extra tail light?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,340
Likes: 2,716
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Re: extra tail light? (78shark)
If you ordered your '67 from Clippinger Chevy in CA. the salesman named Bob Wingate could pull strings with Chevy and get a Factory Shop Order, (FSO) car for you with special things including three taillights on each side. Other than that as far as I know no other '63-'67 could or would have three lights. Not an option! :yesnod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 9,506
Likes: 6
From: Out East L.I. NY
St. Jude Donor '03, '04 & '05
Re: extra tail light? (Bluestripe67)
Cars & Parts Corvette just did an article about Wingate and Clippinger - had a pic with a couple of the "special" 6-light cars on the lot...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: extra tail light? (78shark)
It certainly wasn't a factory option, although a lot of folks did it. I have seen vintage race photos that have mid years with the extra lights. I have even heard of it called the "california option". My 66 had it and it looked original until I pulled them out for a total repaint. The holes were cut by hand and the extra lights just spiced into the wiring harnes. Not even a good splice.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 12
From: Pleasant Grove AL
Re: extra tail light? (78shark)
While this "option" was in most cases an owner inspired modification, there were obviously some cars delivered new from Chevy to the dealer with these installed. They did not come out of the factory that way, but they were not dealer installed either. Guess that would create a problem for NCRS, judging a car to a "as delivered" standard. :eek:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente Ca.
Re: extra tail light? (62fuelie)
I have known both Bob's for a few years now.
(can you spot them on pg 4 of my web page?)
Everyone can think what they want.
I however believe the 67 FSO car was shipped to the dealership
with several "items" most would not believe.
Wingate built a similar car in 66, then requested that the 67 FSO car to be set up in similar fashion. It was a reward for selling more Corvettes than
anyone in 1966. Its easy to fall into the "I know it all trap"
So, I dont pretend to know it all.I have just learned to be careful
before throwing the :bs flag.
In 67 that car came in 2nd year overall behind the Black Rat.
Then it was turned in for a new 68. After that it was lost in the Big Bear area
for many years prior to Bob R's surprise find/restoration.
Neat car. His C3 L88 is worth a look as well.
:cheers:
(can you spot them on pg 4 of my web page?)
Everyone can think what they want.
I however believe the 67 FSO car was shipped to the dealership
with several "items" most would not believe.
Wingate built a similar car in 66, then requested that the 67 FSO car to be set up in similar fashion. It was a reward for selling more Corvettes than
anyone in 1966. Its easy to fall into the "I know it all trap"
So, I dont pretend to know it all.I have just learned to be careful
before throwing the :bs flag.
In 67 that car came in 2nd year overall behind the Black Rat.
Then it was turned in for a new 68. After that it was lost in the Big Bear area
for many years prior to Bob R's surprise find/restoration.
Neat car. His C3 L88 is worth a look as well.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: extra tail light? (396 RAT)
As I understand it (other than the Wingate car now owned by Bob Radke), Clippinger installed the extra taillights themselves prior to delivery on customers' cars who wanted them (the "California option"). The NCRS judging standard would deal with this as an "owner- or dealer-inspired enhancement", as the judging standard describes the car as delivered to the customer after "normal" dealer preparation :steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Re: extra tail light? (396 RAT)
Agree, now what about the "Blue Streaks" ?
This should keep the ball rolling..... :lurk:
This should keep the ball rolling..... :lurk:
The only piece of paper that would really cap it off is that particular F&SO document, which would describe in detail, with part numbers, exactly what deviations had been authorized for the car's build and how the non-production parts would be procured and shipped to St. Louis; the original went to St. Louis, and carbon copies (no copiers in those days) remained at Chevrolet, buried in filing cabinet drawers somewhere, whose contents have long since hit the dumpster. Bob would KILL for that piece of paper :yesnod:
