How can I tell what year a car is without being told. Like looking at a car and saying thats a 56 corvette.how

Answer 1

There's alot of 'one year' hints. For instance, on Camaro's, The first year was 1967. That's the only year that had pop open 'vent windows' on the doors. In 1968 they put in a better in-dash ventilation system so '68's had a full door glass with no vent windows!
Also, in 1968 the federal government mandated that all cars sold in the United States must have side marker lights in the front fender and rear quarter. So that's a bench mark year for all car models and a 2nd great way to identify a '67 or '68 Camaro. So the side marker lights kind of "mark" wether any car is a '68 or newer.
The same goes for Center Third Brake Lights which the U.S. mandated in 1986. That's helpful on car's that remained the same and recieved the 3rd brake light halfway through it's bodystyle run. Like the '84-88 Monte Carlo SS, Grand Prix's, Corvette's etc. etc. If it has a 3rd light you know it's an '86 or newer.

Go to the library and look through the car books. Subscribe to a few magazines like Hot Rod, Muscle Car Review or Hemmings Motor News. They have Corvette only magazines too. Search car stuff on Google.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

You have to be an expert.
The title can tell you a lot, and so can deciphering the vin.
But even this can not be a positive ID.
Take Triumph and other British cars. The title would be issued when sold. So a 1962 TR-4 could sit unsold till 1964 then be titled as a 1964.
Also before such tight control on restored or reproduction cars was implemented a builder could register it as being a 1963 when it was build in his garage in 1974.
In the case of the 1956 I think that there was a "Kit Car" for this and while some could build it and register it as a 1956 Corvette, it never was one, nor should it be considered one (IMHO).

Answer 3

There's definately no easy way to do it..

You've got to just know it. Most cars of a certain make and model will have similar features during a specific time period.. meaning once you get familiar with those certain features, you'll be able to pick out time periods for a certain car. Being able to pick the exact year becomes even more of a challenge.. then you've got to recognize a feature that was specific to that year's model. Sometimes this feature will be something like the fender shapes, the tail light layout, the whole body style, the engine they used in it, you name it.. the list goes on and on. I'd say pick one particular type of car you want to become very familar with.. and learn everything you can about it. Great way to impress people when you're looking at cars.

Answer 4

To be really good at it, you must be a "student" of those cars, meaning you've spent a lot of time learning about the differences in features and design for each year model. It's almost impossible to be so knowledgeable about all makes and models, so you'll probably just settle on those makes and models that interest you the most.

For example, if you like the Mazda Miata, you would probably know that there have been three major designs since 1989 and how to recognize each. Then within each of those major designs, you would know the year-to-year differences in colors, trim, cockpit features, wheel designs, headlights, taillights, and profile. Because year-to-year changes are often subtle, even experts can have a difficult time determining which is which.

Answer 5

Newer cars (made after 1985) have a sticker on the door jamb that says what year they were manufactured.

Older cars don't. Sometimes you just need to hit the books to determine a car's year of manufacture.

I've never had to do it, so I can't give you particulars. All my cars came with titles, and the year of purchase and manufacture are written right there.

I do have one motorcycle that I bought as a 1957 (that's what the title said), but when I was cleaning it, I found the factory identification plate and under the dirt it said it was manufactured in 1955. I actually bought it at a dealership in 1991, and when they found out it was a '55, they offered me twice what I paid them two weeks previously to buy it back. It was really cool.

Answer 6

Keith, I can tell you most of the makes and models of cars from 1952 to 1959. That is when I was working on cars with my dad and had a real interest. I still recognize those cars when I see them, Which is less and less these day. I do love going to old car shows.

Now a days it is hard for me to recognize my own car in a large parking lot. :) It seems they are all so similar.

It takes mental effort and perhaps a special type of memory.
My father and one of my sons are very good at this, because a they are interested, b they make the effort, c they have very good attention to detail and d they have very good memory.

Answer 7

the vin number holds all that information, but requires some research. otherwise, it's just a matter of learning them. pay attention to the small details like shape of the headlights and tailights, bumpers, front grilles, all that stuff. buy car magazines, or browse through ebay motors. as much as memorizing anything else, familiarity is the key.

Answer 8

A lot of older cars had the model year built into the numbers on the tail light lens.

Answer 9

i have self belief 350z Nismo has diverse lower back tail + side skirt from the traditional 350z. you should make a decision for your broking service and ask for his or her damn rationalization. this is unusual to me once you probably did not take a attempt force for the 350z Nismo, and signed all workplace paintings without gazing them.

Answer 10

You have to be familiar with things like the radiator grill, headlights and fenders, what years they made changes in body design, things like that.