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Hello everyone. New member here and I just picked up a project. It's a 1969 convertible corvette, stock motor and tranny, 4 spd 350. It has a custom interior and front clip. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about it or has seen it before. Hood goes all the way up to windshield, no chrome front bumper. Seems to all be one piece.
Car was sitting in a garage for 25+ years so original owner is no longer around and trying to figure it out.
Thanks!!
Last edited by Pmccooey; Feb 26, 2017 at 06:00 PM.
Reason: Add photo
It looks like a 1973 or newer clip that someone took the rubber bumper off and did some custom glass work working in the spoiler. Side vents are stock 1973 and newer and see you also have a rear spoiler as well.
I am just guessing but maybe wrecked at one time and put back together in what would be an early Resto Mod done in a garage somewhere and forgotten as time went by.
I agree most times back in the day when c3s got different clips it was because they were wrecked, far cheaper easier to place the newer plastic one piece clips or even just the plastic bumpers on the chrome bumper cars,
However,
In some cases like mine the car was a rich kids toy and he wanted the newer look so they did it to a nice car
I haven't seen any signs of an accident. I'll get it up on the lift this week and take a good look. Yes back has the spoiler done to it. The wheel wells flares seem bigger also, not sure.
My plan on buying it was to pull the body, pull engine and tranny and save, drop in a crate engine and 5 or 6 speed, replace interior, and get it painted another color. I'm wondering now if all this custom work will make pulling the body off even more complicated?
Hi Pm,
Welcome!
Looking at the inside of the clip in the wheel-wells and especially in the headlight/ grill/ bumper area will probably tell you pretty quickly if it's a modified original front clip or an aftermarket clip of some kind.
(The lower area of the 'grill' opening seems to be set up for 68- 69 style chrome trim, and the original lower valance seems to be there.)
Regards,
Alan
I agree most times back in the day when c3s got different clips it was because they were wrecked, far cheaper easier to place the newer plastic one piece clips or even just the plastic bumpers on the chrome bumper cars,
However,
In some cases like mine the car was a rich kids toy and he wanted the newer look so they did it to a nice car
Well that would also make sense seeing the custom seats, wire Wheels and the Pearl in the paint....It is a shame he didn't appreciate what he had and left it a lone.
I suppose you could start looking for a 68 correct clip but the chrome bumpers are going to be spendy....Or you can look at it like you have a blank canvass for a Resto Mod Vette and have something totally different.
It looks like they left the 69 style side marker lights which usually indicates the front end was just modified and not replaced. Or at the very least not badly damaged. It may not have been wrecked, just modded up a little with 73 parts.
Also when you look under at your pic that goes lower on the nose, you can see the holes in the lower front grill that housed the chrome surrounds found on the chrome nose car. Not a feature of the 73 and up rubber nose. That kinda seals the deal for me that its probably just a mod not a modded repair.
I wonder if a 69 chrome bumper would mount up to it?
I think it might have been some rich kid just going bigger and better. Trim tag shows black vinyl interior. The custom intrerioir was changed to white leather with red carpet. Seats look like stock frame with new plush white leather as well as everything else changed over to white inside.
It looks like they left the 69 style side marker lights which usually indicates the front end was just modified and not replaced. Or at the very least not badly damaged. It may not have been wrecked, just modded up a little with 73 parts.
Also when you look under at your pic that goes lower on the nose, you can see the holes in the lower front grill that housed the chrome surrounds found on the chrome nose car. Not a feature of the 73 and up rubber nose. That kinda seals the deal for me that its probably just a mod not a modded repair.
Mine was a hodgepodge of 69 parts and the 73 modded clip, mine wasnt done factory behind the scenes
I wonder if a 69 chrome bumper would mount up to it?
If yours is a 69 that`s been modified.... they remved, or glassed over... the little "step" along the front ridge to where the chrome bumper would mount. This picture is an original 71 front clip, but your 69 should have the same ridge.
As mentioned above, you`ll likely need to spend some time underneath to see what it looks like from the bottom, before you can really know what you`ll have to do to get it back where you want it.
I think I'll be leaving this clip on it as long as all is good. Would like the chrome bumper if it would fit. Also the 69 had the canopy door for wipers, This one has it removed with the hood being one piece all the way up to the windshield. The cowl section is in the hood over the windshield wiper 'box' area.
Hopefully you are going to dump the Opel GT Rally mirrors and give the Chrome Chain Link steering wheel to the next Rat Rod guy you see.
Karsten
I had an opel in high school, i recall flat bodied round mirrors, but if the go to hell chain wheel isnt a dinky one and not all rusted i will give you the wheel out of my 69 for it....
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Help identifying front clip on 1969 convertible
