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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 12:52 PM
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Default 69 early or mid/late

My 69 has a born on date of March 28, 1969. I need to buy a weather strip kit and need to know if it is considered "early" or "late" model. Most model changes happen mid year so I was thinking it is a "late" but need to know before I order.

Thanks,
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 01:34 PM
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It would be better to post this type of question over on the 'Technical Discussion Board' at the NCRS.org website.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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1969's were built from Sept. 68 - Dec. 69 (16 months). March 1969 could be considered either early or mid.

Early or late is a relative term based on when a particular component changed.

If component #1 changed after VIN 5000, 1-4999 would be early.
If component #2 changed after VIN 10,000, 1-9999 would be early for component #2.

You would need to determine when the weather strip kit was changed to determine if your VIN is early or late.

If you want to know more about your 69, I recommend the NCRS 1968-1969 Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide. http://www.ncrs.org/shop/index.php?m...cbf58f78225d60

Last edited by Revi; Sep 5, 2013 at 02:06 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 69schemers
Most model changes happen mid year so I was thinking it is a "late" but need to know before I order.

Thanks,
Component changes happened throughout the model year so labelling an entire car as early/late is pointless.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:04 PM
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I am replacing the weatherstrip and need to know for that purpose. Not concerned about the rest of the car at this point.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 69schemers
I am replacing the weatherstrip and need to know for that purpose. Not concerned about the rest of the car at this point.
Judging from your lack of interest I'm sure any weather strip kit will do.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:14 PM
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I'm not sure there were any major weatherstrip changes for 69. I would contact the vendor and ask what is considered "early" and what would be "late."

Original weatherstripping was latex rubber. You want to ensure your replacement kit is also latex rubber.

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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:23 PM
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Most suppliers have a help line and can figure it out by your serial number. My '80 was made in April but by the serial number it was considered "early" depending on the parts I needed when I was fixing the interior electrical stuff.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:25 PM
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wow Revi, good one.
To give a little history. I have been working on this basket case for the past 20 years. Never drove the car and most of the pieces came in a box. Took the body off and disassembled everything. had the frame and suspension components acid dipped to remove rust and repainted and assembled with the addition to adding a T-56, hydraulic clutch, hydro boost, ect.. This is an on going project and at this point I hope to get the car done before I get to old to drive it.

When I look at the wilcox weatherstrip options they list an early and late year change. my vin ends in 20273
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:27 PM
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I did send Wilcox an email two weeks ago with out getting a response. I guess I will give them a call this time.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:40 PM
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with that vin # that would not be consider a early car
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:49 PM
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Hi 69,
Dr. Rebuild lists this information about 69 weatherstrip:
Early 69 is to about Nov. 22 1968
Mid 69 is from Nov.22 to about Feb. 22 1969
Late 69 is after about Feb.22 1969.
I believe the rear door glass strip, (lock pillar), configuration changed at these points in time but I'm not sure just what, (if anything), else did. The difference has to do with the shape of the bottom of the strip. His catalogue has 3 nice drawings of the differences.
I'd say your car likely would have had the 3rd version.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 5, 2013 at 02:51 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:49 PM
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Just got off the phone with Wilcox. Being the car was built in the 7th month (March) of production, it should use the "late" model weatherstrip.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:54 PM
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Thank you Alan,

That is exactly what I was looking for when I first posted the question. and it is the lock pillar weatherstrip that was my concern. My car is a convertible and they only have two versions of that weatherstrip, early and late. The coupes had three.

Thank you again,
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 02:58 PM
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Hi,
My understanding is:
A part could change on the second day of prediction and only 1 day's worth of production would be EARLY and the rest would be LATE.
A part could change on the next to the last day of production and all cars except the last day's production would be EARLY and the last day's production would be LATE.
There's a difference in early and late CARS, and early and late PARTS, on cars.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 03:02 PM
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That is why in my original post I pointed out the reason for my post was that I looking to buy a weatherstrip. I did not mean my post to be considered as a whole car or every part question.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 69schemers
That is why in my original post I pointed out the reason for my post was that I looking to buy a weatherstrip. I did not mean my post to be considered as a whole car or every part question.
It was this erroneous assumption that got people going I think.

Originally Posted by 69schemers
Most model changes happen mid year
My car was built only a few weeks before the end of the production year yet featured an early intake manifold but late front grill combo.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 07:25 PM
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Now that You have been forced into caring about Your cars build date You might want to know that Your car was produced shortly before the April Strike. If Your Car had a production issue and was pulled off the line for any reason there is a small chance that it could of got stuck on the line till the strike ended. If so It could of ended up with a mix of so called early and late parts on board. Weather Strips included.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Gale Banks 80'
If so It could of ended up with a mix of so called early and late parts on board. Weather Strips included.
Why?
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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 07:37 AM
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If my car did get stuck on the line due to its late march build date, I don't see how it would end up with early production 69 year parts. Most likely, the car may have received early 1970 parts which would still be "late" 69 weatherstriping.

At any rate, I will be ordering the "late" model weatherstriping and go from there. Looking at old posts, it seems Corvette Rubber Co. has the best product.
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