on a vin number 0n a 1990 corvette there are 9 digits and then what appears to be a backslash over a line and then the last 7 digits. does anyone know how to type that symbol or what to replace it with? sorry if in the wrong forum.

just a quick update. just found out it is the letter L which is for the model year. the only thing now i can't figure out unless i copied the wrong number is the 9 before the L. according to the vin decoder it says it's an invalid vin. all the other info comes up right.

According to the Black Book, the 9th digit "is a security code and varies".

thanks mike

Mike is right.  The ninth digit is called the check digit.  It is coded to certain lots of vehicles of the same model.  It verifies that the VIN is a valid number for that particular model and year.  I you have the complete VIN, I have the capability to check it for validity (Law enforcement).

thanks jim. must be a valid number as i registered it today and motor vehicles gave me no problems. did the vin decoder here tonite and now it says it's a valid number.