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There were no Automatics put behind the L71 in 1968
There were orders for 255 special High Performance higher revving M40’s in 1969 which is what the L71 received when ordering an automatic. These differed from the standard M40 put in the rest of the corvettes. However, that 255 number might include along with the L71’s all the L88’s in 1969 as well. So the number might be 255 minus the 15 or so put in the L88/ZL1’s. That’s the closest you can get to an accurate count until more reliable or specific information is found.
255 is the GM production number for L71 and L89 automatic cars combined. There were 15 M40 L88 cars produced as long as we believe that the 69 production records are accurate. There are questions surrounding the production records form Sept 69-Dec 69.
255 is the GM production number for L71 and L89 automatic cars combined. There were 15 M40 L88 cars produced as long as we believe that the 69 production records are accurate. There are questions surrounding the production records form Sept 69-Dec 69.
I held that letter in my hands about 45 years ago. It came with the documentation for a very low mileage 1969 L-71/M-40 car (no radio)… Car was featured in the May 1982 issue of Vette Magazine.
I believe that letter was sent to the owner of the red coupe, vin ending in 703632. I believe that car had about 22,000 miles on it last I had seen it maybe 10 years ago?
Although the letter does state 255 specifically with the L71, I believe they used the total production number of the high output M40 not taking into account the L88 cars also receiving the special trans.
Here is why I think that.
It’s just a theory. As you know, in no other engine option for the 69 can they tell you how many autos came with that particular engine option. The reason? All engine options received the same standard M40 throughout the line. They can give you the numbers for all M40’s ordered. But just not how many for each engine. Except the L71. The reason? The L71 got a different M40, therefore a different order code which is trackable in production. But if that is the case, then it’s production for ALL the special M40’s. It’s unlikely they would have distinguished between the L88 and L71 with regard to how many were ordered to be put in cars. And of course nobody can confirm anything anymore so it’s just a speculation. Add to that the confusing L88 automatic production estimates. In any event, if it’s not exact, it’s close. And not many. As well as including all L89’s which is another extrapolated number I think put at 39? by DKM’s L89 Registry’s predecessor.
I believe that letter was sent to the owner of the red coupe, vin ending in 703632. I believe that car had about 22,000 miles on it last I had seen it maybe 10 years ago?
Ed,
That car had around 19,000 miles when I saw it in 1982. It was purchased in 1982 (either right before the article appeared or very shortly after) by John Greenhoe which is where I saw the documents. John, at one point in time, had the finest collection of 1969 435hp cars (L-71s and L-89s) you would ever find… Maybe 10 to 12 of them, all low mileage, original cars. He had a bunch of other neat cars too… An 8,000 mile 1967 L-71, a 23,000 mile 1970 LT-1 convertible with every option you could order on that car, a 12,000 mile 1972 LT-1/C-60 car, and even some really cool non-Corvette stuff like a 44,000 mile 1969 L-89 Chevelle. He was always able to find amazing cars.
Although the letter does state 255 specifically with the L71, I believe they used the total production number of the high output M40 not taking into account the L88 cars also receiving the special trans.
Here is why I think that.
It’s just a theory. As you know, in no other engine option for the 69 can they tell you how many autos came with that particular engine option. The reason? All engine options received the same standard M40 throughout the line. They can give you the numbers for all M40’s ordered. But just not how many for each engine. Except the L71. The reason? The L71 got a different M40, therefore a different order code which is trackable in production. But if that is the case, then it’s production for ALL the special M40’s. It’s unlikely they would have distinguished between the L88 and L71 with regard to how many were ordered to be put in cars. And of course nobody can confirm anything anymore so it’s just a speculation. Add to that the confusing L88 automatic production estimates. In any event, if it’s not exact, it’s close. And not many. As well as including all L89’s which is another extrapolated number I think put at 39? by DKM’s L89 Registry’s predecessor.
I would agree with your assessment. The only way that GM would know is by the ECL codes for the CY transmissions… They wouldn’t have been able to break it down any farther, so that would include all L-71s, L-71/L-89s, L-88s, and L-88/ZL-1s. I talked to Kevin C. Many years ago and we figured maybe 35 as the number for L-89/M-40 cars… So 39 is certainly in the ballpark. Kevin used to own a 1969 Fathom green L-89/M-40 coupe in addition to the 1969 Monza red L-89/M-21 coupe that he sold to Jonathan (DKM-106). I had a chance to buy that car and passed… Another brilliant move on my part!
That car had around 19,000 miles when I saw it in 1982. It was purchased in 1982 (either right before the article appeared or very shortly after) by John Greenhoe which is where I saw the documents. John, at one point in time, had the finest collection of 1969 435hp cars (L-71s and L-89s) you would ever find… Maybe 10 to 12 of them, all low mileage, original cars. He had a bunch of other neat cars too… An 8,000 mile 1967 L-71, a 23,000 mile 1970 LT-1 convertible with every option you could order on that car, a 12,000 mile 1972 LT-1/C-60 car, and even some really cool non-Corvette stuff like a 44,000 mile 1969 L-89 Chevelle. He was always able to find amazing cars.
I would agree with your assessment. The only way that GM would know is by the ECL codes for the CY transmissions… They wouldn’t have been able to break it down any farther, so that would include all L-71s, L-71/L-89s, L-88s, and L-88/ZL-1s. I talked to Kevin C. Many years ago and we figured maybe 35 as the number for L-89/M-40 cars… So 39 is certainly in the ballpark. Kevin used to own a 1969 Fathom green L-89/M-40 coupe in addition to the 1969 Monza red L-89/M-21 coupe that he sold to Jonathan (DKM-106). I had a chance to buy that car and passed… Another brilliant move on my part!
Good stuff Ed!
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Hello Stan,
Yeah, I guessed at 39 from memory but I remember getting that number from whatever Kevin said it was. I was on the ledge of buying the Silver/gunmetal L89 coupe Auto N14 car with the factory ground out pad he sold to either TG or GB, I forget which. Had no place to put it…..
Hello Stan,
Yeah, I guessed at 39 from memory but I remember getting that number from whatever Kevin said it was. I was on the ledge of buying the Silver/gunmetal L89 coupe Auto N14 car with the factory ground out pad he sold to either TG or GB, I forget which. Had no place to put it…..
Ed,
I completely forgot about the silver car. I talked to Kevin about buying it as well… Too many projects on my end. Terry bought the car, Gary is restoring it.
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