How to Decode a Corvette VIN :: 1972-1980

Chevrolet changed the VIN configuration around again in 1972. It was still 13 digits like in 1965-1971, but the order of characters and their meaning was switched around a bit. The basic information was still shown including year, body style and engine. Decoding the VIN should always be one of your first research tasks when looking at potential Corvettes for sale.

1972 Corvette Example VIN – 13 digits

1st digit – Make/Manufacturer: 1 = Chevrolet

2nd digit – Model: Z = Corvette

3rd+4th digits – Body Style: 37 = Coupe, 67 = Convertible, 87 = Coupe (1978-1980)

5th digit – Engine: See below for list of engine codes by year

6th digit – Model Year: 2 = 1972, 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975, 6 = 1976, 7 = 1977, 8 = 1978, 9 = 1979, A = 1980

7th digit – Assembly Plant: S = St. Louis

8th-13th digits – Production Sequence Number: Starts at 5100001 with each Corvette produced being assigned the next number in sequence. In the example above the first 1972 Corvette VIN ends in 500001 and the last ends with 527004. The Production Sequence Number changed to 4100001 after 1972.

Engine VIN codes by year:

1972 –   K = base (350 cid, 200 hp), L = LT1 (350 cid, 255 hp), W = LS5 (454 cid, 270 hp)
1973 –   J = L48 (350 cid, 190 hp), T = L82 (350 cid, 250 hp), Z = LS4 (454 cid, 275 hp)
1974 –   J = L48 (350 cid, 195 hp), T = L82 (350 cid, 250 hp), Z = LS4 (454 cid, 270 hp)
1975 –   J = L48 (350 cid, 165 hp), T = L82 (350 cid, 205 hp)
1976 –   L = L48 (350 cid, 180 hp), X = L82 (350 cid, 210 hp)
1977 –   L = L48 (350 cid, 180 hp), X = L82 (350 cid, 210 hp)
1978 –   L = L48 (350 cid, 175 hp), X = L82 (350 cid, 220 hp)
1979 –   8 = L48 (350 cid, 195 hp), 4 = L82 (350 cid, 225 hp)
1980 –   H = LG4 (305 cid, 180 hp), 8 = L48 (350 cid, 190 hp), 6 = L82 (350 cid, 230 hp)