Topic: Early vs Late 1969 C3?
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
I'm finding references to early and late 1969 C3's when I look at steering columns. (I'm thinking of switching to a tilt/telescope model) How do I determine if mine is early or late model?
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
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Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
What's the difference in the reference? Tilt/Tel vs straight?
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Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
[QUOTE=lukesvette]What's the difference in the reference? Tilt/Tel vs straight?[/QUOTE]
By Tilt/Tel I mean a column that allows tilting or telescoping. Straight is one that doesn't.
By Tilt/Tel I mean a column that allows tilting or telescoping. Straight is one that doesn't.
The build date is found on the plate on the drivers side door on the front jam..hopefully it is still there..it's wired different between the two..I have a Dec 7 1969..which I have found is really a 70 in all parts..take a pic of it and post it..if you can't figure it out..
Rich
Rich
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
'69 was an extended model year due to a GM strike so it can be difficult to determine early vs. late simply by build date, unless it's a very early or late date. My '69 is a Feb. 20 '69 build date and in most model years might be a later date, in this case it's an early date.
Outside of knowing the build date according to the data plate he easiest way is to look at the vacuum canister on the right side of the cowl under the hood. If it's the large "coffee can" type of vacuum canister, it's considered early. If it's the "pie-plate" style...looks like two small pie plates stuck together...it's considered a late build car. That's not absolute, as a number of running changes were done throughout the model year, but that's probably the easiest to tell.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Check you TRIM TAG for the build date, first. As Bruce points out, there were MANY running changes made during any model year, but especially the early cars. There are rarely any specific VIN breaks, or date, for most running changes.
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 365
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Thanks guys. My trim tag says L01 which I presume is July 1st, 1969? Making it late '69 or hard to tell. And here I thought L01 was the designation for the 300HP engine!
-Jim
-Jim
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Well, in a normal production year, a July build would be considered "late", but, since the '69 production run went all the way to December, certain aspects of the vehicle could be considered "early", even at that point. By July, they would have already had parts on hand to begin the '70 model year builds, so some of those parts might well have made it on to the cars at that point. Once DeLorean decided to extend the run into Dec., all bets were off. From the engineering standpoint, if the part would fit, and function properly, it would be ok to use.
Is there anything specific you are trying to determine, as far as what part(s) you might need?
Is there anything specific you are trying to determine, as far as what part(s) you might need?
Joel Adams
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
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Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
Since you are only talking about a steering column switch, that is the only thing to check. Look at the connector in your car, and get a column with one that matches. We stock and adapter that lets you use an earlier switch in a layer car, so maybe someone makes one the other way around.
Larry
Larry
Lifetime MemberTemple City, CA - USA
Joined: 10/3/2010
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Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow. 350 / Automatic.
Thanks all. Actually two projects now. The steering column and t-top
gaskets. Wide price range on both. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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