C1 Corvette VIN Decoder

When the Corvette first came out in 1953 the VIN was simple and to the point. It was made up of 10 digits giving basic information like model year, assembly plant and where that particular car fell in the production sequence. 1955 was slightly different (for that model year only) with the addition of a prefix for V8 engined cars. In 1956 things went back to normal till 1960 when Chevy changed the Corvette VIN, going to a 12 digit VIN instead of the previous 10 digits. The added 2 digits distinguish between coupe and convertible body style.

C1 Corvette VIN Ranges (by Year)

C1 Corvette VIN Location

The VIN on a Corvette has always been stamped on a plate, although the location of that plate has varied over the years. From 1953 through early 1960 the VIN was located on the drivers side door post. Most later C1 Corvettes have the VIN stamp in the driver’s side frame rail pretty much directly underneath the driver’s rear end. On the C1 Corvette the VIN was also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1953 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1953 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. Some 1953 Corvette also has a second VIN stamp on the X member. It would be on the driver’s side front bar of the “X”. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1954 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1954 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1955 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1955 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. It is near the left door hinge below courtesy lamp switch. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1956 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1956 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post, below upper hinge. It is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1957 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1956 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post, below upper hinge. It is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1958 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1956 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post, below upper hinge. It is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1959 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1956 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post, below upper hinge. It is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1960 Corvette VIN Location. The 1960 Corvette is the first year that did not feature the VIN tag in the door jamb (as with all previous models). The early 1960 VIN was placed on the left Door hinge pillar below upper hinge. Late 1960 cars had the VIN next to the steering column aft of steering gear housing.

1961 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1961 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped on a stainless steel tag and secured to the steering column in the engine compartment.

1962 Corvette VIN Location. For all 1962 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped on a stainless steel tag and secured to the steering column in the engine compartment.

C1 Corvette VIN Decoder (1953 to 1959)

When the Corvette first came out in 1953 the VIN was simple and to the point. It was made up of 10 digits giving basic information like model year, assembly plant and where that particular car fell in the production sequence. Remember that decoding the VIN is just the first step when looking at potential Corvettes for sale or when researching.

C1 Corvette VIN Explanation (1953-1959)

Prefix digit – V8 Engine: “V” for V8 engine. In 1955 only, there was a prefix digit to signify if the car had a V8 engine. That means 1955 cars with a V8 had an 11 digit VIN number. 1955 cars with a V6 had the stamped “V” omitted and thus have a 10 digit VIN.

Digit 1 – Series and Model: “E” for (1953-1957) or “J” for (1958-1959) indicates the Corvette model.

Digit 2 & 3 – Model Year: A two-digit model year. “53” for 1953, “54” for 1954, “55” for 1955, “56” for 1956, “57” for 1957, “58” for 1958, “59” for 1959,

Digit 4 – Assembly Plant: “F” for Flint, Michigan in 1953 only. “S” for St. Louis for 1954 through 1959. In 1953 only Corvettes were assembled at the Flint, MI plant. After that St. Louis became the home of the Corvette for decades until the move to Bowling Green in 1981.

Digit 5 through 10 – Production Number: This is the six-digit build sequence number. In 1953 through 1956 that number started at 001001. For 1957 through 1959 it started with 100001. Each Corvette produced was assigned the next number in sequence. Last sequence number should equal total production for that year in almost all cases.

Important changes to remember

• 1954: The 4th Digit changed to S for St. Louis.
• 1955: Early Corvette’s that had 6 Cylinder engines did not have the Letter “V” as the first Sequence Number. The Letter “V” stands for V8. The VIN of 6 cylinder cars will always start with the Letter “E”. This is why the VIN will be 10 digits for 1953-54 cars. For the 1955 model only they added the letter V to get 11. After 1955 they went back to a 10 digit sequence.
• 1957: The production number changed to begin at 100001.
• 1958: The Series and Model digit changed from E to J

1953 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last three digits begin at 001 and run thru 300, accounting for each of  the 300 Corvettes built in 1953. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1953 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1954 Corvette VIN Decoder

1955 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last three digits begin at 1001 and run thru 1700, accounting for each of  the 700 Corvettes built in 1955. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1955 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

Early Corvette’s that had 6 Cylinder engines did not have the Letter “V” as the first Sequence Number. The Letter “V” stands for V8. The VIN of 6 cylinder cars will always start with the Letter “E”. This is why the VIN will be 10 digits for 1953-54 cars. For the 1955 model they added the letter V to get 11. After 1955 they went back to a 10 digit sequence.

1956 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last three digits begin at 1001 and run thru 4467, accounting for each of  the 3,467 Corvettes built in 1956. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1956 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1957 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 106339, accounting for each of the 6,339 Corvettes built in 1957. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1957 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1958 Corvette VIN Decoder

1959 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 109670, accounting for each of the 9,670 Corvettes built in 1959. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1959 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the driver side door post. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

C1 Corvette VIN Decoder (1960 to 1962)

In 1960 Chevy changed the Corvette VIN. They went from 10 digits up to a 12 digit VIN. The added 2 digits distinguish between coupe and convertible body style. There was also a change in the designation of the Corvette series by Chevy to 08. The digit order was also changed slightly.

C1 Corvette VIN Explanation (1960 to 1962)

Digit 1 – Model Year: A one-digit model year. “0” for 1960, “1” for 1961, “2” for 1962.

Digit 2 & 3 – Series: A two-digit number which is General Motors identification/series code for Chevrolet Corvette. “08” for Corvette.

Digit 4 & 5 – Body Style: “37” for Coupe, “67” for Convertible.

Digit 6 – Assembly Plant: “S” for St. Louis for 1960 to 1962.

Digit 7 through 12 – Production Number: This is the six-digit build sequence number. In 1960 through 1962 that number started at 100001. Each new Corvette produced being assigned the next number in sequence. Last sequence number should equal total production for that year in almost all cases.

1960 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 110261, accounting for each of the 10,261 Corvettes built in 1960. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1960 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is located on the steering column in the engine compartment.

The 1960 Corvette is the first year that did not feature the VIN tag in the door jamb (as with all previous models). It is also the first year Corvette that included a VIN that was in excess of ten digits. The VIN is also stamped on several locations on the Corvette frame.

1961 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 110939. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1961 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped on a stainless steel tag and secured to the steering column in the engine compartment.

1962 Corvette VIN Decoder

The last six digits begin at 100001 and run thru 110939. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. For all 1962 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is stamped on a stainless steel tag and secured to the steering column in the engine compartment.