1962?

My father recently passed away and left me his corvette. I was told that it was a 1962 but the VIN (10867S106254) states it is a 1961. There isnt any chrome around the head lights but there is around the cove. The paint is 2 tone with white being the main color and blue in the cove and the interior. I have alot of junk to remove in order to get at the engine but where do i look to see if the numbers match? Im new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated. Also how can I find out what the car was originally equipped with?  

Most likely the car is a '61, that it was probably purchased new in '62, and the owner then thought his whole life it was a '62.  If the paint is all still original the most telltale sign it's not a '62 is the painted coves, as all '62 coves matched the rest of the paint.  And of course the VIN is also a big clue.