I didn't read every reply so I may be repeating what someone else has already said; I find it hard to believe that if this car was a test mule, that GM would have bothered to provide a VIN that reflects the production model VIN rules. I mean wouldn't the powertrain R&D team just grab a regular production Z28 and do a transplant without big-dealing the details such as the VIN. These cars are never intended to make it into the hands of Joe Public, so why would it ever matter if the VIN had the correct engine code?

Sounds fishy to me.

 

there is some very good detective work here on this board.
incredible.........
if that is a invalid VIN and you got pulled over then it wouldn't matter because the plates on that car would come back to that VIN (if that is not a doctored title) and it wouldn't matter to the cop if the car has a 8---f---or z there as long as the plates, VIN that came back when he ran the plate and the VIN on the veh stamp then all is happy in his world...till he gets in the patrol car and starts laughing at the stupid kid crashing into a cow!!!!!!
later
biker

 

I used to work in an OEM parts supplier (brakes) and the cars we got from GM (or any other manufacturer for that matter) had a sticker, or plate, attached to the radiator support. It basically said, the vehicle was for engineering evaluation only, and was not legal for highway use. ( the exact wording varied by manufacturer, but that was the gist of it) So how the hell did this test mule get into the hands of 85CAM those cars are normally destroyed, put into storage, or given to a museum, not sold to employees of the testing company. Just imagine the liability suit that would face one of these manufacturers if the car got out, and something failed on it causing a wreck, when the it says on the car- not legal for highway use. I just can't see it happening. If it did, that car needs to be kept in a heated garage and only driven to shows. Cause it's the rarest of the rare

 

 

Wow, 82RECAROTA you went as far as to check the tax rates for his state? Now *that* is good detective work :hail:
I got an unrelated question for ya.. what engine is VIN code "7" in 1983, is that the L69? There was a near-mint rare-colored 1983 T/A on ebay not too long ago, I think it said it was a Cross-fire but that would've been "S", right? The car looked totally legit, but I was dumbfoudned by the engine code. VIN was valid and existent with history too. If you know, let me know. Thanks GT

 

Hmm, actually I found the VIN and my pics of the car.. It's got one of the highest '83 Norwood VIN's I've ever come across so I'm guessing it is one of the late intro L69's, it's a stick shift too. 1G2AW8776DN233396

 

kizz,
thanks, I must have mis calculated or missed something when I did the calcuations... Interesting I did them twice...

I am glad to see that this is aparently put to light, i wondered personally, but was hopeful that GM might have done something odd back in 85. As for me I have no association to 85CAMZ28TPI... (Disclaimer)

John