Identify Early/Mid/Late 1969
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Identify Early/Mid/Late 1969
OK - I give up - I have looked in all my books.... 
How do you Identify Early/Mid/Late 1969 models.
I wonder if there is even a clear cutoff point between the 3.
How do you Identify Early/Mid/Late 1969 models.
I wonder if there is even a clear cutoff point between the 3.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 411
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From: Arvada CO
I think the general response on this issue is the usual project mgmt answer... "It depends"... It depends on what pieces and parts were probably left over in the factory when changes were introduced... My 69 is a Oct 68 build vin but I'm sure I have pieces and parts that are interchangable.
Example-I know I had to order a 69 'early' weatherstip due to the body pillar being different.
Example-I know I had to order a 69 'early' weatherstip due to the body pillar being different.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Exacry..... So - although one can estimate what 'phase' their car might have been produced or classified in - actuality is - you never really know for sure.
That being the case - is there any hard dates or serial numbers that indicate at least the general classifications of early / mid / late ?
So - although one can estimate what 'phase' their car might have been produced or classified in - actuality is - you never really know for sure.That being the case - is there any hard dates or serial numbers that indicate at least the general classifications of early / mid / late ?
Last edited by kaiserbud; Mar 3, 2005 at 06:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: PA
Engine-Block casting number can indicate
1969
Cast#(last3) Description
386...............very early 350
388...............?
618...............mid 350
010...............late 350
439...............very early 427
270...............mid 427
512...............late 427
052...............ZL1 aluminum block
1969
Cast#(last3) Description
386...............very early 350
388...............?
618...............mid 350
010...............late 350
439...............very early 427
270...............mid 427
512...............late 427
052...............ZL1 aluminum block
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
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From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
I have a mid. I have a 386 block number. Metal triangular vent ***** instead of the earlier black plastic ones. Coffee can actuator instead of the later pie pan one. Leather shift boot rather than the earlier rubber one. White plastic shields under the firewall-floorpan junction rather than the black ones. There is no clear cut off date for production times for parts as far as I know. I think it depended on which parts the assembly line ran out of. When they ran out of an old part, they started putting on a new part. Thus you have a jumble of early, mid, and late cars, with a lot of cars getting a hodgepodge of parts.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Thanks for the input - So I understand the situation and parts being used until out of stock.
But how do I determine (in this case) which weatherstrip kit is appropriate for my car built in early August 1969. As I understand it - there are 3 kits - and I realize that mine must be either a mid or late. Thanks for the advice
But how do I determine (in this case) which weatherstrip kit is appropriate for my car built in early August 1969. As I understand it - there are 3 kits - and I realize that mine must be either a mid or late. Thanks for the advice
Last edited by kaiserbud; Mar 3, 2005 at 11:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
This would work if I had all 3 sets of stripping in front of me to review. Also - some of the weatherstripping is pretty frayed or even 2-3 inches broken off the end - that could be the identifiable characteristic on the weatherstrip. It sounds easy - but that approach won't work.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
That's not necessarily true. It can indeed matter. In fact - that is most likely why they updated the weatherstripping - to either correct a flaw (leaks) or to adapt to new associated parts. Either way - I will be putting WAY too much work into my car to have wind / water leaks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
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I have a '69 with a '512 big block that was cast in Dec '69 in a car built in Jan '69. I have a mix of parts as well. Some early, some late. I believe I am correct in saying that '69 had a longer production run also.
I had heard that a rough interpretation is that early means anything before Dec '68. Never heard of a "mid", just early and late.
Regards, Mark
I had heard that a rough interpretation is that early means anything before Dec '68. Never heard of a "mid", just early and late.
Regards, Mark
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Upstate South Carolina
Originally Posted by kaiserbud
That's not necessarily true. It can indeed matter. In fact - that is most likely why they updated the weatherstripping - to either correct a flaw (leaks) or to adapt to new associated parts. Either way - I will be putting WAY too much work into my car to have wind / water leaks.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
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From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Originally Posted by mstanton
Then buy the late.
The quote above is exactly why I am trying to find out what I need - this is why the small details get overlooked so often when someone says ..."well just.... " Nope - not me - I want the right one - not just a guess.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
My 69 is a late August 69 built car. Has some "early" and some "late" items. It a pretty original car, and scores 97-98% at NCRS events. I'll shoot some pictures of items for you if you would like them.
I have the so called "late" door jamb weatherstrip...with the plastic wedge. Get hold of the NCRS JG. Even if you're not into NCRS, it's got great info as to early/late, transitions, etc.
Also, Rick Bizocco's 69 Corvette Stingray Guidebook is terrific, but is now out of print, and tough to find. It runs about $70.00 when you can find one. Chuck
I have the so called "late" door jamb weatherstrip...with the plastic wedge. Get hold of the NCRS JG. Even if you're not into NCRS, it's got great info as to early/late, transitions, etc.
Also, Rick Bizocco's 69 Corvette Stingray Guidebook is terrific, but is now out of print, and tough to find. It runs about $70.00 when you can find one. Chuck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
You can buy the 68-69 NCRS Judging Guide just by going to www.ncrs.org Point and click your way to the "store". Chuck
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Long Grove, IL
Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
Also, Rick Bizocco's 69 Corvette Stingray Guidebook is terrific, but is now out of print, and tough to find. It runs about $70.00 when you can find one. Chuck
Regards,
Jay
Race Director
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Originally Posted by griffths
I looked high and low and finially found that the Guidebook is available from Corvette Central. The CC part number for the book is 113028
Regards,
Jay
Regards,
Jay
