Why does my 1955 Corvette only have 10 digits?

1953–1955 Corvettes used a 10-digit serial number. The modern 17-digit VIN standard began in 1981. This decoder handles both formats correctly.

Is this decoder accurate for fuel-injected 1957–1962 cars?

Yes – 100 % accurate for every C1 including rare fuel-injected, dual-quad, 1953 Polo White #001–300 and all special models.

C1 Corvette VIN Decoder – Free Tool for 1953–1962 Models

1953–1962 • Free • Accurate • Easy to Us

The C1 Corvette VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 10–12-character alphanumeric code assigned to every first-generation Chevrolet Corvette produced from 1953 to 1962. The C1 VIN code reveals basic information: car series, model year, assembly plant, and sequential build number—making it indispensable for authentication, restoration, and valuation.

Enter Your C1 Corvette VIN

C1 Corvette VIN Plate Locations by Model Year

Knowing the exact VIN stamping location is essential for restorers and inspectors, as plates can be missing or damaged. Locations changed several times during the C1 run:

1953–1954

No visible VIN plate. Serial number stamped only on the frame and engine pad.

1955–1959

Riveted metal plate on the driver-side door post (B-pillar).

1960 Early

Left door hinge pillar, below the upper hinge.

1960 Late

Adjacent to steering column, aft of steering gear housing on the firewall.

1961–1962

Stamped directly onto the steering column tube in the engine bay.

C1 Corvette VIN Range by Year

Model Year	Starting VIN	Ending VIN
1953	E53F001001	E53F001300
1954	E54S001001	E54S004640
1955	VE55S001001	VE55S001700
1956	E56S001001	E56S004467
1957	E57S100001	E57S106339
1958	J58S100001	J58S109168
1959	J59S100001	J59S109670
1960	00867S100001	00867S110261
1961	10867S100001	10867S110939
1962	20867S100001	20867S114531

C1 Corvette Production by Year

A total of 69,015 C1 Corvettes were produced from 1953 to 1962 — all convertibles.

Model Year	Production Total
1953	300
1954	3,640
1955	700
1956	3,467
1957	6,339
1958	9,168
1959	9,670
1960	10,261
1961	10,939
1962	14,531

C1 Corvette VIN Structure by Year

Below are detailed VIN digit breakdowns for each model year (1953-1962). All C1 Corvettes were built in Flint or St. Louis.

1953 Corvette VIN Decoder

1953 VIN Example: E53F001001
VIN	E	5	3	F	0	0	1	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series E=Corvette	Model Year 53=1953		Plant F=Flint	Production Number 001001-001300

1954 Corvette VIN Decoder

1954 VIN Example: E54S001001
VIN	E	5	4	S	0	0	1	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series E=Corvette	Model Year 54=1954		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number 001001-004640

1955 Corvette VIN Decoder

1955 VIN Example: VE55S001001
VIN	V	E	5	5	S	0	0	1	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Meaning	Engine V=V8	Series E=Corvette	Model Year 55=1955		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number 001001-001700

1956 Corvette VIN Decoder

1956 VIN Example: E56S001001
VIN	E	5	6	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series E=Corvette	Model Year 56=1956		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1957 Corvette VIN Decoder

1957 VIN Example: E57S100001
VIN	E	5	7	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series E=Corvette	Model Year 57=1957		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1958 Corvette VIN Decoder

1958 VIN Example: J58S100001
VIN	J	5	8	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series J=Corvette	Model Year 58=1958		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1959 Corvette VIN Decoder

1959 VIN Example: J59S100001
VIN	J	5	9	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Meaning	Series J=Corvette	Model Year 59=1959		Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1960 Corvette VIN Decoder

1960 VIN Example: 00867S100001
VIN	0	0	8	6	7	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Meaning	Model Year 00=1960		Body Style 86=Convertible		Series 7=Corvette	Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1961 Corvette VIN Decoder

1961 VIN Example: 10867S100001
VIN	1	0	8	6	7	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Meaning	Model Year 10=1961		Body Style 86=Convertible		Series 7=Corvette	Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

1962 Corvette VIN Decoder

1962 VIN Example: 20867S100001
VIN	2	0	8	6	7	S	1	0	0	0	0	1
Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Meaning	Model Year 20=1962		Body Style 86=Convertible		Series 7=Corvette	Plant S=St. Louis	Production Number

Sources: GM Heritage Center, Corvette Black Book, NHTSA VIN Standards

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