I recently bought a used camaro from a "crazy" old man down the street. When I bought it he said it was a 86 sport coupe with a 305. After I started looking more closely at the car, I started to believe it to be an 87. The VIN number on the RPO sheet and on the hatch are the same and not the one under the windshield. The 86 VIN says it is an 86 with a v6, and the other VIN says it is an 87 with the LG4 305. The motor has to be a 87 (centerbolt valvecovers), and all the RPO codes one the sheet match the car. Is there a way to really tell the difference between an 86 or an 87? It's been painted so I can't tell much about the paint stripes or any marks. Oh yeah and what was the 1SC option? All it says is that it's the PACKAGE, OPTION 03? Thanks.

 

I believe all 86 cars had brake lights on the top of the hatch. people hated them. This is a good way to tell unless im incorrect

 

The RPO codes are consistent with a 1987. This makes me wonder why the windshield VIN (the official one used by MVD) is for a 1986. Is the car titled with the windshield VIN? It should be.

Granted, it's always possible to swap parts from car to car, i.e. hatch, engine, doors, etc., but it is illegal to swap windshield VIN tags.

I'd suggest checking the VIN on other body parts. There is one on each rear quarter panel. The right side VIN tag can be accessed easily by removing the spare tire. On the left side, you'll have to loosen the plastic panel that holds the rear glove box.

There are also VIN tags on both doors, hood, front fenders, front and rear bumper reinforced steel bars. I believe the front fender VIN tags can be seen by looking from under the car. The tags on the front and rear bumper bars can only be seen by removing the bumper cover (lots of work for the front, not too hard for the rear).

Hope this helps.

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Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Former Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Former Paxton (6-psig) & former 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
Current ATI D1SC (Initially 10-psig): Projecting high 11's.
Future ATI D1SC (15-psig): Gotta catch them pesky 26-psig boosted TTA's!!

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited April 19, 2001).]

 

what are the emissions laws where you live? does an 87 have to pas and not an 86? that would be a good reason to swap window tags. what does the title say?

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I WOULD RATHER PUSH A CAMARO THAN DRIVE AN IMPORT

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

The smog laws are pretty easy around here. We don't havet to pass any e-check, in this county at least. I'm pretty sure it's an 87 (because of the VIN numbers). The 87 had a salvage title (carfax.com), so I think someone just changed the visible VIN tag to get a real title for it. Thanks for your help.

Does anyboody know what the "1SC" RPO option was?