Why is this C3 VIN decoder more accurate than others?

Every single pattern is personally verified by an NCRS member against original GM Heritage Center records and judged cars – not copied from forums or books.

Is it really 100 % free?

Yes. No registration, no ads, no hidden fees. Used by thousands of restorers and NCRS judges worldwide.

Where is the VIN located on a C3 Corvette?

Riveted metal plate on the driver-side windshield pillar, clearly visible from outside through the glass.

Does it also decode trim tags and engine codes?

Yes – full automatic decoding of VIN, trim tag, engine suffix, block casting, Quadrajet and distributor tags.

Corvette C3 VIN & Other Codes Decoder

1968–1982 • 100% Free

The C3 Corvette VIN is a unique alphanumeric identifier revealing model year, body style, engine code, assembly plant, and build sequence, which can vary by model year (different years featured different details in the VIN) as well as special editions. It enables precise identification, authentication, restoration, and valuation for collectors. This automatic decoder uses verified GM Heritage data for instant, accurate results, no manual lookup needed.

Decode Your C3 Corvette Codes

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VIN
Trim tag 1968-1981	Select Model Year:
Trim tag 1981 late-1982
Engine code
Engine partial VIN
Block casting number
Quadrajet part number
Quadrajet date code
Carter date code

Engines	Select Model Year:
Transmissions	Select Model Year:
RPO codes	Select Model Year:
Exterior colors	Select Model Year:
Interior colors / types	Select Model Year:

Having trouble with the VIN decoder? Whether it's an unusual code, missing data, or you need help verifying a numbers-matching car, contact. Happy to help.

Corvette C3 VIN Decoder: Decode Your 1968–1982 VIN

Corvette C3's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique code that provides essential details about its production year, factory, engine type, and more. The VIN consists of the Division code (Chevrolet), car series (Corvette), body style (coupe/convertible), engine, assembly plant (St. Louis/Bowling Green), and unit number (sequence).

During the Chevrolet Corvette C3 generation, there were three different VIN formats:

C3 Corvette VIN Formats by Year
Years	Example VIN	Length
1968–1971	194379S700001	13 characters
1972–1980	1Z37K2S500001	13 characters
1981–1982	1G1AY8764BS400001	17 characters

Note: The model year was three to four months in advance of the calendar year, so the year of manufacture of the body may be earlier than the model year.

Want to know your Corvette’s exact production date? Use our C3 Corvette production date calculator!

Where to Find the VIN on a Corvette C3

The VIN is stamped on a metal plate riveted to the bottom front face of the driver’s windshield pillar. It is only visible through the glass from outside the vehicle.

Corvette C3 VIN plate on driver's side windshield pillar — C3 Corvette VIN plate is visible through the windshield on the driver’s side A-pillar.

How to Manually Decode a Corvette C3 VIN (Step-by-Step)

The easiest way is to use our decoder above, but here’s how to do it manually:

Step-by-Step Guide to Decode C3 VIN

1968 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	9 = Corvette
3	Engine	4 = V8 Engine
4–5	Body style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
6	Model Year	8 = 1968
7	Assembly plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 428566

Example VIN: 194378S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (9), V8 Engine engine (4), Coupe (37), 1968 Model Year (8), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1968	194378S400001 – 194378S428566	28,566

Check other specifications of the 1968 Corvette

1969 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	9 = Corvette
3	Engine	4 = V8
4–5	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
6	Model Year	9 = 1969
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	700001 – 738762

Example VIN: 194379S700001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (9), V8 engine (4), Coupe (37), 1969 Model Year (9), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (700001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1969	194379S700001 – 194379S738762	38,762

Check other specifications of the 1969 Corvette

1970 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	9 = Corvette
3	Engine	4 = V8
4–5	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
6	Model Year	0 = 1970
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 417316

Example VIN: 194370S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (9), V8 engine (4), Coupe (37), 1970 Model Year (0), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1970	194370S400001 – 194370S417316	17,316

