What is a Corvette C3 VIN Decoder?

A free online tool that decodes the VIN of 1968–1982 Corvette C3 models to reveal model year, engine type, body style, and production details using GM Heritage Center data.

How do I decode my Corvette C3 VIN?

Enter your 1968–1982 Corvette’s VIN into our tool or manually decode it using our year-specific guides for 1968–1982, covering VIN formats and engine codes.

Can I decode trim tags or engine codes?

Yes, our tool decodes trim tags (interior/exterior colors), engine codes, block casting numbers, and Quadrajet carburetor details for 1968–1982 Corvettes.

How accurate is the VIN decoder?

Our decoder uses verified GM Heritage Center data and official Corvette documentation, ensuring high accuracy for enthusiasts and restorers.

Corvette C3 VIN Decoder (1968–1982)

Looking for a quick way to decode your 1968–1982 Corvette C3 VIN? Use our instant VIN decoder below, powered by verified GM Heritage Center data, to unlock detailed specs, engine options, and production data. Created by Jasse, a Corvette C3 owner and enthusiast with over 10 years of decoding and restoration experience, this tool also decodes other C3 factory codes. See a real example of how it works in my 1976 Corvette VIN decoding example.

Enter your VIN to get model year, body style, factory codes, engine details, and more in seconds!

Prefer to decode manually? Scroll down for our detailed Corvette C3 VIN guide.

Automated Corvette C3 VIN Decoder – Enter Your VIN Below

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

Engines
Transmissions
RPO codes
Exterior colors
Interior colors / types

If you're having trouble decoding, please leave feedback so I can help resolve the issue.

Corvette C3 VIN Number Basics

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:

1968, 1969, 1970, 1971: 194379S700001 (13 characters)

1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980: 1Z37K2S500001 (13 characters)

1981, 1982: 1G1AY8764BS400001 (17 characters)

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 birthday calculator to find out!

Where to Find Your Corvette C3 VIN

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.

A close-up image of a Corvette C3 VIN plate, riveted to the bottom front face of the driver's side windshield pillar. The VIN is visible through the glass. — The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of a Corvette C3 is located on a plate riveted to the bottom front face of the driver's side windshield pillar.

Manual Corvette C3 VIN Decoding – Step-by-Step Guide

The easiest way to decode a Corvette C3 VIN is by using the decoder at the top of the page, but you can also do it manually from here.

Find your VIN on the Corvette or its documentation.
Examine each character or group of characters in the VIN to understand its meaning.
Refer to the corresponding VIN position numbers in the table below for the correct year.
Match each digit to its description (e.g., model, body style, engine, year, production sequence).

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 Engine
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 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 Engine
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 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 Engine
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 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 Engine, LT1 Engine, W = LS5 Engine
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 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 Engine, L = L82 Engine, Z = LS4 Engine
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 (L), 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 Engine, T = L82 Engine, Z = LS4 Engine
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 (L), 1974 Model Year (4), St. Louis Assembly plant (S), First Production Unit (500001).

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 Engine, T = L82 Engine
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 Engine, X = L82 Engine
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 Engine, X = L82 Engine
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 Engine, 4 = L82 Engine
6	Model Year	8 = 1978
7	Assembly plant	S = St. Louis
8-13	Unit Number	400001 - 440274

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).

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 Engine, 4 = L82 Engine
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 Engine, 6 = L82 Engine, H = LG4 Engine (California)
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 build
2	Manufacturer	G = GM
3	Make	1 = Chevrolet
4	Restraint System	A = Manual belts
5	Series	Y = Corvette
6-7	Body Style	87 = Coupe
8	Engine	6 = L81
9	Check Number	Random number
10	Model Year	B = 1981
11	Assembly plant	S = St. Louis, 5 = Bowling Green
12-17	Unit Number	400001 - 431611 (St. Louis) 5100001 - 5108995 (Bowling Green)

Example VIN 1G1AY8764BS400001 → US Build (1), GM (G), Chevrolet (1), Manual belts (A), Corvette (Y), Coupe (87), L81 Engine (6), Check code (4), 1981 Model Year (B), St. Louis Assembly (S), First Production Unit (400001).

