62 Early Vin Tag Help

[Joe S.]

The Vin Tag on the 62 I just acquired looks as if the vin itself were hand stamped on it. Other 62 Vin's I have seen the numbers are perfectly straight. As you can see in the photo below they are far from it. Were the first cars in a production run hand stamped? Or are other 62's like this?

Also, my Judging Guide is on it's way but in the meantime, what;s up with the "VB".

Thanks,

Joe..




Joe's 62 Project

[M W.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

Joe,

As many of these that I have seen it certainly doesn't look correct to me but I have been wrong before. I am certain many will post their opinions as well.

Cheers,

Craig

[Joe S.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

FYI - I had already posted pictures of the block with this Vin and we all concurred it to be the real deal. The tranny also has the same number.

[M W.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

Hey Joe,

I only stated that I thought the VIN tag looked funny. I base this on my own knowledge of 61's and 62's. Your engine block stamping does look correct. I have a 61-62 Judging Guide in my garage and if noone answers before tomorrow morning I will gladly reference it for you. Never seen one with letters stamped on it. JMHO.

Cheers,

Craig

[Mark J.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

Shouldn't the numbers be embossed versus stamped? A photo of a serial number plate in Noland Adam's 53-62 Restoration and Technical Guide appears so.

MRJ

[Dennis C.]

My gut reaction...

...engine stamp pad looks OEM great. VIN tag sucks. But, hey, that's just me.

[Richard M.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

Joe,

Yes it is different from what I've seen. I have the 62 JG but I'll be darned, I can't find the tag info anywhere. I must be blind, or it's too late or something. I spent 15 minutes going through each item in the TOC and nothing. Is it in there? Or is it in the 58-60 JG, I'm checking..............there it is. It talks about the change from 58-60E, then 60 apx #1500 to the steering column. Nothing about embossed or stamped. Mine's embossed. Could the very early cars have had them stamped? Maybe the original was lost and it got replaced. Did you get a chance to get the vin# from the frame yet? You need a mirror.

Rich

[Terry R.]

Re: My gut reaction...

I'm with Dennis, that VIN tag is scarey.

[Anthony F.]

[Joe S.]

Re: 62 Early Vin Tag Help

Thanks for all the insight. (Although someone just saying it sucks is probably a little less helpful).

The tag and welds look unmolested. Could mean either there is a valid explanation or someone was very good at what they did (except stamping versus embossing). I've got the correct motor, tranny and rear, but obviously if the vin tag is no good, at least from a judging perspective, if not some valid explanation, I would fail from the get-go.

If it were a later vin then I would not hesitate to question it. The fact that the car was built during the first few days of production I was hoping that it might have a reason.

I bought the car to resto-rod before I new I had the correct motor. I would not resto-rod a car with all the correct major components. So in the absence of a valid explanation the fate of this car is up in the air. As a resto-rod, the issue of the vin tag is a mute point.

Thanks again for the responses. I look forward to more. In the meantime the body is coming off anyway and I'll see if the frame numbers are available. The frame is visibly in bad shape. Has had a number of repairs and is definately not straight. There are also a couple of visible rust holes present. It may not be the original or numbers visible. Again, not an issue as the plan was for a tube-frame. But I already have available a good original frame to put under the car if I put it back to rights.

[Joe S.]

The Plot Thickens - Frame Vin

I had noticed a hole in the floor at the left front of the drivers seat and didn't pay much attention to it until a buddy pointed it out. Obviously, at some point long ago, someone cut a hole in the floor to get to the frame Vin. (Whether to view it or stamp it is the question).

So after some pentrating oil and some light sanding with a scotchbrite pad I was able to read it. It clearly shows the 00053 but I can not make out what preceeds it. Possibly an I or 1 and something else but can't tell. If I knew what it was suppose to be it would help.

[John Araujo]

Re: The Plot Thickens - Frame Vin

Joe,
A gentelman by the name of John Mattson has done extensive research on 62 V.I.N. tags and numbers. I sent him a copy of my V.I.N. and he had a tremendous amount of info. I don't have his e-mail address with me right now but I can send it tommorrow. He also has an add in driveline if you have a copy.

John Araujo

[Richard M.]

Re: The Plot Thickens - Frame Vin

Joe, Bingo! That's why I kept bugging you about the frame vin# stamp. You needed more "data".

IMHO that looks like the right script and size to me. I just looked at my copy of the Chassis Restoration Guide and the digits 5 & 3 looks exactly like yours. The age and appearance of the stamping sure looks very real to me, not tampered with.

They stamped the entire vin # on the frame, not just a derivative so the whole thing should be there, ie 20867S100053. The 1 you see is correct, and I think I see the "S" before it. Can you get any more of it? It's also possible there are 2 complete vin stamps on the frame. They did it twice sometimes.

The vin tag is a mystery but it's very possible you may have a very special Corvette there. I hope it turns out that way.

I myself think you've hit the grand slam!
Rich

[Rob M.]

Re: The Plot Thickens - Frame Vin

Here is mine, looks quite similar!

[Joe S.]

Re: The Plot Thickens - Frame Vin

Thanks John, any additional info will be much appreciated. I'll look for my copy of the driveline.