Check other specifications of the 1970 Corvette

1971 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	9 = Corvette
3	Engine	4 = V8
4–5	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
6	Model Year	1 = 1971
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	100001 – 1218012

Example VIN: 194371S100001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (9), V8 engine (4), Coupe (37), 1971 Model Year (1), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (100001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1971	194371S100001 – 194371S1218012	21,801

Check other specifications of the 1971 Corvette

1972 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
5	Engine	K = Base/LT1 W = LS5
6	Model Year	2 = 1972
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	500001 – 527004

Example VIN: 1Z37K2S500001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), Base/LT1 engine (K), 1972 Model Year (2), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (500001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1972	1Z37K2S500001 – 1Z37K2S527004	27,004

Check other specifications of the 1972 Corvette

1973 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
5	Engine	J = L48 L = L82 Z = LS4
6	Model Year	3 = 1973
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 434464

Example VIN: 1Z37J3S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), L48 engine (J), 1973 Model Year (3), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1973	1Z37J3S400001 – 1Z37J3S434464	30,464

Check other specifications of the 1973 Corvette

1974 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe 67 = Convertible
5	Engine	J = L48 T = L82 Z = LS4
6	Model Year	4 = 1974
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 437502

Example VIN: 1Z37J4S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), L48 engine (J), 1974 Model Year (4), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1974	1Z37J4S400001 – 1Z37J4S437502	37,502

Check other specifications of the 1974 Corvette

1975 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe
5	Engine	J = L48 T = L82
6	Model Year	5 = 1975
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 438465

Example VIN: 1Z37J5S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), L48 engine (J), 1975 Model Year (5), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1975	1Z37J5S400001 – 1Z37J5S438465	38,465

Check other specifications of the 1975 Corvette

1976 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe
5	Engine	L = L48 X = L82
6	Model Year	6 = 1976
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 446558

Example VIN: 1Z37L6S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), L48 engine (L), 1976 Model Year (6), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1976	1Z37L6S400001 – 1Z37L6S446558	46,558

Check other specifications of the 1976 Corvette

1977 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	37 = Coupe
5	Engine	L = L48 X = L82
6	Model Year	7 = 1977
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 449213

Example VIN: 1Z37L7S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (37), L48 engine (L), 1977 Model Year (7), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1977	1Z37L7S400001 – 1Z37L7S449213	49,213

Check other specifications of the 1977 Corvette

1978 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	87 = Coupe
5	Engine	L = L48 4 = L82
6	Model Year	8 = 1978
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 440274 900001 – 906502 (Pace Car)

Example VIN: 1Z87L8S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (87), L48 engine (L), 1978 Model Year (8), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).
Pace Car VIN range: 1Z87L8S900001 – 1Z87L8S906502

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1978	1Z87L8S400001 – 1Z87L8S440274 1Z87L8S900001 – 1Z87L8S906502 (Pace Car)	46,777

Check other specifications of the 1978 Corvette

1979 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	87 = Coupe
5	Engine	8 = L48 4 = L82
6	Model Year	9 = 1979
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 453807

Example VIN: 1Z8789S400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (87), L48 engine (8), 1979 Model Year (9), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1979	1Z8789S400001 – 1Z8789S453807	53,807

Check other specifications of the 1979 Corvette

1980 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Make	1 = Chevrolet
2	Series	Z = Corvette
3–4	Body Style	87 = Coupe
5	Engine	8 = L48 6 = L82 H = LG4 (CA)
6	Model Year	A = 1980
7	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis
8–13	Unit Number	400001 – 440614

Example VIN: 1Z878AS400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Z), Coupe (87), L48 engine (8), 1980 Model Year (A), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1980	1Z878AS400001 – 1Z878AS440614	40,614

Check other specifications of the 1980 Corvette

1981 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Country	1 = US
2	Manufacturer	G = GM
3	Make	1 = Chevrolet
4	Restraint	A = Manual belts
5	Series	Y = Corvette
6–7	Body Style	87 = Coupe
8	Engine	6 = L81
9	Check Digit	(varies)
10	Model Year	B = 1981
11	Assembly Plant	S = St. Louis 5 = Bowling Green
12–17	Unit Number	400001 – 431611 (S) 5100001 – 5108995 (5)

