1967 trim tag anomaly...

[Joe L.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

FWIW, always best to verify the VIN stamped on the frame. JMTCW,

Gary
....

Gary and Nick------


Absolutely correct! In a case like this, further investigation is warranted. I would not even consider purchasing this car unless I could confirm the frame VIN derivative and confirm that it matches the VIN derivative on the engine and transmission and matches the VIN plate.

Just because this car has been in the same family since 1968 would not necessarily give me any comfort. A lot of "hankey-pankey" with these cars occurred very early in their history. So, even if members of the family that's owned it since 1968 had nothing to do it, someone that owned it in that first year may well have. In fact, that the car has been owned by the same family since 1968 could actually be a negative thing since during that 50 year period there would have been no incentive or opportunity for "discrepancies" to be discovered.

In any event, as I have said many times before, when considering the purchase of any Big $$$ collector car, one should check the frame VIN derivative, VIN plate, trim plate, engine VIN derivative and transmission VIN derivative. Yes, it's somewhat difficult to check the frame VIN derivative but that's why it's so important; it's difficult to check and it's difficult to tamper with.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

True Joe, and every time I have thought about buying a car with issues, I may convince myself to get by them, but then I think about how I will be buying the issues and will need eventually to convince someone else down the road to get by them. Then I look at how many cars are around for sale without obvious issues, and have just moved on. To each his own.

[Mike B.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

Hi Nick,

All excellent guidance and precautions for what to check by everyone who's replied to this thread so far.

I'm sure you've checked this already, but for the benefit of the readers that may run into a similar situation as yours I feel it's important to discuss the trim tag's "Body-Build Date Code" and the "Body Number". There's vast amounts of information available on this forum and in Noland Adams Restoration & Technical Guide - Volume 2. Noland spells it all out on pages 46 thru 49. Many other helpful publications out there too.

Since coupes and convertibles had their own body sequence numbers I would consider this body number to fall among the convertibles. I'd do the math from there. Of course it's always a little tricky when considering St Louis vs. A.O. Smith bodies, but it's all doable.

Even if there wasn't an anomaly on the trim tag of any midyear I was considering buying I would always check the body build date and body numbers. I've spotted some shady cars before just by doing a little math here with some old calendars. The C2 Registry is also useful with it's "Car's Birthday" by VIN number.

If that trim tag was changed I think I'd spot it by this screening method.

Good luck with the purchase of the '67.
Mike

[Loren L.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

What are the first five numbers of the VIN? What is the BODY # on the trim tag?

[Michael G.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

One thing to keep in mind in considering such a car is that, if all else check out, especially the frame ID, and you're convinced of a factory mistake, you're going to have to be prepared to instill your conviction of that provenance in future potential owners and all others who might judge the car...

Good luck, I hope its real, sounds like a nice find..

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

Very interesting that at this moment, a 67 coupe with 38,000 miles is on ebay with a 437 trim tag.

Things to look at...
AO Smith body ??? like this one - that means you should be looking for GREEN everywhere.
The header bar, is it green?
the rivets are VERY different, look at those.
Then on the front end AO Smith bodies had very straight lines.

The trim tag on this coupe looks equally corroded as the rivet and surroundings...btw.

[Edward B.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

If it's a factory error and it probably is, just embrace the fact that it's an unusual car.

I agree, but is there any room for "factory error" in NCRS judging?

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

I agree, but is there any room for "factory error" in NCRS judging?

Yes a classmate of mine bought a red/red 64 Corvette convertible new in 64 & had it judged about 10 years ago at the Indiana Chapter NCRS. The car still had the origional paint & interior but the trim tag was coded RED with silver interior. The corvette got a top flight. 2 of the judges there also judge at the regionals & national NCRS. I believe there were a lot of miss stamped trim tags especially the 64'S.

[Philip A.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

Yes a classmate of mine bought a red/red 64 Corvette convertible new in 64 & had it judged about 10 years ago at the Indiana Chapter NCRS. The car still had the origional paint & interior but the trim tag was coded RED with silver interior. The corvette got a top flight. 2 of the judges there also judge at the regionals & national NCRS. I believe there were a lot of miss stamped trim tags especially the 64'S.

I suspect the car judged well because it was original (a survivor). If it was a restored car I would think the judges would expect a silver interior and the burden would be on the owner to prove otherwise.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

I suspect the car judged well because it was original (a survivor). If it was a restored car I would think the judges would expect a silver interior and the burden would be on the owner to prove otherwise.

I agree and was going to say that but I posted to soon. You do need proof of a non typical condition. I this case it was a origional owner factory paint /interior & a color combination that was not available together.

[James G.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

In JULY 2009, a NEW HAMPSHIRE friend sent this to me: AFTER I received, we phone talked, he sent photos of both ''original'' tags and then we confirmed the FRAME VIN, which was the correct 19437 number. His uncle bought the car new.

I was looking at your website and love reading about your history with the Corvette. I have a dilemma question that I could use your assistance with. I have a 1965 Corvette Coupe which I inherited and was trying to match up the numbers. The VIN and Engine Transmission numbers are matching as does the color (tuxedo black) and interior (saddle). Now the tricky part -- under the dashboard there are two separate tags -- one tag identifies the car as 19437 -- which means it should be a stock 1965 Coupe. that's what the car is. but there is another number on the other tag which reads 19467 --this should mean the car is a convertible -- but its not.

PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES

[Mark E.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

How is the VIN on the frame checked?

[James G.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

How is the VIN on the frame checked?

look at the top of the driver side frame, before the kick up where the daylight is just peaking. Also stamped again on the kick-up. This is GARY SUMMERVILLE's silver black Fuel Injection convert that received DUNTOV

[Michael J.]

Re: 1967 trim tag anomaly...

How is the VIN on the frame checked?

With great difficulty unless the body has been pulled.

[Ronald L.]