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No. Below is a copy of my posting in this thread. A little more than half got the F41 in 1969. Not sure about 67 and 68 production numbers but the same criteria applied as to which cars could get the option.
From post #7: The F41 package was NOT mandatory for the L71 but was only an OPTION for the L71 only. I believe it was a mandatory option on the L88. They made a total of 1661 cars with the F41 in 1969. They made a total of 2722 L71's. Obviously not every L71 got the F41.
All 427's received larger sway bars but that was NOT the F41 package. The F41 package consisted of different shocks and 7 leaf spring. Also the shock mounts were slightly different.
You could not order the F41 with any engine. Only as an option with the L71 and standard equipment with the L88.
so the F41 was just different shocks and a 7 leaf spring ?
An interesting thread. My April '68 L36 4 speed I believed was originally an F41 optioned car. After reading this thread I'm not so sure now.
It certainly has the 7 leaf rear spring, although when I decided to replace the rather front and rear sloppy shock absorbers I pulled a mix (front and rear) of Gabriel and Monroe shocks.
Perhaps I'll inspect the other 'clues' (rear shocker mounts and roll bar diameters). Oddy too perhaps some have told me the 3.08 rear end was never offered on a '68.........
update
Just inspected car - 5/8" rear - 9/16" sway bars. Looked at rear lower shock mounts and they don't appear to have a significant 'angle' compared against a horizontal datum point.
Last edited by roscobbc; Sep 14, 2025 at 07:35 AM.
An interesting thread. My April '68 L36 4 speed I believed was originally an F41 optioned car. After reading this thread I'm not so sure now.
It certainly has the 7 leaf rear spring, although when I decided to replace the rather front and rear sloppy shock absorbers I pulled a mix (front and rear) of Gabriel and Monroe shocks.
Perhaps I'll inspect the other 'clues' (rear shocker mounts and roll bar diameters). Oddy too perhaps some have told me the 3.08 rear end was never offered on a '68.........
update
Just inspected car - 5/8" rear - 9/16" sway bars. Looked at rear lower shock mounts and they don't appear to have a significant 'angle' compared against a horizontal datum point.
Many owners over the last 55+ or so years converted the cars to an F41 style suspension. With some or all the parts. The original parts needed to be replaced at some point and that’s what they put in. I have yet to see any non L71 or L88 original paperwork that had the F41 allowed to be ordered. In fact, there is a forum member who has a very original 69 L68 with some incredible documentation that shows GM DENIED the original owners request to have the F41 put on the car. Also, I have posted many times original Dealer Order forms from 68 and 69 that says right on the form that you can ONLY get F41 with the L71. (The L88 is not on the retail order forms)
With that said, I am open to the possibility that it could have happened from the factory (possibly dealer installed as they would do anything for money, so that doesn’t count as GM Factory) but it would be an extraordinary circumstance. As with extraordinary claims, it requires extraordinary proof. It would have to be documented on a genuine tank sticker, window sticker, etc.
I have never seen real paperwork yet it the last 40 years that supports it happened. If someone has one. Please post it.
Here is a comparison of the shock mounts/brackets.
Last edited by ed427vette; Sep 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM.
Great picture showing the difference in shock mounts.
Ed, you talk about only L71 (and of course L89) and L88 only being able to have the F41, but on my 68’ L89 I had the opposite thing happen.
My tank sticker shows F41, I have the 7 leaf spring, correct front coils ((the picture I posted is my 68), date correct F41 front shocks, and then the rear shocks are the correct date and assembly line part number non F41 shock.
It’s like they ran out of the F41 shocks or the assembly line guy grabbed the wrong set of shocks. Front F41 Rear non F41
That is unusual but I guess that can happen. I have seen what looks like original assembly not be what we “accept” as typical factory production on occasion. Human error is one thing to consider, but it’s very difficult if not impossible to document what happened at that time all these years later. I just know how they intended on building them based on how they were ordered and what GM allowed, based upon what reliable information is out there. That includes any research all of us have done over the years and the collective knowledge of the Corvette community and what genuine documentation we have to verify that information. Your F40 shocks could very well be assembly line installed. If any previous owner needed to replace the shock what are the chances he would replace it with a date coded correct F40 shock? So it seems the possibility of it being original is reasonable, even if it goes contrary to what we know.
Your F40 shocks could very well be assembly line installed. If any previous owner needed to replace the shock what are the chances he would replace it with a date coded correct F40 shock? So it seems the possibility of it being original is reasonable, even if it goes contrary to what we know.
Not just date correct, but correct assembly line part number.
The service replacement part number is different.
Thanks Ed for that clarification - for 25 years I've presumed the car had F41 spec' suspension (previous owner did too) - having said that when I decided to renew shockers a few years ago I was surprised the old shockers were very old aftermarket units (and not F41 spec'). The very noticeable difference in spring rates front and rear confused me too - the 7 leaf rear was close to immoveable even when pushing down really hard on the rear deck.........whereas the front-end seemed comparitively 'floaty' in comparison.
I will inspect the rear shocker brackets a little more carefully - the casting are certainly different in appearance.
The 68-74 BBs used the same choice of 3 front coil springs for all of those years.
No-A/C = 284# rate
A/C 325#
F41 550#
Best identified by spring tag code, or coil wire diameter measured with a digital caliper.
Jumping from the standard BB front spring, to the F41, is a whopping 90% increase, practically double.
All small blocks got a 7/8" front bar, and no rear.
All BBs got a 15/16" front and a 9/16" rear, regardless if std or F41.
No other spring or sway bar options during those years.
No SBs got the F41 springs & shocks except the ZR1s. And they report inconsistent sway bar sizes, and useage of a rear one, or not.
Last edited by leigh1322; Sep 16, 2025 at 12:07 AM.
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