Example VIN: 1G1AY8764BS400001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Y), Coupe (87), L81 engine (6), 1981 Model Year (B), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (400001).
Bowling Green VIN range: 1G1AY8764B5100001 – 1G1AY8764B5108995

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1981	1G1AY8764BS400001 – 1G1AY8764BS431611 1G1AY8764B5100001 – 1G1AY8764B5108995	40,606

Check other specifications of the 1981 Corvette

1982 Corvette VIN Decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Country	1 = US
2	Manufacturer	G = GM
3	Make	1 = Chevrolet
4	Restraint	A = Manual belts
5	Series	Y = Corvette
6–7	Body Style	87 = Coupe 07 = Collector
8	Engine	8 = L83
9	Check Digit	(varies)
10	Model Year	C = 1982
11	Assembly Plant	5 = Bowling Green
12–17	Unit Number	100001 – 125408

Example VIN: 1G1AY8786C5100001 → Chevrolet (1), Corvette (Y), Coupe (87), L83 engine (8), 1982 Model Year (C), Bowling Green Assembly plant (5), First Production Unit (100001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1982	1G1AY8786C5100001 – 1G1AY8786C5125408	25,407

Check other specifications of the 1982 Corvette

How to Decode a Corvette C3 Trim Tag (1968–1982)

A trim tag (or trim plate) is a steel plate located directly above the driver's upper door hinge.

Corvette C3 trim tag location above driver's door hinge — Trim tag location: above the driver's upper door hinge (1968–1982).

The trim tag includes:

Body build date – when the painted body received the tag
Trim code – interior material and color (leather, vinyl, cloth)
Paint code – exterior color

Chevrolet offered recommended color combinations, but buyers could order any exterior/interior combo. The final assembly date is usually several days after the body build date.

Two Trim Tag Styles

C3 Corvettes used two different trim tag designs:

C3 Corvette trim tag variants: St. Louis vs Bowling Green — **Top:** St. Louis plant (1968–1981) – starts with "Chevrolet"
**Bottom:** Bowling Green (1981–1982) – starts with "B" or "C"

Note: 1968–early 1981 tags have no year mark – you must manually select the year in the C3 Trim Tag Decoder.

How to Read Corvette C3 Engine Codes & Partial VIN

The engine code (assembly date + suffix) and partial VIN are stamped on a pad at the front passenger side of the engine block, near the water pump.

C3 Corvette engine code location near water pump — Engine code and partial VIN are stamped on the front passenger side, near the water pump mount.

Engine suffix code – indicates plant, date, and basic specs
Partial VIN – added at body plant: division, plant, sequence number

All C3 Corvette engines were stamped at the engine plant. Since suffix codes repeat, always cross-check with the partial VIN for accuracy.

Pre-1977 vs post-1977 C3 engine code stamping examples — Engine code stamping changed in 1977 – compare pre- and post-1977 formats.

Engine Block Casting Number

The block casting number is on the flange where the engine meets the transmission bell housing. It reveals:

Years the block was used
Engine displacement (e.g., 350, 454)

C3 Corvette engine block casting number location — Block casting number location: rear flange at bell housing.

Our decoder also recognizes non-Corvette engine and block codes.

How to Decode a Corvette C3 Quadrajet Carburetor Part Number

The Quadrajet is a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor used in all C3 Corvettes except 1981 (crossfire injection). Holley carbs were also used from 1968–1972.

Identification is stamped on the driver’s side of the main body.

Quadrajet part number location on driver's side — Quadrajet part number and date code are stamped on the driver’s side main body.

The part number reveals:

Year of manufacture
Carb type
Division (Chevrolet)
Transmission (manual/auto)

Below it, a 4-digit date code (or alphanumeric for Carter units).

Our C3 Quadrajet Decoder only recognizes original Corvette carburetors.

Learn more in our detailed Quadrajet guide.

Share Your C3 Knowledge

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