Is it possible to confirm certain options by just the VIN? NEED HELP ASAP!!!

[VTECeateR]

My friend is looking at a 59 Vette and the seller says its factory correct. Is there a way to tell by just the VIN?

I need to confirm the color (black), build date, and if it's a fuelie.

All I have right now is the VIN (759S103602) (i wonder if the first digit should be a J????)

Any help would be GREAT.

Andre

 

[c5vetter]

you cannot tell much of anything from the VIN - you need to get information from the TRIM TAG, which will tell you the color, etc. there are solid axle guys that can tell you more than I

 

[c5vetter]

6speeder,

the museum only has build sheets for cars after around 1981

 

[VTECeateR]

thanks C5vetter,

I'll tell them to check the trim tag. I've printed out all the pertinent info from the resources on this great site. This is a great start.


THANK YOU!!!!

 

[John Mcgraw]

Unfortunately, no C1 cars had a trim tag. If a color change or engine type change has been done with attention to detail, then it is almost impossible to tell if it was the original configuration or not. On the 59 model year, the VIN derivative was not even stamped on the block. The VIN stamp on the engine pad did not start until early 1960 model year. There is absolutely no way of telling what the original equipment that was on the car when it was delivered from the factory. There are little subtle clues that experienced C1 people look for to confirm drive trains and other options, but a good restorer can thwart even the most knowledgable detective.
Regards, John McGraw

 

[61 Silver]

Hi!

Check the block pad for a suffix. CR or CS is for a 1959 fuelie with standard transmission. If the owner will let you remove the cardboard panel in the trunk and you can scrape an area on the right or passenger side you may find the color written in grease pencil. As posted earlier, if the restoration is of high quality and correct paint for the year, it will be very hard for any one to ever tell. There was just a discussion on the NCRS board on how to determine if a solid axel was a true fuelie. Check the NCRS achieves.

http://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive.html

Good luck

 

[Tom Bryant]

Yes, the first character of the serial number is a "J". You may be able to read the color marking behind the trunk cardboard panel without scraping. My car clearly shows BLK for black through the red paint now on it. Unless someone has origional paperwork for this car the only way to determine the origional equipment and options is through diligent detective work. Even then some things will be just your best guess. Also you can load up a car with correct options and driveline that was in no way origional to that car. Be cautious of seller claims.

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

'59 #3602 was produced on January 23rd, give or take a couple of days; if the seller is claiming an original engine (highly unlikely after 45 years), the casting date and pad stamp date should make sense relative to a January 23rd car assembly date. Should be a 3756519 block with 3755550 heads (staggered valve cover bolt locations - the change to the 465 heads with parallel valve cover bolt holes didn't happen until March).

 

[iron cross]

Dealer Invoice

For exactly what came on the car, a dealer invoice matching the vin would be necessary for proof positive of the factory ordered RPO`s such as below from my 1962. :cool

 

[VTECeateR]

This is all VERY helpful. I am sort of a third party in all this, and from what I've been told, the car has a 4 barrel carbeurator on it right now, BUT HAS THE FUEL INJECTION WITH THE CAR. We were told that back in the day, few people knew how to work on FI systems, so the owner opted for the 4bbl setup.

If they get the car, I will post pics, as I'm sure you guys are at least slightly curious...

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[Tom Bryant]

Keep us posted. Sounds like an interesting car.

 

[vettefinderjim]

If you get stuck!!!

If you need help, there is a lot of it here. I need to see the car or at least talk to someone to give you some tips on what to look for.
Call me if you need info. 909-794-7905

Jim