1980 l82

[fngL82]

I recently acquired a 1980 L82 that has no vin tag but has a NY state replacement sticker on the door and is registered as so. When putting in a new rad support I found a front end support rod which apparently was not used after 1979. Is it possible I have a late production 79? Where can I find VIN when the window plate is gone and I dont see anything on the block? Body is 1980 all the ay around.

 

[herminator]

You will likely only find parts of the VIN elsewhere. Pull the seat belt straps all the way out and there should be some VIN numbers there. Some cars have a tag in the glove compartment with the VIN. Let me know what you find/don't find and I can research other potential locations.

 

[bagger]

Try your tranny. Numbers usually stamped there.

 

[fngL82]

I didnt see anything in the glove box, but I will check the tranny and seat belts as soon as she returns from the garage( the radiator support rotted away and the rad fell out haha).

 

[Tom73]

I recently acquired a 1980 L82 that has no vin tag but has a NY state replacement sticker on the door and is registered as so. When putting in a new rad support I found a front end support rod which apparently was not used after 1979. Is it possible I have a late production 79?

Since it has a state VIN I would guess that it is a salvage car made up of many different parts from many different years. :ugh

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

There are no VIN numbers on seat belts or in the glove box, so don't waste your time.

An '80 has a very different nose than a '79 that should give you a clue.

Is the engine original? If so, there might still be some info on the stamp pad. There might be a trim tag still on the drivers side pillar post, let us have the numbers.

 

[6880 Mike]

...Pull the seat belt straps all the way out and there should be some VIN numbers there...

No VIN derivitives on seat bealts, but you will find a GM parts number and a date code for the belt assembly.

...Some cars have a tag in the glove compartment with the VIN....

Some C4s do; C3s do not.

Check the two numbers stamped on the pad on the block at the front of the right head. All C3 engines have two stampings on the pad. The first will identify the specific engine. Suffix code will be ZBC for the 1980 L-82 engines.

Second number will be the VIN derivitive of the car the engine was originally installed in.

A VIN derivitive is stamped in two places on the left frame rail, neither of which is particularly easy to see with the body on the car. Clean away the road gook and see if you can see the stamp on the top of the frame rail in front of #4 body mount on the driver's side.

Here's the stamp for a '73. Be aware this is the most legible frame stamp I have ever seen. Most are more difficult to read.

You can use your time/build code in the upper right corner of the trim tag to get close to your actual consecutive unit number.

 

[fngL82]

I knew there was going to something fishy about the state vin but this is my first project car. I plan on learning on it before getting an older vette that is actually worth some money. Worst comes to worst, I drop a 454 crate in it and make it a track car.

 

[herminator]

These are all good suggestions and you should get back to us with what you find. It's been a while since I did this so I am not spot on with what you will find and where. There are differences between companies, especially between foreign and domestic, and what was done in various years, but the numbers found can be useful and cross referenced even in some cases if they not not exactly VIN related. I spent some time in stolen vehicle recovery and still have access to the books for LE use for using these numbers as resources.

 

[herminator]

Check the two numbers stamped on the pad on the block at the front of the right head. All C3 engines have two stampings on the pad. The first will identify the specific engine. Suffix code will be ZBC for the 1980 L-82 engines.

Don't be surprised if this is not there. My L-82 was decked and heads resurfaced and this number is gone as a result.

 

[GerryLP]

Longshot here, but get a mirror tool and flashlight and peruse over the front of the fuel tank. Normally, you'll need the tire carrier off to be able to see past it, but perhaps the build sheet still there???

GerryLP:cool

 

[fngL82]

thank you all for the suggestions. I will report back as soon as I get under the car. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone will "overhaul" me.:L Never seen Chip Foose work on a 1980 Vette.

 

[6880 Mike]

...I knew there was going to something fishy about the state vin...

I don't want to rain on your parade, but a state issued VIN usually means the car was stolen and recovered and/or a salvage title.

Check the paperwork on the state VIN; it might list the old, original VIN. All you actually need is the consecutive unit number. The partial VIN will be: 1Z878AS4xxxxx as follows:

1 Chevrolet Division of General Motors
Z Corvette
87 coupe
8 code for the optional L-82 engine
A production year 1980 (first year for a letter)
S plant code for St. Louis, Missouri
4 car line series code for Corvvette (all 80s have this 4)
xxxxx five digits for the consecutive unit number.

The monthly ending VINs are known. You can use your time/build code for the day your car passed the station on the assembly line where the trim tag was attached (in the paint shop) and determine what range your consecutive unit number is probably in.

 

[Evolution1980]

Worst comes to worst, I drop a 454 crate in it and make it a track car.

Taking this literally, it's not just a drop in. To put the additional weight of a 454 in the car will require changing to a 'big block' suspension setup as well as possibly changing the radiator and transmission.
But since you also said, "Make it a track car", I'm going to assume that it will be a complete overhaul and not just the stock car with a 454 dropped in it.

 

[6880 Mike]

Forgot to mention: check the emissions certification label on the driver's door. If it's still there, it has the VIN on it.