Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

[Paul Marentette]

Hi all. I tried to get some data from GM Canada Vintage Info Services today. Gave them the VIN to find out the original equipment list but they could not help me. Seems the car was imported from the states and they have no Canadian records on it.

She also said that GM in the US no longer provides any of that data. So they apparently aren't going to be of any use, either.

Anyone with suggestions on where I might collect this info? I'd love to know what the original engine might have been, in case I ever get fed up with my biggie piggie 454.

The VIN is 194675S100621. The tag says A29 (Vette Vues say this means manu. date of Aug '64)

MUCH APPRECIATED!

Note: This evening I started replacing all my electrical connections with a new deluxe harness kit from Lectric Limited. Haven't put power back through her yet but I must say I am VERY impressed with the quality, accuracy and fit. Superb! -- Paul '65 Sting Ray 454 Roadster Toronto

[Mark J.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

There are other suttle hints as to your car's history.

1. Dates: You can use the serial number on the VIN to determine the month your car was built and compare it to the trim tag date you mentioned. As you look at your chassis components, you can at use this date to see if the components were stamped within a few weeks or months prior to the trim tag date. Given the date as a starting point, and if you pin down your research to just the engine, there are several tell-tale indicators to determine if you had a 327 or a 396. All of this assumes that other original '65 components were not replaced when your 454 was installed:

2. Transmission:

The Saginaw 3 speed was used with the 327/250 hp;

The Powerglide automatic was used with the 327/250 and 300 hp engines;

The Muncie M20 (2.56:1) 4 spd was used with the 327/250 and 300 hp engines;

The Muncie M21 (2.20:1) was used with the higher hp's from 350 hp and up.

2. Rear Axle Ratio:

The 3:08 was used with all hp's except the 327/350hp;

The 3:36 was used with all hp's except the 327/350hp;

The 3:55 was used with the higher hp motors from 350 hp and up;

The 3:70 was used with the higher hp motors from 350 hp and up;

The 4:11 was used with the higher hp motors from 350 hp and up;

The 4:56 was used with the higher hp motors from 365 hp and up.

3. Tachometer:

A 5500 RPM red line was used with the 250 & 300 hp motors;

A 6000 RPM red line was used with the 350 hp motor;

A 6500 RPM red line was used with the 365 hp and higher motors.

The other "Board Members" may be able to elaborate on additional clues. Good luck.

Mark

Sources: www.5speeds.com/muncie2.htm; 1953-1967 Corvette Specification Guide, NCRS; and Corvette Central Catalog.

[Art A.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Mark, don't miss lead Paul---there are NO (other than the model year)date codes in the VIN. A VIN number can be compaired to other KNOWN dated VIN's and a build date could be determined, or at least very close. ART # 14981

[Robert C.]

Re: The "Golden Fleece"

Paul, The "golden fleece", "the Arc" etc. That information is what everyone is looking for! GM says that it doesn't exist. The Corvette Museum wants it for the archives. Can you imagine if this info would be released today, what would happen? Half of the BB Corvettes wouldn't be "correct anymore! There is no info about your car anywhere unless you have a protecto-plate etc.


Texas Chapter NCRS

[Mike M.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Paul, GM vintage in the US had a 800 number that you could call and they would send you a package with some history on your car based on the VIN. Not alot but its a good package. I got a package from them about a year ago. It was free but you had to have a US address to send it to. They wouldn't send to Canada. I'll look for the number and see if I can locate it. Then you can and see if the information on them not supplying this is true.

[Mark J.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Art,

You are correct. My message was intended to ensure the serial number and the trim tag jibed within reason, indicating they had not been tampered with.

Mark

[Dan 80]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

If your car had been a Canadian sold car all the information GM Vintage in Canada could have given you would be the Selling Dealer and Delivery date for your specific serial number car.

More detailed information was not recorded on US built cars until 1967 and later.

Some divisions in the US ( Cadillac, Pontiac, and possibly Oldsmobile) did give serial number specific information. Chevy in the States never has!

