And while thats not usually the most difficult of Corvette restoration tasks, one component could make or break the project: choosing the paint color. The body build date code consists of an alphanumeric code representing the month followed by two numbers representing the day of the month. 2. The cost is higher upfront than the first project car I looked at, but it requires less work and parts to complete the restoration. The big-block 396-ci engine had rectangular-port, closed-chamber heads (casting number 3856208). General Motors used exhaust heat flowing through a tube connected to the passenger-side exhaust manifold for choke operation. But that was not the only problem I encountered: When I had the body sit- ting on the frame correctly, I checked the front fender wheel well openings. Water leaks between the windshield rubber seal at the glass or the frame itself. Green zinc-chromate primer was applied on the C-channels at the factory. Visible through window from outside. With all the correct pieces, it would be a shame to not utilize them on an NCRS restoration. 1966 Corvette Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) See also: C2 Corvette VIN decoder The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 127720, accounting for all 27,720 Corvette Coupes/Convertibles built-in 1966. If you see a major body panel overlap with bonding adhesive oozing out there is a concern. Help if you can. Leaving the cardboard back-up for the repair then using the fiberglass woven cloth tells you that fiberglass repair was not their forte. The Worlds #1 VIN Decoder for Corvette 12 years straight! This 1966 big-block coupe with off-road exhaust (not for use on public roads) has some serious frame rot. All costs are higher, from the disassembly to the parts list. We have interior paint that is good for all plastic and vinyl surfaces, for 63 interior red you would need, #131525-13. https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-53-62/paints-tools/paints-chemicals-tools/56-13-leather-vinyl-hard-plastic-interior-paint-131525?returnurl=%2fsearch%3fcurrentsearchcategoryid%3d%26q%3d63%2binterior%2bpaint%26count%3d18. To the left of the VIN tag, General Motors placed a trim tag with some helpful information. Someone who knows the rules of the system can obtain a registration in one state and then go to another to get a title. The 1968-78 Corvette trim tag is very different from the 1965-67 Corvette trim tag. Select a year and a model to view the vast history of Corvettes. The next position to the right is the body sequence number. In the top right corner of the trim tag is the body build date code. 4 Corvette C6.R, Coupe and convertible versions also include Z51 Performance Package and NPP Performance Exhaust, Optional MX0 6-speed paddle shift automatic on coupe and convertible, Optional U3U Navigation System on all models. The first big block V8, a 396 CID version, was introduced to the Corvette in 1965, and that proved to be a foreshadowing of what was to come. You can determine the date your C3 Corvette was built by looking at the codes on the "Trim Tag" on your Vette. There were some concerns with engine performance. The recessed area below the trailing arm pivot fills with dirt, salt, and water keeping the area ripe for corrosion. C3 Corvette Build Date Trim Tag Code - C3VR You guessed it; someone might actually improperly repair a corroded frame with body filler to save money. Smaller ancillary items, such as the carburetor, starter, and alternator, were stamped with build and date codes. Even amongst the earlier small-block options that had been available on earlier Corvettes, these two engines were arguably the best all-around engines. In 1967, the factory used a build sheet, containing all the pertinent data for the build as the Corvette moved down the assembly line. If the project is so valuable, why would someone sell it? Carter supplied all the carburetors for 1963 250- and 300-hp engines in 1964. Consumers found that the new Corvette, especially one equipped with the 427 big-block, had all the refinement it needed. These last 5 are the actual build sequence number of that series, Chris Trautman @ Corvette Assembly Plant 2019, 1981-2013 C3, C4, C5, C6 Corvette VIN Decoder, (See LT4 Performance Upgrades Aftermarket), Corvette News | Latest and Breaking News in the Corvette World, 1960 to 1962 Steering column in the engine compartment, 1963 to 1967 Instrument panel support brace under the glove box, 1968 to Present Drivers side top of the instrument panel or windshield post (A-pillar). Every once in a great while, an unrestored Corvette comes along that has all the right stuff. Canadian or northern coastal cars can be horrible to work on. You can see it when you open the door. Corvette RPO Codes & Order Guides (All Years) - CorvSport.com The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - vettefacts.com The left side has a similar repair. We specify precisely when VIN Tags switch generations, sequence, and move locations. This also applies to short-cap distributors. We even have the new C8 decoded! Not all dealer invoices show the original paint but most do show the interior code and color. 