A guide to body tag decoding resources on the web

[Paulvill76]

I just found my VIN is gone , have the Holes in the engine left side but no original information is left.

Over the years I´ve found the original color is silver grey , under the orange and black , trying to fix the floor first , then the engine space .

[classicchevyowner7]

For my 61 700, I have found out all info on the trim tag, and I have decoded everything except the accessories code! Can anyone help? its XACH.

[bbodie52]

1961 ACC codes are a problem. Although it may not provide the answers you would like, you might want to read over a previous discussion on this subject...

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=7382

[StukintheMud]

Anyone have any info on the Canadian built cars? I have a 64 Spyder.

[bbodie52]

Welcome to the Corvair Forum! Here are a link that might help...

viewtopic.php?f=51&t=8448&p=56615#p56615

If you can post pictures of the VIN tag, body tag, engine serial number, etc. we can try to assist you with deciphering them.

[StukintheMud]

Thanks Brad! Lots of info there. I'm really interested in finding out what number Spyder mine is, of the 502 made up here. The body tag is #266569 and the vin is #4627006230. (I'd post a pic, but haven't figured out how yet). Not sure if I'm even able to find that out without writing GM Canada. Thanks for your help

[StukintheMud]

engine # TO428YR. I think I answered my own question here. Could this be the 428th '64 Spyder built in Canada?

[bbodie52]

engine # TO428YR. I think I answered my own question here. Could this be the 428th '64 Spyder built in Canada?

T0428YR

T = Tonawanda, New York (GM Tonawanda Engine Plant)
http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/comp ... wanda.html
0428 = Engine manufacturing date of April 28 (The year is never included in this date, unfortunately)
YR = Late 1962-1963 150hp, Compression Ratio: 8.0:1 (145 Cubic Inch Displacement) 4-Speed Manual Transmission; 1964 150hp, CR: 8.0:1 (164 CI) Manual Transmission

NOTE: Although the displacement of the turbocharged engines increased in 1964 from 145 CI to 164 CI, the carburetor and turbocharger remained unchanged in that model year. Mid range horsepower and torque curves were likely improved by the increased displacement, as would be expected in a normally aspirated engine, but the turbocharger proved to be the peak horsepower limiting factor that did not improve with increased engine displacement. (1963 145 CI engine torque was stated to be 210 lb. ft. at 3200-3400 RPM. 1964 164 CI engine torque was stated to have increased to 232 lb. ft. at 3200 RPM, while horsepower remained at 150 in both model years). The turbocharger size increased in 1965, and the camshaft changed also in that year, so the peak horsepower rating in 1965-1966 increased from 150 hp to 180 hp in the final two turbo engine production years.

Note that in 1963 the turbocharged engine camshaft timing duration was 360°, but decreased to 340° in 1964. This same camshaft was used in both the 1965 110 hp and 140 hp engines, but a different 372°/360° camshaft was introduced in the 1965 180 hp turbo engine, which also helped to account for the horsepower increase in 1965 to 180 hp.

In 1965 the 164 CI turbocharged engine compression ratio was raised from 8.0:1 to 8.25:1. The horsepower rating increased to from 150 hp to 180 hp @ 4000 RPM, and the torque rating in 1965 increased from 232 to 265 lb. ft. @ 3200 RPM.

Left-click the image to enlarge for better viewing...

All of the above camshaft specifications were copied from the GM Heritage Center specifications.

[StukintheMud]

So, does this mean Canadian cars had engines built int the States?

[bbodie52]

Yes, all Corvair engines that had serial numbers that started with "T" would have been manufactured at the Tonawanda plant. Fabricating engine components from aluminum was a relatively new process, so few GM plants could handle the Corvair engine.

[our72gto]

Thanks for putting this all in one place.

[papabox]

Is it possible to have my title state that my car is a 1962 but the body tag starts with 63?

This is amazing information btw, thanks from a 2 week Corvair Monza 900 owner!

[bbodie52]

Is it possible to have my title state that my car is a 1962 but the body tag starts with 63?

On early Corvairs, the body tag was in the engine compartment, but the VIN tag was in the driver's side door jamb. This tag is the basis for the model year registration

vinearly.gif (4.86 KiB) Viewed 7270 times

There is also a hidden VIN. It can be located on Early Models (1960-1964) behind the front crossmember on the driver side. Only the last part of the full VIN is stamped. In the example below, W143186, would reflect Willow Run (W) followed by the unique six-digit serial number for the vehicle. The first five digits are more descriptive of the subject vehicle, and include the model year, trim code, and model code designation. The unique serial number stamped in this location should match the serial number on the VIN tag in the door jamb. While the body tag in the engine compartment is descriptive of the body configuration, body color, interior color, and option codes that impact body production, the body tag does not contain the actual VIN. However, the model year on the body tag should match the VIN tag model year, unless some sort of component transplant took place that merged two vehicles.

[azdave]

Is it possible to have my title state that my car is a 1962 but the body tag starts with 63?

Of course title errors do occur but normally the title should match the VIN, hidden VIN and Body Tag info and all documents should go by the model year of the vehicle and not the year it was actually assembled or first titled.

Example: 1962 Corvairs were being built in the summer of 1961 for sale in the fall of 61 but those would still be stamped, titled and licensed as 1962 Corvairs. Even if it were sold and titled to a new owner in Nov of 61 it doesn't change the model year as being a 62.

[notched]

Is it possible to have my title state that my car is a 1962 but the body tag starts with 63?

This is amazing information btw, thanks from a 2 week Corvair Monza 900 owner!

How is your VIN attached to the pillar? Is it spot welded, riveted or screwed?

[papabox]

Here are some pics: