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I just today picked up a nice set of NOS 69 side exhaust covers. They are complete except for the insulators. Is there a date code on these? From the boxes and packing they appear to have been shipped from Eckler's in April of 1979.
FWIW: if they are in Eckler's boxes, they likely to be Eckler reproductions and not NOS.
The main covers are in GM boxes. The ends were all in one box together, but the packing has the same dates on it. The part numbers are as follows:
3948021 LH
3948022 RH
3948024 RH
3948023 LH
3948020
3948030 (The last 3 on this one is upside down and backwards)
FWIW: if they are in Eckler's boxes, they likely to be Eckler reproductions and not NOS.
Most of the bigger dealers were selling GM side exhaust kits back then. I remember buying 69 pipes and covers for $200.00 complete and they came in GM boxes.
Hi 50,
It sounds like you have shields that were originally purchased as Service Replacement parts.
They aren't "Eckler reproductions". The only company that has reproduced the shields is Paragon Corvette Reproductions. They bought the original tooling to do so, but I'm not sure just when….I think later than 1979.
Here are a couple of photos of shields bought 'over the counter' in 1971 for you to compare yours to.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Bryan,
That would indicate to me that they were originally made for Chevrolet.
My first photo shows the 2 holes in the center section. The way they're drilled they are distinct right and left (can't be interchanged right to left).
Are yours that way too?
Regards,
Alan
Interestingly, the holes on mine are both in the same location, but the part numbers are definitely different on them. 3948020 and 3948030. The GM part numbers on the boxes are both 3948020. The boxes are taped together though, so the dealer could have just swapped them out for shipping.
Hi 50,
The pictures certainly seem to show the originals.
Are the center sections drilled so that one is is a right and one is a left?
The holes should be toward the rear on each side.
Regards,
Alan
I just went out to the garage and looked at my old ones and the holes are drilled on opposite ends. So, it looks like the new set, even though the part numbers are different, have the holes drilled in both covers for a RH application. Oh well. Fortunately the bolt spacing for the insulator shields seems to be the same for both sides. Did the mis-marking just make them more valuable?
Hi 50,
There's been discussion about the 2 holes, that's why I asked.
Some center sections have been seen with holes drilled to make them EITHER a left or right but center sections…. but sections have been seen with holes at BOTH ends which makes it work for either side.
I don't know when the sections drilled at both ends appeared or even if they're Chevrolet made parts.
It's really the condition of the chrome plating that will determine the value of the shields you have.
Regards,
Alan
The chrome is really in surprisingly good condition on all the pieces. There are some places that I would consider factory defects where it looks like the pieces that were chromed had some minor imperfections in the metal. You have to be looking hard to see them. One of the exhaust ends has two very small pinhead sized places where it looks like the chrome may have popped a little, but again, that could be a factory defect. The guy that I bought them from had them stored in his attic and had actually forgotten about them till he went there looking for something else. He said he used to periodically spray them with WD-40 to prevent moisture getting to them. They showed up on Craigslist Monday evening and I went and bought them Tuesday morning. I spent a few minutes last night polishing them up just to make sure what I had purchased and I am very pleased with them. Honestly, I am thinking they may be too nice for my car. Mine is an L-48 73 coupe. Nothing special and I am building it to be a driver.
This is the worst spot on all of the pieces. The left side exhaust tip. It looks like there could be a little popping of the chrome. The other places appear to be factory defects where there is some very slight markings in the chrome, but the chrome is intact. I didn't spend a lot of time cleaning them last night. I think some of those tiny black flecks may clean up better with a little more rubbing.
Are the side exhaust covers date coded?
