Vin #

[Sal R.]

I am looking at a 86 that may or may not have 23,000 miles had it inspected yesterday they told me that it doesn't have vin #s like my 65 just casting numbers how do I know it is the original motor

[Terry M.]

[Gary C.]

Re: Vin #

Sal, not sure about the electronics for that year, but there maybe a way to read the electronic control module to determine the actual mileage. Gary....

[William C.]

Re: Vin #

It isn't easy to see, but the VIN derivative is stamped on the engine pad, just like the earlier cars, at least thru '89. Check a copy of the NCRS '87-89 Judging Guide for this and other helpful information, 84-86 were similar.

[Joe L.]

Re: Vin #

I am looking at a 86 that may or may not have 23,000 miles had it inspected yesterday they told me that it doesn't have vin #s like my 65 just casting numbers how do I know it is the original motor

Sal-----


A 1986 should have the engine code and VIN derivative stamped on the engine pad in the same location as your 65. The pad is smaller and configured a bit differently but it should be there. The engine code should be above the VIN derivative on the pad. These pads can be hard to see because of all the engine peripherals, but it should be there.

On a 1986, if I am recalling correctly, the accumulated mileage is stored in the electronic cluster ("digital dash"). If a cluster is replaced (as is often required on these models), I believe the replacement cluster has to be "programmed" with the mileage from the old cluster. If this is not done, I suppose the mileage just "starts from "0" again.

[Pete B.]

Re: Vin #

Sal,

The Vin like Joe says is there it is VERY difficult to see though. One thing i have noticed on the low mileage C4's that i have looked at if there have been a bunch of mods done to the car i begin to question mileage. Seems like there are two types of these cars the real low mileage 1-2 owner ones that are pristine and then there are the ones that were drivers and people loved to mod them to get extra power etc. look in the normal areas floormats door panels and engine components. The low mileage ones can be seen from a "mile away"
The odometer can be replaced you are in an era of Car Fax that will go back that far to verify lineage.

[Pat M.]

Re: Vin #

The VIN derivative on my 1-owner 96 LT4 is in a completely different location than my 70. As shown in the left photo, only my engine code appears on the pad in front of the passenger head.
After much searching I found my VIN derivative on a pad on the driver's side of the bell housing. It is also noteworthy that this VIN has a factory "do over", as shown by the crossed out VIN in the middle, and the corrected VIN above it.