Unfortunately, there isn't a publicly available, easily searchable database correlating VINs to exact production dates for all 1986 Corvettes. However, you can approach it with these methods:
* VIN Decoder: Use a VIN decoder service (many are online, some are fee-based). A good decoder will not only give you the basic specs of the car but may also provide the production date, which will then allow you to determine if it's early or late in the model year. Look for a decoder that specifically states it can decode 1986 Corvette VINs.
* Chevrolet's Documentation (Difficult): Chevrolet's internal production records might contain this information, but accessing them is highly unlikely without being a dealer or having direct connections within GM's archives.
* Corvette Owner's Club: Contact a Corvette owners' club or forum. Members might have resources or experience in identifying early/late production based on specific VIN ranges or other clues (like trim details). This is a community-based approach, and the accuracy depends on the information available within the club.
* Build Sheet (Ideal but Rare): If the car's original build sheet is available, it will definitively state the production date. Finding an original build sheet is rare, however.
In short, while there's no simple "early/late" identifier in the VIN, a VIN decoder is your best bet. The production date it provides will let you judge whether the car is an early or late model year example. Keep in mind that "early" and "late" are relative terms; there's no official cutoff point.
