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Topic: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code?

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Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (8/18)
 4/28/14 3:41pm
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2387

Clap  Mr. Apple, THANKS for the pics. That will make the search closer.

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Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (9/18)
 4/28/14 4:07pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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IF the title VIN does not match the vehicle VIN, you may be in for some trouble a the registration office, or if you get stopped for some reason by law enforcement. It's definitely possible that someone at the DMV had a typo on the title, but...that really needs to be corrected....you certainly don't wanna loose the car over a discrepancy like that. You may need to have the car inspected by the local State Trooper or DMV to verify the VIN tag, engine, and frame numbers on the car match. IF at least two of those match, they can correct the title and everything will be good. The engine number isn't as important in this case as the frame and VIN numbers, since the engine could have been changed for all you know.
Here's to hoping it's just a typo on the title. When I got the '74, and changed the registration to my name, they did that...put the wrong number in....as soon as I got the title back and saw that, I immediately contacted the DMV, and they fixed it.

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Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (10/18)
 4/28/14 9:04pm
barwick27
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Okay, I have the answer...the title was wrong, someone had written a 'Y' rather than a 'J', so it's a base engine with the chrome rocker covers...I was hoping it would have been the 'T'...but no worries, it's still a low milage convertible.

I know have the body plate details too...

Chevrolet A21, Trim 413 - Midnight Blue, Paint 922 - Medium Blue

I've asked the owner to change the title before I have the car picked up as it will be easier for him to do it than for me to explain to the local DMV.
Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (11/18)
 4/28/14 10:35pm
barwick27
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PIC 1

PIC 2

PIC 3



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|UPDATED|4/28/2014 7:35:19 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (12/18)
 4/28/14 10:41pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

HOLY MOLY!!! That's a big project! LOL
Are you getting all the parts to fix it, too? Looks like a lot of work! But then again....I'm lazy, so......LOL

A21 is the body build date, which is August 21 of '72...1st or 2nd day of the '73 model year production. Sure hope the PO can get the title taken care of. Other than the front end, it's not a bad lookin car. Thumbs Up


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Joel Adams
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Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (13/18)
 4/28/14 11:27pm
manget1Lifetime Member
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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible


Joined: 9/3/2006
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I agree with Joel on both counts - good looking car other than the front end; and DON'T buy that car until the title is correct!!! As you said, it's going to be a lot easier for him to get it fixed than you

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Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (14/18)
 4/29/14 7:21am
barwick27
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The interior is not bad either




(modified large images to links-aapple)


|UPDATED|4/29/2014 4:21:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (15/18)
 4/29/14 9:18am
barwick27
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Good news, the title has been corrected this morning and now matches the car...it wasn't as painfully as I thought it might be.
Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (16/18)
 4/29/14 12:31pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

 Clap Thumbs Up  Clap Thumbs Up   Clap Thumbs Up

Looks like someone put L-82 valve covers on it...bonus!
Does the seller have any of the parts you'll need to repair it?

btw...for anyone that is wondering, THIS shot Interior pic 2  is the perfect view to show how far the engine is off-set to the passenger side on these cars. Thumbs Up

|UPDATED|4/29/2014 9:31:11 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
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             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (17/18)
 5/1/14 9:47am
barwick27
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Hi Adam's Apple, yes, the previous owner has a lot of parts for the car. He bought a usable front end that needs a little work, but it's all there and can be repaired and used. He also bought a few NOS parts like the grill and nose to replace the damaged ones. I'm still going to have to source parts, plus I want to replace and fix anything that is past it's sell by date like weather seal, bushes...I may as well do it now while the car will be worked on and before I get it back on the road again.  

I'll post more photos when I actually have the car and parts.

Thanks again for all of the help, suggestions and comments

Peter
Re: Decoding the VIN for a 73 Corvette - 'Y' engine code? (18/18)
 5/1/14 12:42pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

 Thumbs Up Good to hear.....that'll save ya plenty of time looking! Good luck with the project, and we're all here to help with any questions. Tongue

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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