ID 1971 Vette

[02coupe]

I am looking at buying a 71 LT1, Steel Cities Grey coupe.
How can I decode the car so I can make sure it's really an LT1 car (only 1900+ car built w/LT1 motor). The VIN numbers in 71 do not have motor code's in them. Does the trim tag?.
How about the block number?. HELP!

 

[MidShark]

The trim tag doesn't tell you if it's an LT-1 either. The 3 letter suffix stamped on the RH front of the block should be CGZ (or CGY if you were lucky enough to stumble upon a ZR-1). If there is no documentation (tank sticker, window sticker), look for LT-1 specific items such as a single fuel tank to pump line (no return line), transistorized ignition- even if the distributor has been replaced, look for the amp unit or evidence that there was one to the left of the radiator support. You can barely see it with the hood open if you look really hard.
Post the numbers off the engine and carb and we can de-code them here to see if everything sounds like it adds up.

Good hunting! Rich

 

[knish71]

Also, check the tach for a 6500 redline, no radiator overflow tank, like Rich said, it should only have 1 fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump (no return line), and the T.I. box on my car cannot be seen unless your a contortionist. You can check the front of the left inner fender for the 3 mounting holes. If the amp is still mounted, you'll see the bolts, if not, at least it was once there. The complete T.I. system is pretty expensive to replace if that is what you'd want.

Again like Rich mentioned, the trim tag nor the vin will indicate the options on the car with the exception to the trim tag codes for the exterior and interior colors as well as the build date.

Check the block for CGZ or CGY (if it's a ZR-1).

Good Luck

Robert

 

[rainman]

Some cars seem to have the engine suffix stamped on the bottom left of the certification label in the door jam. This picture is from a 71 coupe that I sold about two weeks ago. The CGZ shows up fairly well. Not all cars have this and some aren't very legible. On the 2 70 LT-1s I have owned one did not have anything stamped and the other was so faint that you could just make out the CTU.

 

[early shark]

Rainman:

Great picture! On my '71 LS-6, it has a perfect label also, you can read the entire engine stamp, and the stamp to the right is the transmission stamp, these were taken from the protect-o-plate.

Both stampings on my label are legible, and it happens to be a April build also!

Those of us with this anomaly are indeed very lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rainman]

I thought the stamp below the vin was the transmission. It is difficult to read but seems to match. My 70 is even less clear and it looks like the rear diff below the vin, but is hard to tell. These stamps are just another clue that may point towards the original engine.

 

[Lindquist]

I am looking at buying a 71 LT1, Steel Cities Grey coupe.
How can I decode the car so I can make sure it's really an LT1 car (only 1900+ car built w/LT1 motor). The VIN numbers in 71 do not have motor code's in them. Does the trim tag?.
How about the block number?. HELP!

The protect-o-plate will have the Lt-1 block CGZ code stamped on it.