This one's a stumper

[D S.]

Check out the VIN on this 1970 Corvette convertible on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1

Is this possible?

The seller says this:

Scott,

Here is the information I have about the VIN number. The number on the VIN plate is definitely a 3 and not a 6. There is no appearance that the car has ever been modified. The number on the car title has the 3 in the VIN number. Fred called the Montana DMV office today and they checked back to 1982 (that is as far as their searchable records go) and the VIN number also has the 3 and not a 6.

One possibility might be that in view of the strike in 1970 and the reduced production of Corvettes, that the factory made a mistake in their hast to produce Corvettes. Who knows? Hope this helps.

[Patrick H.]

Re: This one's a stumper

Ask if the windshield's been replaced, or if they think it's original ask for a picture of the date code and logo. Also a picture of the VIN plate would be nice to check for rosette rivets.

If it is not the original windshield, ask when the car was stolen and the VIN plate swapped. The motor was likely swapped out then too as he admits it's not original. It would be interesting to check the VIN on the trans, and the date codes of various objects on the car.

Really.

Patrick

[D S.]

Re: This one's a stumper

I never considered a windshield frame replacement but wouldn't one need to come from a convertible to mate up?
From time to time I assist Juliet Page in listing 1970 Corvettes on her Registry. I checked the VINs already listed and this one wasn't there. There is one other place where the VIN is stamped and that is on the frame.

[Patrick H.]

Re: This one's a stumper

No, not windshield frame. Just windshield.

Like this:

Remove original windshield.
Take off original VIN plate from car.
Attach new VIN plate from "clean" titled car. Oops, it's a coupe but we didn't know any different.
Install new windshield.

It's just something I'd check if I were interested in the car. Sure, the factory may have made a mistake, but I'd check this car twice. Note the original motor - which also contains the VIN - is gone.

Patrick

[D S.]

Re: This one's a stumper

No, the only interest I have is getting it listed on the 1970 Corvette Registry. Juliet is very strong about getting all of the correct, documented information from a car. As an owner of a 1970 LS-5 I noted, as you did, the other non-original stuff. But since it has a wrong VIN code for a convertible it now concerns me if this is even a '70.

[Mark #28455]

The answer is in the trim tag

From the VIN in question you can calculate the likely build date. Notice the seller DIDN'T answer the question about the date on the trim tag. If the trim tag and VIN don't match up, more likely it's a fake. On the other hand, if the potential faker were Corvette educated, he would have transferred BOTH the trim tag and VIN from the same car - then you are still left in a quandry. But it MAY be a factory mistake.

Mark