Corvette VIN Introduction: What Does It All Mean?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code used by auto makers to identify individual motor vehicles. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a VIN plate and yours could be impounded if the VIN plate is missing. In addition to keeping you legal, your VIN can tell you a lot about your Corvette. Mid America Motorworks reviews the different mounting styles and locations of VIN plates over the years and the basic information that you can learn from the VIN.

On The Move – VIN Plate Locations

The location of the VIN plate, originally called the serial number plate, changed over time in Corvettes. In production from 1953 to very early 1960, the VIN plate was located on the driver's side front pillar. It was affixed in place with screws.

In early 1960 production (around VIN 1,200), the plate was moved to an underhood location and spot welded to the outer mask jacket of the steering column. It was located here through 1962 production, however the spot welds had a tendency to break loose, resulting in a missing VIN plate.

In 1963 the VIN plate was once again relocated to a horizontal body support, called a Z brace because of its shape. The VIN plate was visible under the glove box door on the Z brace, with a trim tag welded to the left of it.

The VIN plate remained on the Z brace through 1967 production, with a few small alterations. In 1964, a greenish zinc dichromate primer was applied to the internal body structure of Corvettes. In order to get a secure spot weld, the primer was ground away on the Z brace to achieve a good metal-to-metal contact. This grinding action is sometimes mistaken as evidence of tampering. Keep in mind that grind marks alone do not disqualify a 1964 from being original.

As production began in 1965, the VIN plate was attached to the Z brace of Corvettes using a common type pop rivet instead of spot welding. Around VIN 5,800, the legally accepted rosette head rivet began to be used. This rivet had scalloped edges and was used exclusively by the automotive industry to assure authenticity. The common pop rivet continued to be mixed in until approximately 10,000 Corvettes had been produced. From 1965 until 2013, the rosette head rivets have been used to secure the VIN plates.

For the first time in 1968, the VIN plate was moved from the Z brace to the driver's side A pillar. This made the VIN plate visible from the outside of the car.

It also placed the plate behind the windshield, deterring those who might tamper with or change a VIN plate. The plate remained on the left A pillar from 1968 to 1982. One important change occurred in 1970, when the previously named serial plate became officially titled the Vehicle Identification Number.

The VIN plate actually changed locations one last time in 1983, moving to the left upper front section of the dash. Because the 1983 Corvettes were never released to the public, the first production year with dash-mounted VIN plates was 1984. This is still the location of VIN plates today.

Crack The Code – What Your VIN Can Tell You

So what does a VIN tell you about your Corvette? Lots of things – if you know what you're looking for! Over time, VINs have grown from 10 digits during the 1953 production to 17 digits through 2015 production. New digits were incorporated to identify traits including engine size, body style, Special Edition, vehicle restraint systems and more.

1953 – 1959: VINs contained Model and Series, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1960 – 1964: VINs contained Model Year, Series, Body Style, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1965 – 1971: The information on VIN plates was reorganized to include Chevrolet Division, Series, Body Style, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1972 – 1977: An additional digit was added to VINs to denote the engine size.
1978: With the 25th Anniversary of the Corvette, it finally had the honor to pace the Indy 500. Corvette gave a different production number to the Pace Cars, the first time a Special Edition received different designation on a VIN.

1979 – 1980: VINs contained Chevrolet Division, Series, Body Style, Engine Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1981: VINs added digits to identify the Restraint System and Security Code for each Corvette.
1982: The VIN content was revised to include Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Make and Type, Restraint System, Carline/Series, Body Type, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers. The Collector Edition Corvettes received a different digit within the VIN to designate them as Special Editions.
1984 – 1986: VINs information consistent, including Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Make and Type, Restraint System, Carline/Series, Body Type, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1987 – 1989: These VINs included Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Make and Type, Carline, Series, Body Type, Restraint System, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
1990 – 1995: VINs once again included different digits to indicate the ZR1 models.

1996: VIN information remained the same as previous years, with a special digit for the Grand Sport Corvettes.
1997 – 2004: VIN plates included Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Chevrolet Division, Series, Model, Body Style, Restraint System, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
2005 – 2009: VIN plates included Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Chevrolet Division, Series, Model, Body Style, Restraint System, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers.
2010: VINs included Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Make, Carline, Model and Equipment, Body Style, Restraint System, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers. The ZR1 model was giving a different digit within the VIN.
2011: A different digit was used in Production Numbers of the ZR1 and Z06 Carbon models.
2012: The ZR1 model was given a different digit on the VIN.
2013: The 427 Convertible and the ZR1 models were given a different digit on the VIN.
2014 – 2015: VINs include Country of Origin, Manufacturer, Make, Carline, Model and Equipment, Body Style, Restraint System, Engine Code, Security Code, Model Year, Assembly Plant and Production Numbers. In 2014, a different digit was used for the pilot vehicles, the Stingray, premiere Coupe and the premiere Convertible models. In 2015, a different digit is used for the pilot Stingray, pilot Z06, production Stingray and production Z06 models.