Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

[Fabio B.]

Hi,

I'm brand new to the NCRS but I've owned my 1970 roadster for over 12 years. I live in Australia and haven't been able to track down much information about the car.

I am desperate to know the history of my Vette (e.g. original colour, engine etc) when it left the factory. It doesn't have matching numbers so I'm quite keen to know more.

The most important thing I'd like to find out is whether or not it left the factory with a 454 engine or other. Can anybody please help steer me in the right direction to find out more about my car?

Many thanks,

Fabio

[Rob M.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

First start with deciphering your TRIM tag, this should tell your more about your car colors (interior and exterior). Maybe your tanksticker is still on the top of your tank (it is sometimes visible if you shine a flashlight over your tank top side, you need to push your rubber booth near your filler opening aside a little). If so you might want to drop your tank to read (and maybe carefully remove the tank sticker) because it will read out all the original options of your car...

[William C.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Have you read the information on the machined pad on the front of the engine (assuming it is or might be the original) The original engine will have a number stamped on the pad that includes the engine build date and horsepower code, as well as a sequence of the last part of the Vehicle Serial number. Might be an easy way to start.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Fabio,

If it was a BB (454) from the start it will have a rear sway bar. Only the LT1 with one fuel line and the 454's, 2 fuel lines, came with the rear sway bar.

Diff U joints and half shafts do not have u bolts on the joints, they have caps. Do check the trim tag as suggested, post the codes if you don't know what they mean and you will get an answer. Welcome and good luck.

Ken

[Fabio B.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Thanks for the replies. The engine is not original and there isn't a sticker on the tank (the car was striped and restored several years ago and we did look for that).

I checked the trim panel and the colour was blue. So thanks for that.

But because the engine is not original, deciphering whether or not it originally came with a 454 is more difficult. Yes it does have a rear sway bar which looks old. But, is there a way to get concrete proof via the VIN or anything? Is there any official resource I can tap into?

Thanks very much guys.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Fabio,

I don't believe the vin has data on the engine. It only tells Chevy, Coupe or Convert and production number.

But there are ways in addition to the already posted stuff. The Red Line on the tach should be 5600 only for the 454. If it is 5300, 6000, or 6500 it was a small block car.

The NCRS judging guide will have a lot of information on the originality components of your car.

The search can be almost as much fun as driving...almost.

[Tom H.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Hi Fabio !!!

Welcome to the NCRS ! Unfortunately, there is no way to determine the original engine of your car by the VIN. You will have to some research and try to determine the engine by the clues left over.

The best way for a new guy to get some good feedback is to post a few good photos of your engine bay and possibly the chassis for us all to have a look at. I bet we can put you onto some clues !!

[Edward J.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Fabio, There were a few other places that the corvette order copy may have been placed, for one they have been found placed between the speedo and tach rolled up & may have been found under the original carpet.

In 70 the vin does not give the engine size, in 72 they started placing the engine in the vin number. if there is a emisson label under the hood and it should have the engine displacement and a part no. it, there where a few different ones depending on the vin no. of car.

If you have a automatic transmisson, and its original to car there will be a tag on the pass. side this will give you the date of manufacture and one of the digits will give you the engine displacement I believe. on the drivers side of transmisson the vin no. is located under the shifter cable bracket. this will require removel to see the vin. If your car is 4 spd. I don't believe theres anything to help. unless someone else can help you.

[Jack H.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

A couple other suggestions...put an advertisement for information wanted in the next issue of the NCRS Driveline. There is also a Corvette registry located at http://www.c3registry.org (c1 and c2 also by swapping out the c3). You can go there and look for your car by VIN...maybe a previous owner has some meaningful information out there...if not, register your car so that someone can find you if they have info regarding your car. There are also methods of walking backwards in time starting with whoever you bought your car from and tracing ownership backwards. I'm guessing this may be more difficult considering being in Australia. There are also companies that can perform this service for a fee. Of course none of this ensures that you find anything meaningful regarding your question of 454 origin, but some really enjoy the treasure hunt.

[Fabio B.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

thanks again for so much more information. my VIN # is 194670S415629. I'll start looking into the other websites and see if I track down previous owner's of the car. Seeing as I bought it over 10 years ago that might be tough though.

The search begins. If there are any other tips, please let me know. I'll post up any pics i that may help discover my car's true identity.

Cheers,

Fabio

[Terry M.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Fabio,

If it was a BB (454) from the start it will have a rear sway bar. Only the LT1 with one fuel line and the 454's, 2 fuel lines, came with the rear sway bar.

Diff U joints and half shafts do not have u bolts on the joints, they have caps. Do check the trim tag as suggested, post the codes if you don't know what they mean and you will get an answer. Welcome and good luck.

Ken

Not to be too picky Ken, and it wasn't part of Fabio's question --- BUT NO LT1 (1970 to 1972) came with a factory installed rear sway bar. What is more NO 1968 to 1972 small block ever came from St Louis with a rear sway bar. None. Nada. Zero.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Terry,

Here I am suggesting he read the JG, I guess I should too. It's right there on p103! Only 454's I have learned something tonight, thanks

Ken

[Fabio B.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Fabio,

I don't believe the vin has data on the engine. It only tells Chevy, Coupe or Convert and production number.

But there are ways in addition to the already posted stuff. The Red Line on the tach should be 5600 only for the 454. If it is 5300, 6000, or 6500 it was a small block car.

The NCRS judging guide will have a lot of information on the originality components of your car.

The search can be almost as much fun as driving...almost.

Hey Ken,

I just had a look at the tach. There is a line, but it has two colours. It begins with what looks like ORANGE and then turns into RED. On mine, the Orange begins at 5,300 but the true Red line begins at 5,600. Do you know what I mean? What do you think?

[Jim T.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

Terry,

Here I am suggesting he read the JG, I guess I should too. It's right there on p103! Only 454's I have learned something tonight, thanks

Ken

Ken something else to learn, 70 350/300 base engined Corvettes also came with caps on the rear end for the U-joint. My original owner 1970 has them. It left the factory with the turbo 400, if it had been a 4-speed it would not of had the caps.

[D S.]

Re: Help finding information about my 1970 Vette

thanks again for so much more information. my VIN # is 194670S415629. I'll start looking into the other websites and see if I track down previous owner's of the car. Seeing as I bought it over 10 years ago that might be tough though.

The search begins. If there are any other tips, please let me know. I'll post up any pics i that may help discover my car's true identity.

Cheers,

Fabio

I checked the 1970 Corvette Registry and it's not listed as registered there. We would love for you to register your 1970 Corvette.

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter