates often get rusted or pitted, making them difficult to read.
C3 Corvettes used special Rosette-style rivets, which are not available at GM Service and Parts Departments. However, reproductions are available online, though accuracy may vary.
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| Above: 1971 VIN plate example. |
VINs are federally regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Altering or tampering with a VIN is a serious offense under U.S. Federal law (Title 18, Section 511).
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a free VIN decoder, but only for vehicles manufactured from 1981 onward.
VIN Evolution in C3 Corvettes
Chevrolet first introduced the 13-character VIN format with the 1965 Corvette. It remained unchanged until 1972, when the characters were rearranged. Then, in 1981, the VIN expanded to a 17-character format, closely resembling today’s system.
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| Above: 1981 VIN example |
Other Places to Find the VIN
In addition to the windshield frame, the VIN is stamped on the driver’s side rail of the vehicle’s frame, near the #4 body mount. However, rust and dirt often make it difficult to read. Some claim it’s also stamped on 4-speed manual transmissions, though this remains unverified.
Full VINs were not stamped on Corvette engines. Instead, the last six digits appear on a pad under the passenger-side cylinder head. If these numbers match the car’s VIN production sequence, it qualifies as “numbers-matching.”
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| Above: The first three characters may also indicate a Chevrolet product (1), a 1976 model year (6), and the St. Louis, MO assembly plant (S). But this is just a guess. |
Starting in 1969 or 1970, C3 Corvettes included the VIN on a driver's side door sticker. However, these numbers can be hard to read due to their location, exposure to weather, and occasional vulnerability to UV rays.
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| Above: This one does not look like a 1969 VIN door sticker, even though it was on a restored 1969 Corvette. Even the corners look like they were cut with a pair of scissors. |
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| Above: Here's another one photographed on a 1969 Corvette. It looks brand new, but it does not include the VIN. |
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| Above: Door info sticker applied by the manufacturer on a 1981 Corvette. |
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| Above: Original 1976 door sticker with vehicle info, including the VIN. |
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| Above: 1972 Corvette door sticker showing the VIN. This one looks legit, although I am not sure if they had a clear protective cover. |
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| Above: 1972 Corvette (built in November of 1971). This one looks legit, but it's hard to tell if it is the one applied at the assembly plant. |
Reproduction VIN stickers can be found online, as shown in the photo below. And there are exceptions provided by NHTSA for people and companies that restore vehicles. That makes sense, but on the other hand, it makes it easy for someone to "document" a fake LT-1 Corvette, for example.
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| Above: Dealer-offered option of engraving the VIN on the windshield. |
Why VIN Accuracy Matters
Your Corvette’s VIN should exactly match the number on its title, state registration, and insurance documents. If a Bill of Sale is required for ownership transfer, it must include the VIN to avoid delays and complications.
This info is for general reference. Not legal advice. If you need professional guidance, talk to a car title attorney or visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.
Download a copy of the C3 Corvette VIN Decoder
For personal, non-commercial use onlyModel Year Starting and Ending VINs
1968 194378S400001 → 194378S428566
1969 194379S700001 → 194379S738762
1970 194370S400001 → 194370S417316
1971 194371S100001 → 194371S121801
1972 1Z37K2S500001 → 1Z37K2S527004
1973 1Z37J3S400001 → 1Z37J3S434464
1974 1Z37J4S400001 → 1Z37J4S437502
1975 1Z67J5S400001 → 1Z67J5S438465
1976 1Z37L6S400001 → 1Z37L6S446558
1977 1Z37L7S400001 → 1Z37L7S449213
1978 1Z87L8S400001 → 1Z87L8S440274
1978 1Z87L8S900001 → 1Z87L8S906502 Pace Car Edition
1979 1Z8789S400001 → 1Z8789S453807
1980 1Z878AS400001 → 1Z878AS440614
1981 1G1AY8764BS400001→ 1G1AY8764BS431611 St. Louis
1981 1G1AY8764B5100001 → 1G1AY8764B5108995 Bowling Green
1982 1G1AY8786C5100001 → 1G1AY8786C5125408
1969 194379S700001 → 194379S738762
1970 194370S400001 → 194370S417316
1971 194371S100001 → 194371S121801
1972 1Z37K2S500001 → 1Z37K2S527004
1973 1Z37J3S400001 → 1Z37J3S434464
1974 1Z37J4S400001 → 1Z37J4S437502
1975 1Z67J5S400001 → 1Z67J5S438465
1976 1Z37L6S400001 → 1Z37L6S446558
1977 1Z37L7S400001 → 1Z37L7S449213
1978 1Z87L8S400001 → 1Z87L8S440274
1978 1Z87L8S900001 → 1Z87L8S906502 Pace Car Edition
1979 1Z8789S400001 → 1Z8789S453807
1980 1Z878AS400001 → 1Z878AS440614
1981 1G1AY8764BS400001→ 1G1AY8764BS431611 St. Louis
1981 1G1AY8764B5100001 → 1G1AY8764B5108995 Bowling Green
1982 1G1AY8786C5100001 → 1G1AY8786C5125408
VIN DECODING
1968–1971 Corvette VIN Decoder
Character 1 – Make/Manufacturer: "1" is for Chevrolet
Character 2 – Series/Model: Identifies the series by GM, "9" is for Corvette.
