Topic: Breaking down my VIN to RPO codes
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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I secretly purchased a 1977 Vette...to fix up and then later present to the wife (currently giving me 3 Vettes at the same time 
). Paid $5000 and is in pretty good shape...strong engine/drivetrain (previous owner could not finish putting car together and lost his job).
). Paid $5000 and is in pretty good shape...strong engine/drivetrain (previous owner could not finish putting car together and lost his job).
I'm looking to break down the VIN into RPO codes...got all the other generic stuff for 1977. I'm looking to avoid having to 'buy' the info that comes on the build sheet and thought maybe some C3 member moonlights as a C3 info guru. 
The VIN: 1 Z 3 7 L 7 S 4 2 1 3 3 4
Thanx ahead of time!
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VIN 1-Z-37-L-7-S-421334
Division (1): Chevrolet
Car Line (Z): Corvette
Body Style (37): Two-Door Coupe
Engine Type (L): L48-350ci,180hp
Model Year (7): 1977
Plant (S): St. Louis, MO
Sequence Number: 421334
I'm not sure what other info you can get from just the VIN. The trim tag on the drvier's side door jam will give you a little more info about the car's color and interior trim level.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Got that info as well...thanx anyways!
What I was looking for is someone that might have access to some obsure database that will match up the VIN with what would appear on the invoice as far as what kind of options the car has on it...
The only other source I know of is paying $50 for a copy of the invoice...which I have for my '82 and made into a window sticker.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Unless you can find a build sheet stuck in it somewhere, there's now possible way to know how the car was equipped from the factory. A dealer invoice wold give similar info. There's no database anywhere that can give you all that info from just a VIN.....GM just didn't keep that kind of records at the time.
I can check at NCRS and see if anyone happens to have any paperwork on it, tho.
Found a couple that are close, but.....no see-gar....
Got some papers for 21139, and 21773...
|UPDATED|4/18/2014 9:23:11 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I can check at NCRS and see if anyone happens to have any paperwork on it, tho.
Found a couple that are close, but.....no see-gar....Got some papers for 21139, and 21773...
|UPDATED|4/18/2014 9:23:11 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Hey thanx!...
I don't wanna be a cheapy, but simply finding out something about your car should never cost. Having getting the invoice for my '82 cost plenty, and I didn't see cost advantage on repeating this process for the '77.
Glad to know you seem to have access to the NCRS...that would help obviously is breaking down the RPO's for this one. Thanx once again!
Hi: I am a registered archivist for GM and the only record left is to pay the $50 to get your invoice from the the outside contractor. I have a 1977 that was built 3 cars ahead of the 500,000th Corvette on March 15th, 1977. The invoice copy has all pertinent info without guessing about original equipment. Let me know if I can help!
Ralph Tileston
Ralph D. Tileston
RalphTil said: Hi: I am a registered archivist for GM and the only record left is to pay the $50 to get your invoice from the the outside contractor. I have a 1977 that was built 3 cars ahead of the 500,000th Corvette on March 15th, 1977. The invoice copy has all pertinent info without guessing about original equipment. Let me know if I can help!
Ralph Tileston
What kind of info can you get on my 72?
RalphTil said: Hi: I am a registered archivist for GM and the only record left is to pay the $50 to get your invoice from the the outside contractor. I have a 1977 that was built 3 cars ahead of the 500,000th Corvette on March 15th, 1977. The invoice copy has all pertinent info without guessing about original equipment. Let me know if I can help!
Ralph Tileston
Like I mentioned before...I paid that $50 once for the '82...and you're correct...it gave me everything about the car I needed to know to the point of having a window sticker 'built' from the information through the NCM.
I'm wanting to avoid that cost a second time if possible. Just being the cheap 'ol me!
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MYRTLE BEACH, SC - USA
Joined: 10/16/2002
Posts: 82
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary
NCRS Five-Star Bowtie
50th Corvette Anniversary Display, Nashville, TN
1978 Pace Car VIN 2324 L82/M21
Look at your emission sticker and you can identify emission control devices that were installed...but given that its an L48 M40...should not be a big mystery.
|UPDATED|4/18/2014 12:32:50 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Otherwise as stated, options are limited to the dealer invoice. I'm NCRS and NCRS has no database that will mysteriously reveal RPOs associated with a late model C3 VIN. The only serious work that NCRS conducts are for those highly valued, highly optioned C2s-early C3s...and owners pay for that as well and with less results than that $50 dealer invoice! 
|UPDATED|4/18/2014 12:32:50 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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