I don't believe the package from the US is serial number specific.

Your car being so early never could have been a regular production Big Block.

Of interest, early L79's had the 5500 RPM red line tach. So don't assume your car is a 250 or 300 horse car if it has this tach.

If your differential centre section has never been changed this can be a reasonable indicator of what your original engine may have been. Can you read the stamped code?

Also of interest, I am 80 miles from Toronto and have car number 684, 63 cars after yours. Also a convertible it was built on B9 (September 9th) and is a St Louis body.

[Art A.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Mike; I don't know what 800 # you are referring too but I KNOW that it does NOT--I REPEAT--DOES NOT APPLY to the CORVETTE form 1953-1976. I workes for GM for 37years 1 months. and 3days--but who was counting--,and I was put on "Special Assingment" by Jim Perkins to find build manifests for the CORVETTE, CAMARO, AND CHEVELLE. For 2 months we(myself and another researcher)searched ALL GM locations for any type of Build documents. We came up empty for that time peroid and trust me we turned GM inside out looking.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Art --- Interesting to hear of your special assignment. Did your mandate include looking for copies (microfilms) of the MSO's (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) ? This would identify the big block cars, body style, and also list the delivery dealer. What about the complete options data from the GMAC-financed cars ?

[Wayne M.]

Re: Research VIN on '65

Paul -- You've been given correct info from GM Canada Vintage, and good tips from the "board" on pointers as to your car's original configuration. Other than an early batch of 5 cars with VIN range 00029 to 37, shipped Sept 2 and 3, no other Corvettes entered Canada until the after strike was over, in early November '64, starting with VIN # 01436.

There's a ton of Corvette clubs in southern Ontario, and I'd suggest attending a function and letting some of the members eyeball your car for clues. Also, if your car's trim tag has a Body # S-xxx, and the Trim is other than STD or BLK or 402, there could be a bit of coding there as to some color-specific body options.

[Mike M.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

I didn't mean to imply that they give you all the information on a specific vette. They sent me a package on my year of vette. It was pretty good and it was free. Mike

[Iron Duke NCRS #22045]

800-222-1020

This is the Chevrolet Customer Assistance number. Two years ago I called them and asked for info on my '63. I gave them the VIN and they assigned me a number. Not long after I received an inch-thick package which included part of the service manual, a copy of the AMA specifications, and other info. There was some data in the AMA specs that I had never seen before. This information was not VIN specific, but generic for the model year. Nevertheless, it is useful and was sent to me at no cost, Thanks, GM!

Duke

[Art A.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

WAYNE, Specificly we were looking for data that could be used in a search, i.e. job order, vin order, production order, date order, etc.. Our main objective was to find the assembly plant production (or copies of) vehicle manifests. Jim wanted to be able to offer a service similar to what Pontiac was offering. We came to the conclusion that it came down to a question of "volume" that the data was not retained. The data for the CHEVROLET line was handled as a group ( all cars & trucks ) and the volume was very large---so when any data that did not have a required retention period for, taxes, litigation hold, GM policy, etc., was subject to distruction. The assembly plant vehicle manifest had very little company worth once the vehicle was produced and therefore was distroyed on a routine (generally about 6 mo.) basis. The MSO's are another story-- but the bottom line is,--- is that they can't be searched very easly. Each search would require many,many hours to do and GM doesn't have the personnel ( and the personnel with the knowledge ) to do it. ART #14981

[Art A.]

Re: Research VIN on 65 Sting Ray R for OE

Wayne; I just read "Duke's" thread and it is what I was saying---But Jim wanted to go one step further with the customer service thing and be able to provide vehicle specific information, but we couldn't!!!!!.ART #14981

[Gerry Davis]

Re: 800-222-1020

I also called and got the package for my '69. You can find this contact info at the Chevy Buffs link below. They also said they have a staff that can research things about your car. I said "Great, I need to know the original color of my convertible top". About 3 days later another operater called back and said they could give me the info I wanted if I gave them the the option codes from my protecto-plate Duh!


Chevy Buffs