That is the question??????????

My 69 as a lot of old cars has been around the block a few times.
That's OK I used to know a few girls that way
I'm starting to wonder just what it is I have, not that I really care THAT much as I like what I got. The motor that came in the car is not original so obviously neither is the one I installed, but the tranny & rear end both have 68 date codes, I'm starting to wonder is some one hasn't made one car from two?? I had heard that one of the former owners used to do that! Any way to absolutely tell what the running frame-gear came from?? Is there a number on the frame I can match to the body?? I know it was a BB car because of the sway bar, HD U-drives, & HD rad.

 

There are VIN derivatives stamped on the frame, very hard to see with the body on. Is it an auto tranny...if so, and original to the car, it will have a VIN derivative stamped on the driver's side just above the pan.

Steve

 

68 date codes?!?!?!?!?!? If you mean 68 dates perfectly legit on a 69, if you mean the two letter codes match 68 codes, then it's a mish-mash of parts. I had an Oct 68 built 69, so all dates were 68, but all codes were for the 69 production year.

 

I really do not think you have a "68". What is your vin number? Any 69 prior to vin 14500 will have 68 dated components as the final month serial of January was 14500 plus. The model year starts in August, and 69 production was really almost painless compared to 68 production. Lots of components were made in the latter half of 1968.

 

Posting the VIN would help.

Easiest way to tell the 68 from the 69 frame is to look for the diagonal frame gusset between the #3 crossmember and the rear wheel frame hoop (near the front trailing arm mount). 68's did not have this gusset.

 

69 frame has support pieces that are not on 68 frame, isn't that right?

 

The "69" type kickup frame was introduced at or by vin 24000 on the 68 production year. There were earlier cars that had it, earliest one spotted was in the 22900 serial block, with the body having a K 18 assembly date. June 18, 1968 for those counting. Problem is that the front of the 68 frame used different brackets than the 69 type. So the queston, and unfortunately a really hard to answer one is weather or not these were 68 frames with added braces and 68 bracketry up front or full 69 type frames with 69 front brackets attached? This has importance in how the radiator core support attaches as well as the bumper brackets, and anyone swapping a frame out of an early 68 knows that some of the other parts are not going to fit!

JOE

 

If I remember mine has that gusset.
I will slip out this after 7 have a look.
Thanks for the info boys

 

The build date on my 69 is Nov. 12, 1968. All the date codes are late October - early November 1968.

 

I'll chime in on that question. My '70 is actually two cars, a '70 front end and a '71 rear end. When I purchased the car 10 years ago I did my due diligence (I thought) and inspected the car with the knowledge I had at the time (and have learned a lot since). Long story short, I found out two years after owning the car and during the restoration process that the frame was spliced (about a foot in front of the seats) and welded back with plates reinforcing the welds. Now you’ll ask why I didn’t know that when I bought the car. Reason is that the splice is really not evident unless you look close....plus I was stupid for not seeing it. I found the second owner in Connecticut and called him and he said it was t-boned in an intersection early on in its life, probably early to mid ‘70’s. If it had happened later on, like in the ‘80’s, I would think it would have been totaled because then it would have been considered just "an old car". My VIN and engine are correct and the frame is the only thing that was repaired. Fortunately it aligned and I have had no problems with it. It's a story to tell at car shows (to my chagrin). And if I ever sell it...hopefully never....I'll pass that information along. I wish I could get in touch with the first owner...I'd like to know what actually happeded.

Anyway...that's my story and I'm sticking to it...