1971 LT-1 Engine Pad Stamp / Vin# Question

[Cliff H.]

All,

Not on the forum much, so, please excuse any mistakes. Here is my dilemma: I have been having some conversations and exchanged a few emails and pictures with the owner of the aforementioned. I'm convinced the car is an LT-1 even though there is no tank sticker. The problem comes with the engine stamp pad. The last 2 digits in the Vin portion are reversed from the windshield pillar Vin# itself. Supposedly, a 3 owner, original engine car.

To further complicate matters, the number stamped in the tranny DOES match the windshield pillar number. So, the question(s) become:

1) Is it possible the factory somehow could accidentally reverse numbers on the engine stamp pad and NOT the transmission? (should end in 559 but is actually 595)
2) Is it just a botched up restamp somewhere in the car's past? The engine build date fits perfectly and it does have the correct CGZ code.

I'm going to try to attach a pic of the stamp pad. All thoughts and opinions appreciated and I have the owner's permission to do this.

Thanks in advance,
Cliff
Arlington, TX

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 LT-1 Engine Pad Stamp / Vin# Question

Cliff, You may need a couple of better picks and need to be clearer and closer, also post the block cast date and heads date if possible.

[Cliff H.]

Re: 1971 LT-1 Engine Pad Stamp / Vin# Question

Thanks Edward. I don't have any of that as of right now. I asked the owner what the casting # on the block was via phone, and, he didn't know. We all know what it SHOULD be. I don't think the guy is intentionally trying to mislead. Seems every pic has been blurry though. He was very upfront about the stamp pad being 36 digits off with his assumption being correct engine, wrong car, off the assembly line. Personally, I don't think so.
My bad eyes see a crooked "5" in the last digit of the engine stamp pad Vin and a very crooked first "2" in the build date. No broach marks to speak of either. The car is about 1.5 hours away. May be worth a drive to see in person, but, I don't have that warm, fuzzy, feeling yet. I'll request better pics and request the dates and wait for more responses here.
Thanks again!

[John H.]

Re: 1971 LT-1 Engine Pad Stamp / Vin# Question

Thanks Edward. I don't have any of that as of right now. I asked the owner what the casting # on the block was via phone, and, he didn't know. We all know what it SHOULD be. I don't think the guy is intentionally trying to mislead. Seems every pic has been blurry though. He was very upfront about the stamp pad being 36 digits off with his assumption being correct engine, wrong car, off the assembly line. Personally, I don't think so.
My bad eyes see a crooked "5" in the last digit of the engine stamp pad Vin and a very crooked first "2" in the build date. No broach marks to speak of either. The car is about 1.5 hours away. May be worth a drive to see in person, but, I don't have that warm, fuzzy, feeling yet. I'll request better pics and request the dates and wait for more responses here.
Thanks again!

Cliff -

Ask him to use the "Macro" mode on his camera (little flower symbol) - that will provide properly-focused close-ups.

[Tim G.]

Re: 1971 LT-1 Engine Pad Stamp / Vin# Question

For what it is worth, I have '67 Corvette #350 with a transmission matching the Protect O Plate build date, but it is stamped #349. I know of another car with the last digits stamped 92 with 62 stamped right over it. 559 and 595 could be easily mistaken and as I understand it, the transmission was stamped with another gang, so it could be correct.