Character 3 – Engine: A "4" indicates a V8 engine, but not specifically which one.
Character 4 & 5 – Body Style: "37" for Coupe, "67" for Convertible.
Character 6 – Model Year: "8" for '68, "9" for '69, "0" for '70, "1" for '71
Character 7 – Assembly Plant: "S" for St. Louis, MO.
Character 8 through 13 – Production Sequence Number.
1968: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 428566)
1969: Production number began with 7 (700001 through 738762)
1970: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 17316)
1971: Production number began with 1 (100001 through 121801)
1972–1980 Corvette VIN Decoder
Chevrolet changed the VIN configuration around again in 1972. It was 13 digits, like in 1965-1971, but the order of characters and their meaning was switched around a bit, but it included year, body style and engine.
Character 1 – Make/Manufacturer: "1" for Chevrolet
Character 2 – Model/Series: "Z" for Corvette
Character 3 & 4 – Body Style: "37" for Coupe, "67" for Convertible, "87" for Coupe (1978-1980)
Character 5 – Engine
Engine VIN codes by year
1972 – "K" for base (350/200 hp), "L" for LT1 (350/255 hp), "W" for LS5 (454/270 hp)
1973 – "J" = L48 (350/190 hp), "T" for L82 (350/250 hp), "Z" for LS4 (454/275 hp)
1974 – "J" for L48 (350/195 hp), "T" for L82 (350/250 hp), "Z" for LS4 (454/270 hp)
1975 – "J" for L48 (350/165 hp), "T" for L82 (350/205 hp)
1976 – "L" for L48 (350/180 hp), "X" for L82 (350/210 hp)
1977 – "L" for L48 (350/180 hp), "X" for L82 (350/210 hp)
1978 – "L" for L48 (350/175 hp), "X" for L82 (350/220 hp)
1979 – "8" for L48 (350/195 hp), "4" for L82 (350/225 hp)
1980 – "H" for LG4 (305/180 hp), "8" for L48 (350/190 hp), "6" for L82 (350/230 hp)
Character 6 – Model Year: "2" for '72, "3" for '73, "4" for '74, "5" for '75, "6" for '76, "7" for '77, "8" for '78, "9" for '79, "A" for '80
Character 7 – Assembly Plant: "S" for St. Louis
Character 8 through 13 – Production Sequence Number
1972: Production number began with 5 (500001 through 527004)
1973: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 434464)
1974: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 437502)
1975: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 438465)
1976: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 446558)
1977: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 449213)
1978: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 440274)
1978: Production number began with 9 (900001 through 906502) Pace Car Edition
1979: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 453807)
1980: Production number began with 4 (400001 through 440614)
1981-1982 Corvette VIN Decoder
Starting in 1981, GM added several characters to the Corvette VIN, bringing the total to 17 characters. The new, longer VIN standardized the decoding process and has remained largely unchanged for over four decades. The extra characters allow for more specific information about each car.
Character 1 – Country of manufacture: "1" for United States
Character 2 – Manufacturer: "G" for General Motors
Character 3 – Make: "1" for Chevrolet
Character 4 – Restraint System: "A" for Manual Belts
Character 5 – Body Series: "Y" for Y Line Body
Character 6 & 7 – Body Style: "87" for Coupe
Character 8 – Engine
Engine VIN codes by year:
1981 – "6" for L81 (5.7L/190 hp)
1982 – "8" for L83 (5.7L/200 hp)
Character 9 – Check Number: Random Security Number. Varies from car to car.
Character 10 – Model Year: "B" for 1981, "C" for 1982
Character 11 – Assembly Plant: "5" for Bowling Green, KY, "S" for St. Louis, MO, (1981 Corvettes were built at both plants).
Character 12 through 17 – Production Number: This is the six-digit build sequence number and starts at 400001 in 1981. In 1982, the Production Sequence Number changed to 100001.
1981: Production number began with 4 for St. Louis (400001 through 431611)
1981: Production number began with 1 for Bowling Green (100001 through 108995)
1982: Production number began with 1 (100001 through 125408)
Download a copy of the C3 Corvette VIN Decoder
For personal, non-commercial use only
Lastly, the VIN does not appear on the Trim Tag. This plate is riveted on the driver's side A-pillar, next to the dashboard area. The trim tag shows the interior trim material and color, the body paint type and color, plus the production date.
If you'd like to decode your car's TRIM TAG, click the link to visit the C3 Vette Registry.
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| Above: 1969 Corvette trim tag example. |
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| Above: 1981 Corvette Trim Tag example. |
DISCLAIMER: This is general information. NOT legal advice. I am not a lawyer. If you require professional advice, contact a Car Title Attorney or talk to an agent at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.