1953 – 1959:
VINs contained this same information, with digits changing to signify the year or changes made at
Chevrolet.
1953 VIN Includes:
1st Digit: Identifies Series and Model (E for Corvette)
2nd & 3rd Digits: Identify Model Year (53)
4th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (F for Flint, Michigan)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number, starting with 001001.
1954: The 4th Digit changed to S for St. Louis.
1957: The production number changed to begin at 100001
1958: The Series and Model digit changed from E to J
1960 – 1964: VINs changed layout of information.
1960 VIN Includes:
1st Digit: Identifies Model Year (0 for 1960)
2nd & 3rd Digits: Identify Series (08 for Corvette)
4th & 5th Digits: Identify Body Style (67 for 2-Door Convertible)
6th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, Missouri)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number, starting with 100001
1965 – 1971: VINs once again changed the order of information.
1965 VIN Includes:
1st Digit: Identifies Chevrolet Division (1 for Chevrolet)
2nd & 3rd Digits: Identify Series (94 for Corvette)
4th & 5th Digits: Identify Body Style (37 for 2-door Coupe, 67 for 2-door Convertible)
6th Digit: Identifies Model Year (5 for 1965)
7th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, Missouri)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number, starting with 100001
1968: Production number began with 4 (400001)
1969: Production number began with 7 (700001)
1970: Production number began with 4 (400001)
1971: Production number began with 1 (100001)
1972 VIN Includes:
1st Digit: Identifies Chevrolet Division (1 for Chevrolet)
2nd Digit: Identify Series (Z for Corvette)
3rd & 4th Digits: Identify Body Style (37 for 2-door Coupe, 67 for 2-door Convertible)
5th Digit: Identifies Engine Code (K for 350ci, 225hp, 185hp; L for 350ci, 255hp; W for 454ci, 270hp)
6th Digit: Identifies Model Year (2 for 1972)
7th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, Missouri)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number, starting with 500001
1973: Production number began with 4 (400001)
1973-1977:VINs contained the same information and same number sequencing.
1974: 5th Digit Options were J for 350ci, 195hp; T for 350ci, 250hp; Z for 454ci, 270hp
1975: 5th Digit Options were J for 350ci, 165hp; T for 350ci, 205hp
1976-1977: 5th Digit Options were L for 350ci, 180hp; X for 350ci, 210hp
1978 VINs included a Corvette first: special identification for Special Edition Models. It was also the first time Chevrolet used a number instead of a letter to identify the engine in the VIN.
1st Digit: Identifies Chevrolet Division (1 for Chevrolet)
2nd Digit: Identify Series (Z for Corvette)
3rd & 4th Digits: Identify Body Style (87 for 2-door Coupe)
5th Digit: Identifies Engine Code (L for 350ci, 175hp; 4 for 350ci, 220hp)
6th Digit: Identifies Model Year (8 for 1978)
7th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, Missouri)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number, starting with 400001. Pace Car production numbers began with 9 (900001)
1979: 5th Digit Options were 8 for 350ci, 195hp; 4 for 350ci, 225hp
1980: 5th Digit Options were 8 for 350ci, 190hp; H for 305ci, 180hp; 6 for 350ci, 230hp 6th Digit changes to a letter to indicate model year
1st Digit: Identifies Country of Origin (1 for United States)
2nd Digit: Identifies Manufacturer (G for General Motors)
3rd Digit: Identifies Division (1 for Chevrolet)
4th Digit: Identifies Restraint System (A for Non-Passive/Manual Belts, B for Automatic Belts, C for Air Bags)
5th Digit: Identifies Carline/Series (Y for Corvette)
6th & 7th Digits: Identify Body Type (87 for Coupe)
8th Digit: Identifies Engine Code (6 for 350ci, 190hp)
9th Digit: Security Code added to VIN; varies
10th Digit: Identifies Model Year (B for 1981)
11th Digit: Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, 5 for Bowling Green)
Last 6 Digits: Identify production number (400001 for St. Louis, 100001 for Bowling Green)
