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With only 4,355 out of 38,762 Corvettes in 1969 coming with side exhaust, I thought I remembered reading that it was an option offered later in production, around January 1969. Anybody have any info?
I have a big block '69 Vette, LeMans blue with side pipes. N14 option. Don't know about when N14 became available. Only offered in '69 though. Mine was built 6 NOV 69, toward the end of that production run.
My 69 was built Nov 68 with N14 as one of the options.
From everything I've read, the side pipes were not available until Jan 69. I have been asking owners of cars with original side pipes who have cars before Jan to please share any GM documentation. But so far, none have come through. Any chance you have any docs that show it is a genuine side pipe car and are willing to show them? Would love to see it.
My car was built Jan 11th and so far, its the earliest documented car I have seen with factory pipes. Below is my tank sticker along with a pic from under the rear deck with wax crayon marks 'N14'.
If I had any I'd be more that happy to post it. I wish I had the docs on the car- the second owner got it in 71 from the original owner, and lived next door to me. Back then, nobody had a clue the docs would be so important to today's value.
Ed
Do you have any information as to when option N14 was no longer offered? I heard no cars came with it when production resumed after the strike. My car is probably one of the last to get them with a build date of April 7th.
Dennis
Ed
Do you have any information as to when option N14 was no longer offered? I heard no cars came with it when production resumed after the strike. My car is probably one of the last to get them with a build date of April 7th.
Dennis
Hello Dennis,
I have to go through some of my paperwork but I'm pretty sure there were cars after the strike that had clear documentation that I have copies of. I'll look later today and post what I have.
Hi Ed,
The new edition of the 68-69 TIM&JG mentions car SN 9320... an early-ish December 68 car.
Are you familiar with that one?
Regards,
Alan
Hello Alan,
I'm not familiar with 9320. If its in the JG then its probably good to go. Ill make a note of that vin to look further on it. I had heard there were some earlier cars but I haven't seen any other except for one car I thought I saw last year that had VIN number 710???. It had a beat up window sticker but it looked genuine from what I remember. And of course I can't find a pic of it. Thought I saved it.
I also heard there were some very early pilot cars. These were supposedly built sometime in the first few months. But I haven't found anything solid on them yet.
Last edited by ed427vette; Sep 23, 2017 at 09:31 AM.
Mine's close - built on January 20th. Unfortunately I don't have the tank sticker but here's a pic of the luggage stop:
That's a great pic. Does the "397" line up with your VIN? I have "400" under my rear deck but my VIN is 712871. As I've said before the written body numbers do not usually line up with the VIN. I'm just curious about yours. That's the first one I've seem that is in that location. Very interesting.
I am the second owner of my 69 L46 with side exhaust. Car was built first week of August of 69. I have pictures from back in the day (in 69) with the side exhaust on it. Still remains today. The car is extremely original. I have a (very) partial tank sticker and the word "exhaust" is clearly on it. I assume there was no other "exhaust" option that year right?
BTW, I do not see any chalk N14 under the glass though.
Hi Ed,
Are you saying you're not seeing the job# on the seat bulkhead… or on THAT SIDE of the bulkheads?
Regards,
Alan
Hello Alan,
I have myself only pulled out one full interior on a Corvette, so I have not seen many untouched original floorboards. My 69 coupe (not a side pipe car) didnt have anything written anywhere I could see on the floorboards. There was plenty of original overspray body paint but that was it. It does have the job number on the back of the bulkhead in front of the gas tank. So whenever I see pictures like those I try to take note. I really like seeing those type pictures.
Ed
A original 69 side exhaust car ist just really cool... I wish that mine would be one, but it is not. it is a 71'. As much as i would like to have a side exhaust, I leave it stock because thats the way it was made. Ofcourse I upgraded the tubing size ... But original side exhaust is super cool, along with the 68/69 side louvers and not stock mud flap Fenders... I wish my 71 would be like a 69 But I tried to make it look as good as I could for a 71'
my vin ends in 22920 . I have completely stripped the interior and underneath and no more chalk writing.
Look at that! That's great!
I may have to peel back my carpet tomorrow on my side exhaust car. I already have the seats out right now so it will not be hard to do.
69 side exhaust
... But original side exhaust is super cool, along with the 68/69 side louvers and not stock mud flap Fenders... I wish my 71 would be like a 69 
But I tried to make it look as good as I could for a 71' 