Year	VIN Range	Total Production
1981	1G1AY8764BS400001 – 1G1AY8764BS431611 (St. Louis), 1G1AY8764B5100001 – 1G1AY8764B5108995 (Bowling Green)	40,606

Check other specifications of the 1981 Corvette

1982 Corvette VIN decoder

Position	Description	Possible Values
1	Country	1 = US build
2	Manufacturer	G = GM
3	Make	1 = Chevrolet
4	Restraint System	A = Manual belts
5	Series	Y = Corvette
6-7	Body Style	87 = Coupe, 07 = Collector Edition
8	Engine	8 = L83
9	Check Number	Random number
10	Model Year	C = 1982
11	Assembly plant	5 = Bowling Green
12-17	Unit Number	100001 - 125408

Example VIN 1G1AY8786C5100001 → US Build (1), GM (G), Chevrolet (1), Manual belts (A), Corvette (Y), Coupe (87), L83 Engine (8), Check code (6), 1982 Model Year (C), Bowling Green Assembly (5), First Production Unit (100001).

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

Check other specifications of the 1982 Corvette

C3 Corvette Trim tag decoder

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

Trim tag or trim plate location above the driver's upper door hinge in Corvette C3 models (1968-1982), used for identifying options and features. — The trim tag or trim plate location above the driver's upper door hinge

The trim tag consists of a body build date, trim code (interior color, leather/vinyl/cloth), and external color code. Chevrolet had recommended color combinations, but the buyer could order any exterior/interior color combination they wanted.

The body build date is the date when the partially assembled and painted body got the trim tag. The car's final assembly date is typically several days after the body build date.

The C3 Corvettes used two trim tags, the cars built at the St. Louis plant (1968-1981) there is written "Chevrolet" at the top, and the cars built at the Bowl Green plant (late 1981 - 1982) begins with the letter B or C, depending on the year of manufacture.

Because the 1968 - early 1981 trim tag does not have a year mark, it must be entered into Corvette C3 Trim Tag Decoder when decoding.

Engine code, partial VIN, block casting code

The engine code (assembly date and suffix code) and partial VIN code are stamped into a pad at the front passenger side of the engine near the water pump mount area.

Chevrolet engine code location on front passenger side near water pump mount — The engine code is stamped onto a pad on the front passenger side of the engine, near the water pump mounting area.

All the Chevrolet C3 Corvettes engines were marked with an engine code at the engine assembly plant, which indicated location, date, and limited engine specifications (engine code suffix).

When the engine arrived at the body assembly plant, it was stamped with a partial VIN code consisting of a divisional code, assembly plant code, and the VIN sequential number.

Since engine suffix codes may be reused over time, it's important to also check the partial VIN code for accurate identification.

Chevrolet engine code examples — Visual examples of Chevrolet engine codes: comparison of pre-1977 and post-1977 stamping.

The engine block casting number is located on the flange where the engine mates to the transmission bell housing. This number helps determine the years the block was used and the engine's cubic inch displacement.

Corvette C3 Decoder also recognizes engine and block codes other than those used in the Corvettes.

Chevrolet block casting number — Chevrolet engine block casting number.

Quadrajet part number

The Quadrajet is a four-barrel carburetor, made by the Rochester Division of General Motors. It was used in all C3 Corvettes except in 1981 when crossfire injection replaced carburetors. Alongside the Quadrajet, Holley carburetors were also in use from 1968 to 1972.

Quadrajet identification information is stamped into the main body on the driver's side.

Quadrajet carburetor identification stamp located on the main body, driver's side, for Corvette C3 models (1968-1982) — Quadrajet Carburetor Identification - Stamped on Driver's Side Main Body

The part number shows the year of manufacture, type of carb, division, and whether is it a manual/automatic transmission model.

Below the part number, there is a date code which is a 4-digit code, except for units manufactured by Carter where it is an alphanumeric combination.

Corvette C3 Decoder Quadrajet part number decoder recognizes carburetors used originally in the Chevrolet Corvettes.

You can read more about the functions and identification of the Quadrajet in the Quadrajet article.

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