1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

[Fred R.]

I have a 1980 that has the VIN tag on the windshield support, riveted in face down. So that the backside of the tag shows, and all the stamped letters/numbers read backwards.

Is there any way this could have come from the factory this way? I don't see how, but this is the place to ask.

It has been totally repainted, so there is no door tag anymore. I'm going to have to pray that the frame stamping is still legible, as I think I'm going to have to try and verify this VIN.

[Arland D.]

Re: 1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

Has the windshield been removed and do the rivets look legit?

[David H.]

Re: 1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

I have a 1980 that has the VIN tag on the windshield support, riveted in face down. So that the backside of the tag shows, and all the stamped letters/numbers read backwards.

Is there any way this could have come from the factory this way? I don't see how, but this is the place to ask.

It has been totally repainted, so there is no door tag anymore. I'm going to have to pray that the frame stamping is still legible, as I think I'm going to have to try and verify this VIN.

Fred

Welcome to NCRS Tech Board.

What does windshield bug have for date? Consistent with car's build date?

Frame stampings on my 1980 were quite light. Only visible after I removed paint.

Dave
Dave

[Mark E.]

Re: 1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

Fred,

Would you post a photo?

I haven't seen this before, but 1980 was a challenging time for GM quality.

My sense is this is a factory defect... who would do this on purpose in the field?

[Fred R.]

Re: 1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

I'm sorry, as I am light on pictures to share. We dropped the car off for consignment, as it is part of a group of Corvettes we are selling after my father in law passed, and that's the first time I noticed the VIN tag looking odd like that.

If I get back down there before it sells, I will take pictures of it, just so we can all see it together.

I don't know much about the car, other than what I learned through driving it twice, and passing through the receipts folder once while purging any too personal things out of it. It has had a considerable amount of work done to it, nominally prepping it to be an SCCA cone racing car: 383 stroker engine, Wilwood brakes, shorter gearing, suspension, wheels, tires, etc. Sadly, it never got raced, as my father in law's health went downhill soon after he finished it. I'm hoping it will find the right home with someone.

The consignment place has satisfied themselves that it is a legit VIN tag for legal purposes, so that's not an issue anymore. Now it's just a curiosity issue for me.

Sooo, if I ever get next to the car again, I will take closeups of the VIN tag, and any windshield markings I can find.

Hopefully to be updated at a later date.

[Fred R.]

Re: 1980 VIN tag riveted in Face Down?

Will take detailed pics and a better look, if/when I am back next to the car.