Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
I was wondering if there are any good references about on how to spot fake early C3 trim tags and rivets, mostly 68-69? I think there is something for mid-years but that's about it.
-
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
Well "that's about it" is not so bad. The details of the stamps on the tag itself -- the numbers and letters that are applied for each individual car -- are exactly the same for St Louis built C3s as for C2s. My understanding is the same machine was used from 1963 to the closing of St Louis in 1981.
In my mind that is a good start, and that information ought not be ignored.Terry -
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
So what you are looking for is those the emboss these w/o 'the machine' prior to 1981 and those done more recently where the 'same machine' is supposed to be used. Then start looking for inconsistencies to known good tags, starting with the rivets. The good thing is that general there is more information available in the engine pads have more digits and more precise option definition, tank stickers, etc. so while the engine pad per se is not on the trim tag, there are more places gross errors can be made putting into question the originality of the car.Comment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
A good start is to look at known originals. Pay special attention to the information at the top, Chevrolet Motor Division is part of the area that I am talking about. Look at the characters closely. Each character has a unique footprint. You will see that once you start studying the tags.
Also, pay attention to the material and thickness. I have seen one very thin aluminum tag on an earlier C-3. Definitely not Typical Factory Production.Dick WhittingtonComment
-
New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.Comment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
Originals were NOT aluminum on at least the early C-3's. I am not sure about the later cars (did they build a Corvette after 1972?)
Dick WhittingtonComment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
Well, this question indictes that C3s have now become valuable enough for the fakers to appear. This happened many years ago for C2s, just a natural progression I suppose.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
It started many years ago for C3s also. Where there is money to be made folks will take advantage of the system.
FWIW: One "re-stamper" told me he did more base motor cars than hi-performance cars. There are more base cars to work on, so just by virtue of the numbers there are more "opportunities." Don't assUme because it is a base motor it has to be original.TerryComment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
Judging Guide says C3 tags are stainless steel, not aluminum.
Comment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
C-3 tags have less information that the C-2 tags do. I can only see a couple of reasons for a reproduction tag, one the tag was lost (happens more than you think when the car is repainted) and two, color/interior changeDick WhittingtonComment
-
Re: Spotting fake early C3 Trim Tags
Thanks guys.
Maybe I should just get one of the books on C2 tags and use it for now. That doesn't seem like a bad idea.
I was thinking that there might be variances through out the model year due to the stamping machine getting worn and characters replaced that would eventually show a pattern that could be detected much like the engine stamps, but maybe not.
Obvious variations from known original tags should be easy to spot but slight variations I would have trouble telling if it was a modern fake or variation of typical factory production.....
I'm also wondering if the rivets are hard to come by? To me they look like regular pop rivets but I wonder if there are any tell tail signs to tell originals from replacements?Comment
Comment