RDOldcars

I am new to the site and I posted this question in Ken's Newsletter. I finally figured out where and how to properly post. I purchased a 1970 Vette Coupe, 454-390 HP. The problem is, the Paint and Trim code plate indicate the colors for a 1971 but the title, bill of sale and registration say it is a 1970, the vin also indicates it is a 70. It was painted War Bonnet Yellow from the factory, the car was built the last week of July, new production on the 71's started the 3 rd week of August ? Was this type of mixup common ? Is there a problem if it is a 70 with a 71 Trim & Paint code plate? The vin.# is original with the correct star rivets, nothing has been changed, same applies to the Trim code plate. Riverts are original. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Bob

iPlanet

Sure looks like a rebuilt wreck or some-one was messing with the id numbers for some strange reason. Keep checking something smells fishy

JScott

What are the trim codes on your plate? Maybe some of the NCRS judge types can answer.

70454

Without looking, check the 70 Corvette Registry to check your VIN in line with others posted there. I can't imagine GM started using a 71 color early but there were fewer changes between 70 and 71 than any other years (I think). What is your VIN and TRIM#'s?

RDOldcars

The vin # is 194370S416609, it is in line with the mfg. # for that build. It appears that the ending vehicles were built from June 70, (ser # 413829) July (ser # 417316) last one. Mine fulls between these. The trim plate Reads as follows
Trim 420 989 paint Code with a B08 (build date?) The plate matches the colors & trim for a 71, the title clearly states 1970. Any help would be appreciated. The original color was War Bonnet Yellow with deluxe saddle interior, the car has been painted Ontario Orange, a 71 color (code 987)
Thanks

Bob

PRNDL

I think you need an expert opinion, and ultimately probably need an expert to inspect the car to give you an opinion. 2 places to post your question again (not that you can't get an expert opinion right here, but you will also get a lot of WAG's :lol: )

1. Factory Correct forum right here on corvetteforum. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeroforum?id=77

2. technical discussion board at http://www.ncrs.org

Many of the experts will be at Wildwood NJ this weekend so it might take a few days to get a response.

My personal inexpert opinion is that it would be unlikely for a 70 to have a 71 color/interior including a 71 trim tag. But I also can't explain why a restorer would use that trim tag no matter how confused they got! :)

But somebody who has looked at hundreds of these cars and their trim tags (ie, NCRS master judge) could tell you if they have ever seen or heard of a documented case of a factory screw-up like this. I have read that the 71 model year was considered an extension of the 70 model year, but I wouldn't think the changeover was that blury, and your vin would not have been the last day of 70 production.


[Modified by PRND21, 2:16 PM 5/20/2004]

sray454

Your gonna need to do some more research...

Your VIN and TRIM do not match up - most likely one of them is not original to the car. but which one??? ( I'd bet the VIN ).

To find out:

What is the vin derivative stamp on the frame, engine & transmission.
- That will tell you if the VIN is correct to the chassis.

What date is on the blue certification label on the drivers side door?
What is the dating of the glass, especially the side and back windows?
- This will start to tell you something about the trim tage date vs. the body build date.

Mike Ward

The build date (B08) is for a September 8th manufactured car. The combination of your trim codes (420 + 989) was only available for the 1971 model year, so this trim tag most likely came from a '71 Corvette and is not original to a '70.

If the frame VIN matches your VIN tag, and/or the VIN derivative on the engine stamping pad matches, this is probably a 1970 Corvette.

Why did Bubba put the wrong trim tag on the car, who knows????? :cheers:

sray454

I'd bet it is a '71 Vette that at some point in the past was stolen and "reVIN"ed from a wrecked car. I think that hapened a lot. That is why I'd start checking other dates on the car, like the window glass, seat belt tags, and the eng, trans dates...

Does the car still have a tank sticker ??? That would tell ya a lot...

Larry B.

I had a 74 that was made in August 73 so I guess they started building them in late August. The black book has a list of build months.

Mike Ward

The VIN is for a car manufactured around July 25th 1970. The trim tag indicates a date of September 8th, long after the '70 model year ceased production

Putting aside non-standard paint codes, how do you explain the date discrepancy?

Alan 71

Hi,
In looking back at 'Bob's' old posts it turns out this car's engine had a smooooooooth stamp pad too!
Regards,
Alan

Mike Ward

Even if the OP's tag is really G08 (July 08) the VIN is for a car built around the 25th..........

Mike Ward

I've never heard of that bulletin nor can I find it on the NCRS site or elsewhere. In looking at photographs of 1970 Camaros painted in 'classic copper'

http://camaroattitude.com/cgi-bin/co...0classiccopper

That's nowhere close to the War Bonnet Yellow the long-gone OP mentioned finding.