corvettewill

is there a way to determine what options came from the factory on a 67 L71 coupe other than the build sheet or tank sticker?

Nowhere Man

detective work. but that doesn't always work either

leif.anderson93

Unfortunately, without the tank sticker or orginal build sheet you're kinda out of luck. Chevrolet (GM) didn't keep those kind of files back then. Even an original, signed order sheet from the dealer and customer wouldn't be conclusive as sometimes cars were built without one or more of the ordered options installed...rare, but it happened (and still does to this day).

Vet65te

If there is no documentation available, you really are down to plain old detective work as already mentioned. Besides looking for the usual date codes on the drivetrain, there are codes for the window glass to see if it was ordered with tinted windows, if it has side exhaust and you suspect it might not have come that way from the factory, look underneath to see if the old ground straps are still attached to the center crossmemeber (for undercar exhaust). Also for side exhaust, it the triangular splash pans just ahead of the firewall still have the rubber seal stapled along the edge, that's an indicator that it wasn't a factory side exhaust car. For power windows, take a close look at the oval opening in the front door jamb for the door conduit. Not an exact way to tell but in most cases, the factory didn't do a nice clean trim of that slot as opposed to a home mechanic adding PW and making the slot symmetrical and smooth. If you can post up some pics of any particular option you're wondering about, that would help.
Mike T - Prescott AZ

Marks69BB

All side exhaust bodies were built in St. Louis so if it is an A. O. Smith body on your VIN tag, they are not original if present. Also evidence of rocker panel brackets that were cut underneath along the frame rails is another clue they've been added.

1974purchase

the protect-o-plate will provide some of the options primarily related to the drivetrain

corvettewill

Mike : Thanks for the info. I am trying to determine if the car came with the F41 heavy duty suspension. The car currently has a 9 leaf rear spring, however, the car has been restored, so the restorer may have used what was available. Unfortunately, no tank sticker or build sheet. Any ideas? I know from my research that not all L71 cars came with the F41 suspension, it was an option.

Nowhere Man

If the car was restored with any effort of making it look clean and original all evidence will be removed and nothing to go by. And with no real GM papers I would not pay any extra for what they claim it is.

Powershift

Other things you might look for is the F41 suspension option had a larger diameter front sway bar (15/16 inch), and the rear shock mounts were HD and carried a different part number than standard suspension. I don't have these numbers handy, but someone else might have this info, or you can Google it, or check the Corvette catalogs like Paragon.

The shocks were also different, but the originals are probably long gone. But you can check. Rear spring was also different as you already pointed out.

You can make the car what you want. Just decide if the $$$ are worth it to you. No one will probably ever know whether it is factory stock or not.

This option was supposedly only available with L-71 or L-88 engines. The total of these is 3774 cars. There were 2198 cars optioned with F41. So approx 60% of the L-71 BB cars had this option…..about 2 out of 3.

Larry