Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

[Edward M.]

Do we know if very early 1960 VIN tags had the VIN digits stamped into the tag, and not embossed. All of the early 60 tags that I have seen, those mounted in the door jam, were embossed.

This car showed up on Ebay with a CZ engine code. Interesting.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_142058876098811&key=5e9e33f20bf41d5a669cc4838c2690e9&libId=d374b3a3-a626-4713-a605-3b458d139f67&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.corvetteforum.com%2Fforums%2Fc1-and-c2-corvettes%2F3585657-60-pilot-car-on-flee-bay.html%23post1588658423&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FChevrolet-Corvette-Red-1960-corvette-s-fuel-injected-aluminum-head-project-%2F331433468288%3Fforcerrptr%3Dtrue%26hash%3Ditem4d2af96180%26item%3D331433468288%26pt%3DUS_Cars_Trucks&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.corvetteforum.com%2Fforums%2Fnewreply.php%3Fdo%3Dnewreply%26noquote%3D1%26p%3D1588658343&title=60%20Pilot%20car%20on%20Flee%20Bay%20-%20Corvette%20Forum&txt=Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Red%20%7C%20eBay

[Loren L.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

The whole thing is out of control - I asked the seller what fuel unit is on the car; he a responded with a "7320" while also announcing that the dte on the distributor probably was too late. What he should have known is that it is about 3000 VINs too early for a 7320.
Sit back, Ed. Let Bubba shoot himself in the foot, with e-bay as an accomplice.

[Dan H.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

Looked at engine pad, appears like a standard shift block with a 'C' for passenger car, then a slightly crooked 'Z' was added later. All other letters are in alignment. Nice try!

[Edward M.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

OK, still wondering about this one. Do we have any information on the format of the VIN tag on the first 50 or so 1960 cars.

Stamped characters, embossed characters, what?

The earliest tag I have an image of is 342, and those characters are embossed.

1960 Vin # 001 is running around somewhere. Do we know anything about the VIN tag on it?

[John S.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

Looked at engine pad, appears like a standard shift block with a 'C' for passenger car, then a slightly crooked 'Z' was added later. All other letters are in alignment. Nice try!

if your assessment of the pad is just a Z was added, then where are the broach marks?

[Edward M.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

I didn't want to get anywhere near a discussion of that engine. The VIN tag has me puzzled, but I CAN see that as a possibility. In any event, based on a number of questions asked about this car of CF, the owner has taken his bat and ball and gone home.

[Lynn L.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

It is interesting that many experimental car vins were stamped?

[Edward M.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

OK, so a picture of 1960 VIN # 052 has been located, and that VIN tag is embossed.

Still would love to see pics of very early (say any of the first 10) 1960 VIN tags.

[Skip N.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

I have owned VIN # 007 for 30+ years
- it is in storage, but I will get a PIC next time I get to it
- naturally it is screwed to the Door A Post , BUT I don't remember if it is stamped
Skip

[Skip N.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

Since there are early 1960 interested parties on this Post, I have another question:

- rebuilt my Generator and want to have a new Delco Red Tag made
- 1102173 seems to be right for my FI solid Lifter
- BUT I understand Delco batch built Generators
- my generator would have been a LOW volume model
- therefore looking for a Survivor late '59 or very early '60 1102173 with that has a batch DATE????
Any out there??
Skip

[Edward M.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

I have owned VIN # 007 for 30+ years
- it is in storage, but I will get a PIC next time I get to it
- naturally it is screwed to the Door A Post , BUT I don't remember if it is stamped
Skip

Please do sir. This may answer a lot of questions. Thanks.

Ed

[Joe M.]

Re: Format of very early 1960 VIN tags

Skip, I sent you an e-mail.

[Skip N.]

I FINALLY dug out my 1960 VIN #007 and took a PIC of the Door Pillar VIN Plate

- it is STAMPED
- it is STAINLESS

Sorry it took so long for me to respond
(PC crashed and lost most Vette Stuff, then wife had a long illness)

1960 VIN# 00867S100007
(Owner Skip Nydam, NCRS 3675)

Engine Details - Long-Block appears as never disassembled (ONLY damper removed for likely camshaft/chain replacement)


Block – 3756519 dates F129
(6^th month/12^th day/1959)
Pad Stamp – F729 CS
(7^th month/29^th day/1959, FI Option Code RPO 579;
NO VIN# stamped, until later in 1960 production run)
Heads – 3767465 dates F169; both heads
(6^th month/16^th day/1959 ; with “small pyramid” frt casting)

(NCRS Judging states ‘60MY = 3774692; but engine was built with 1959 ‘third generation’ sorting a 62 puzzle - body question heads due to very early VIN#)

Engine appears to have not been rebuilt, and has Yellow Paint Stick ‘CS’ Letters upside down on drivers side of block

[Skip N.]

Sorry NCRS Members,

Been working with a friend that has convinced me #007 VIN Tag is ALUMINUM Stamped (not Embossed)

- we took a magnet to the tag
- so it seems the high polish / buffing during the 1970s re-paint lead me to think it was Stainless

Conclusion:
1960 Corvette VIN 00867S100007 is ALUMINUM Stamped (not Embossed)

[Skip N.]

VERY Interesting - VIN 0002 up for auction Carlisle April 24-25 2025

NET Promo reads
1960 Chevrolet Corvette – VIN Sequence 0002: A Rare Test Legend
This second-off-the-line 1960 Corvette is no ordinary classic—it's a pilot car believed to have tested GM's experimental aluminum heads with Rochester fuel injection. Built in September 1959 at St. Louis, this fuelie rarity sports a 283 V8 with lightweight heads