Hud1086

So I knew I needed to replace the gas tank, sending unit, etc, but what I didn't expect after 49 years was to actually find a readable tank sticker! The car is numbers matching but I had no documentation on it until this.

Can't wait to start looking more into her history and options now that I have this! Proud owner right now!

hummiscorvettetaken

Nice find

7T1vette

Stick it in an acid-free plastic sleeve. If you want to do more to preserve it, research 'Document Preservation' on the web or visit a document restorer.

CV62Air

Wow! That was a great find. Very cool

jr9170

Easy Mike

Sweet. You're very lucky!

Alan 71

Hi HUD,
What a NICE combination…. 350 hp, 4-speed, CONVERTIBLE, with 3.70 rear gears.
Someone knew just what they were doing!
Regards,
Alan

AND no radio!
I'd be interested in seeing the area where the antenna would have been mounted, from below… if the tank happen to still be down?

Don Rickles

A little hard to make the codes but if I read it correctly this MIGHT be helpful?

Here the results out of the dealer codes database based on the provided search criteria:

Zone Dealer Number Dealer Name
Show Dealer Details Change Dealer Details 18 92 Unknown
Show Dealer Details Change Dealer Details 18 92 BOB BROWN CHEVROLET INC

Hud1086

Alan, the strange thing is that there IS an antenna on the car. When I first got it I couldn't figure it out because there was an antenna on the back but no radio. Had someone taken the radio out and covered the place it had been?


Nope, looks like either at the factory they made a mistake, or someone added it afterward for some sort of system in the 'trunk' area.


Either way, I had no idea it had the M-21 and 3:70 gears!

Hud1086

Thanks for this info! Today at 'the job that pays the bills' I will continue this research. I've hunted down 2 previous owners and traced it back as far as Chicago in the early 80's, but knowing the dealer would be awesome!

Alan 71

Hi HUD,
The reason I ask is because I'm unclear if the opening for the antenna was cut on all cars and then 'patched' for cars without a radio, or if the deck was only cut for cars with the optional radio.
Regards,
Alan

Hud1086

I have the same question. When I get around to it I can take a picture of the hole and maybe someone with a radio can compare how it looks to theirs? I've had to 'tighten up' the antenna before, and it was an oblong hole that was pretty jagged, so not sure if that's how it was done on the line or if it would have been more smoothly cut from the factory.

gearheaddroppings

My 1970 is original without a radio. Over my 20 years of ownership, this is what I have determined.

1. After stripping paint off of my car, antenna hole was present but filled (most likely at the factory). I have pictures of this if anyone wants to see.

2. The noise filter on the fan was looped onto itself and not installed.

3. No exhaust ground straps present. Holes in frame did not have bolts installed. Exhaust was most likely replaced in the 1970's, so not sure on what would be correct.

4. Uncertain about exactly what ignition shielding came with the car. The wire looms on both sides of the distributor were present. Guides say lower shielding should be present, but engine was rebuilt before I got car.

Alan 71

Hi ghd,
I would be interested in the photo of the antenna area. I'm especially curious about the shape of the hole for the antenna.
I would expect a car without a radio to have the 2 distributor shield supports, the 2 spark plug wire guide brackets that bolt to the rear flange of the block, the 2 boom-a-rang heat shields,the 2 spark plug wire guides that attach at the oil pan, and the 4 spark plug heat shields.
Have you had occasion to look behind the dash to see if the other condensers that were part of the radio option are in place?
Regards,
Alan

raydog9379

I second that. Don't just buy any sleeve. Find archival quality. I also collect historical documents. Clearbags is a brand I use. You can buy them at Hobby Lobby.

If you must tape the pieces, there is archival tape as well. It's expensive but don't use anything else on it if you feel like you want to tape some of the tears. It's called Transparent Mending Tissue and made by Lineco. About $6 for a little roll.

Hud1086

Thanks for the tips. Sadly it's too late for the tape. In order to get the sticker off of the tank in one piece I placed a line of clear packing tape over the glue line so that when I took the razor blade carefully to the glue to remove it the print/paper would stay in tact and readable with the tape. Rookie mistake. Afraid that tape is not going anywhere now

raydog9379

It'll probably brown out over the years, but that'll be a long time. Not sure if you can get it off without worse damage.

I'd make sure to keep it in the acid free holder and out of direct sunlight.

Sweet find btw, and sounds like an awesome car.

gearheaddroppings

I have not had a chance to look behind the dash. I am almost positive there is no type of antenna wire present.

I will scan that old picture of the deck sanded with the filler present for the antenna hole and post it.

My car was a very strange order. PS, PB, A/C, M20, 3.55 rear, and no radio.

Don Rickles

With a quick review of previous years RPO production numbers, its clear that the bean counters knew, most buyers ordered radios. The leads us to assume ALL cars had the holes, and the occasional non U69 order would be filled. Could you see the time required on the line to drill out the majority of cars? I don't think so.