| 1st Digit:Identifies Country of Origin (1 for United States) |
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| 2nd Digit:Identifies Manufacturer (G for General Motors) |
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| 3rd Digit:Identifies Division (1 for Chevrolet) |
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| 4th Digit:Identifies Restraint System (A for Non-Passive/Manual Belts, B for Automatic Belts, C for Air Bags) |
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| 5th Digit:Identifies Carline/Series (Y for Corvette) |
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| 6th & 7th Digits:Identify Body Type (87 for Coupe) |
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| 8th Digit:Identifies Engine Code (6 for 350ci, 190hp) |
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| 9th Digit:Security Code added to VIN; varies |
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| 10th Digit:Identifies Model Year (B for 1981) |
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| 11th Digit:Identifies Assembly Plant (S for St. Louis, 5 for Bowling Green) |
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| Last 6 Digits:Identify production number (400001 for St. Louis, 100001 for Bowling Green) |