1966 Corvette RPO Codes & Order Guide If you are looking to decode your 1966 Corvette RPO's (Regular Production Options), then check out the table below. Gus A numbers matching 427ci 425hp V8 L72 casting number 386992 which decodes to a 1966 427ci . Corvette Horsepower time line for every current model and year! After purchase, the owners information was imprinted. On the left side of the trim tag is the word "Trim", which designates the interior trim code of that particular car. My question is the removable hard top is the same color silver, BUT the headliner and plastic Mouldings of the top is a very dark navy blue, almost black. The stakes are high if you find a really great restoration project that has provenance; chances are you may invest more into the build. existing tail lights. Casting and date codes are also on each major component and many ancillary pieces. DID YOU KNOW: The 427 cubic-inch engines were introduced in the 1966 model. Please refer to the trim and paint sections of this chapter for the interior and exterior trim and paint combinations for a particular application. Aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifolds usually have a W stamp within a snowflake design indicating Winters Aluminum Foundry Company. 1966 Corvette - Trim Decoding A full chart detailing interior and exterior combinations can be found in the COLOR CHART section. The only way that you can positively verify the original paint and/or interior is to acquire the original dealer invoice or other original paperwork. All catalogs are also online with full search and order features. The last six digits (112xxx) tell you it was built about two-thirds through the model year. When I worked with General Motors, we rebuilt all alternators, starters, and wiper motors at the dealerships. Corvette frames have particular spots that corrode, and they can be easily seen unless they have been masked to cover damage. Someone had made claim to the Corvette, and it was their responsibility to prove it belonged to them. These cars began production in late August 2008. Sequence Descriptions for all Years and Special Editions. D = 1983 *No 1983 Corvettes were ever sold*. Not good! General Motors used this same HP code in 1965, and it is quite different from the 1966. Corvette trim tag from a 1978 Pace Car built on March 21. My first candidate was a rough-looking 327-ci fuel-injected 1963 split-window coupe with limited power options. 6 to 11 Production sequence number 01001- 109670, How Do You Read a Corvette VIN? In rear of right hand pillar brace under the glove box. 1966 Corvette - Trim Decoding If you liked this article you will LOVE the full book. See the total 1965 production volume breakdown. Style: Year . The owner asked if I could just put some patch panels on the rotted areas. The style information on the left should match the VIN: 63 for 1963 and 837 for coupe. 1956-59 left door hinge pillar below upper hinge. My second candidate was a 1964 convertible in decent condition with a matching-number engine. 2023 CC Tech and Corvette Central. The point here is to make sure the paperwork is correct and all the VINs are in place before you pay for the vehicle. The 425 horsepower engine was originally specified as a 450 and the 390
Top: Stripped interior of a 1967 Corvette shows the 1963-67 location of the trim tag and VIN plate on the right side of the dash. However, base horsepower was 300 in 1966, up from 250 the year before. does anyone make interior paint for my 1963 CORVETTE window frames in red,?? 1963-1967 C2 Corvette Factory Paint Colors This 1100694 unit is correct for my 1965 A/C-equipped coupe. From 1963 on, trim tags had many changes. in. I urge you to be very cautious concerning any date or casting codes. The company estimate said 5.7 second 0 60 mph time was possible, but we couldnt validate that anybody had tested that. The decking or machining also must match the finish that left the factory. 13. Bottom line: Lots of money makes this frame rot go away. There are people who provide correct engine block stamping with all the anomalies that occurred when the factory did the stamping. Build Date: Month, Week. National Corvette Restorers Society! Buying or restoring a 1963-1967 Corvette? Always remember: in many cases, it makes sense to spend more upfront to get a better car. 1. If you are looking for more detail about the options available for the 1966 Corvette, check out our in depth guide. 6. 7. Buffalo would be B and Chevrolet gear and axle is G for their respective plants. There really was no way to tell if the photos were even of this car. The small-block Chevy began a revolution of [Click here to read more], Wheel and tire selection and fitment have a big impact on traction and performance so you should choose the wheels that suit your car, application, and rear axle setup. This was probably not the car for me because it was too nice and should be put back together for NCRS showing or a nice, fun weekend show car. The 1963 Corvette trim tag build code contains a letter that represents the month, which is then followed by a single digit that represent the week of the month (1 through 6). The 1967 was the first year for limited availability of aluminum cylinder heads on big-block engines. engines. It is important that you understand how documentation works and the value it adds. 327ci 350HP Engine, 427ci 390HP Engine, 427ci 425HP Engine, 3-speed manual (standard), 4-speed manual (optional), 2-speed Powerglide (optional), Our newsletter delivers all the Vette news, rumors, deals and events directlyto you each week. You probably have arrived here to answer the question: How do you read a Corvette VIN number? Many of the original assembly line workers are no longer with us, so it is difficult to really pin down some of the things that slowed or sped up production. Following this three-digit paint code is the word Paint to designate the paint code. The driver-side manifold received the machined hole for the fuelies choke heat. Holley Carburetor Identification Codes Car Series "E" for 1953, 54, 56, 57 or "J" = Chevrolet Corvette for 1958-59, V=V8 for 1955, 2 & 3 Model Year 53 = 1953 Corvette VIN Decoder. The 1963 through 1967 Corvette trim tags differ from the later 1968-78 Corvette trim tags in several respects. Lastly, it required stouter, shot-peened half shafts and U-joints, as well as a higher-capacity radiator and sump. 10 and 11 Digit VIN Explanation andLocation. My goal is to help you feel comfortable with the knowledge to restore your project. Chevrolet still has this sequence #1. You can use the social sharing buttons to the left, or copy and paste the website link: https://www.chevydiy.com/c2-corvette-restoration-by-the-numbers-what-to-look-for-2/. I found three possible Midyears that I wanted to investigate further. The same water/salt slurry attacks the frame behind the front wheels causing corrosion. This is what judges and perspective buyers are looking for. You know that unpleasant part of the new vehicle transaction when the numbers are laid out in front of you? We find fiber-glass cloth (sometimes used for boat hulls) instead of stranded fiberglass mat that should be used for repairs. As a result, the small-block engine options were reduced from five to two for the 1966 model year, with only the 300-horsepower (L75) and 350-horsepower (L79) versions remaining available to prospective consumers. On the lower half of the trim tag is this wording: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION CERTIFIES TO THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE. headliner previously used. If you are looking to decode your 1966 Corvette RPOs (Regular Production Options), then check out the table below. The way you drive your car determines what kind [Click here to read more], The greatest engines designed by automotive manufacturers since the 1950s were first introduced in the most brutal performance environment: motorsports. If you see one wheel back or forward noticeably farther than the other, it is often an indication of collision damage. Though it had no more horsepower than the previously developed 396 cubic inch engine, the 427 did pack quite a bit more torque-460lbs/ft instead of 415. Top is Red 974 car is white 936. 1966 to 1989 Chevrolet Corvettes Roadster for Sale Starting in mid-1964 and continuing throughout the 1967 model year, all body sequence numbers were prefixed with the letter A for the A.O. Your email address will not be published. Someone used a broken piece from another car and attached it hastily to the broken panel on the car. Some C2 Corvette colors were only available in specific years, but many were available in multiple years. How much of the major work can you do? The lesser of the two 427 models was rated at 390 horsepower, and the other was rated at 425. Another indicator that the C-channels are badly corroded is sill plate screws that do not tighten because they are stripped. The photos had no VIN documentation, only pictures of someone restoring a multi-colored 1967 convertible Corvette. Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, total swept area 461 sq. When a warranty repair was required, the service writer ran the plate through a credit-card-like swipe machine transferring the data to the repair order. With the 1966 Corvette arriving after General Motors recent, overwhelming success with the 427 Sting Ray, there was no question that the newest Corvette model would continue to feature big-block engines. Severe cracks can be seen while the steering wheel is turned from one lock to the other when the engine is running. 1965 Corvette Options/Colors - National Corvette Owners What makes sense: NCRS restoration, or personalize this relatively high-production Corvette? C2 Corvette VIN Tag Location: 1965 to 1967 similar to the 1963 to 1964 models that were spot welded to the body hinge brace under the glove box. Intake manifolds have a date code along with a casting number. The
General Motors uses the word rust in warranty information. Smith began producing Corvette bodies for shipment effective with Corvette serial number 109678, which was produced in January 1964. Read more:1966 Corvette Performance & Specifications. The letters and numbers on the vertical seam at the left side tell you that it is indeed a 1967 case. The engine pad stamping must coincide with the casting number and date codes for a true numbers matching engine case. The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - VetteFacts.com The rear bumper brackets were almost 2 inches below the bodys bumper bracket holes. One of the most common restoration tasks for Corvette owners worldwide is restoring or touching up their vehicles original paint. Following the word Style is the last two digits of the model year (63 or 64), a blank space, and the three digit body style code (837 for a coupe or 867 for a convertible). Stampings are found on the bottom rail of the differential housing where the cover meets the housing. Advertised Engine Ratings - Horsepower and torque figures. The 1966 had two casting numbers: 3872702 represented the oval-port, closed-cham- ber head for the 390-hp version, while 3873858 specified the 427-hp version with closed chambers and rectangular ports. Winters Foundry cast this snowflake-and-W- W logo into GM factory aluminum intake manifolds. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. C3 Corvette Trim Tag Decoder and Location: 1968-82 Inner side of drivers side windshield post (A-pillar). Rear axle code CJ0728 is: CJ, 3.08 Positraction; 07, July month built; and 28, the 28th day. front bench seat A81 = Headrest (Strato seat type) looking for info on hard top restoration for 1966 C-2. The 2 outter,front & rear carbs, then open when throtel is increased in RPM. NCRS Authentication Library Vol 1 1963-67 Corvette Trim Tags After looking at the three Midyear possibilities, the 1963 was my first choice. PDF Corvette Trim Plate Guide - image.mamotorworksmedia.com Early Corvette's that had 6 Cylinder engines did not have the Letter "V" as the first Sequence Number. As it turned out, the body was restored on a dolly off the frame. The 1965 also used a Carter carburetor. This is why matching the date codes to the engine pad stamping is important. Unfortunately, the birdcage is not visible without removing interior panels or the windshield trim. Even in cars equipped with the somewhat less sensational 3.36:1 ratio, the Corvette was still able to run 0-60 times of 5.4 seconds with a standing quarter of 12.8 seconds at 112 miles per hour (source Car and Driver). Many times the frame damage is not caught until the alignment tech finds it. Restyled wheel covers were introduced along with an all-new rocker trim. T Pt 1963-1967 618M Search: SWATCHES ST. LOUIS COUPE (837/S) COLOR VINYL LEATHERCODE Black 4 STD Black4 898A Red 4 490AA Red4 898EA Blue 4 490BA Blue4 898JA Saddle 4 490CA Saddle4 898CA Silver/Black 4 491AA Silver/Black4 899AA Silver/Dk . This 1967 Muncie case (casting number 3885010) is in excellent condition. Manual transmissions were widely used, with Muncie-built 4-speeds being the predominant choice for buyers. I found the remnants of this one on top of the fuel tank. The few Corvette purchasers who retrieved these highly sought-after documents were paid dividends later.