69 clip on a 71
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
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From: Sacramento CA
69 clip on a 71
I decided to replace my front clip on my 71.. Mine was a victim of very shoddy work and I think a new one will actually be less work to get right. I want to put a 69 clip on it. I just like the vents much better. It looks like the lower valence is the same, so my grills should work. As far as I can tell, it is a bolt on, er bond on. I know one difference is the 71 had more flare to the wheel wells.. Is there any other idfferences I should know about? Am I wrong to assume this will fit as good as a 71 clip would? Any issues using with 71 inner fenders?
Save comments about originality. :) If I cared I wouldn't consider it in the first place. My only concerns is having people always tell me I have a 69 instead of a 71.. Thanks
Save comments about originality. :) If I cared I wouldn't consider it in the first place. My only concerns is having people always tell me I have a 69 instead of a 71.. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: 69 clip on a 71 (Weird Science)
If I'm not mistaken, the front bumper braces and outer extensions changed between 69-70. Same goes for the front bumper itself and the bumperettes. Are you planning to retain the egg-crate front grilles or are you switching to the '69 style there as well? The inner fenders should be the same. The front side-marker lights are different, the '69 uses a smaller recessed marker light where the 70+ has a larger unit that mounts flush to the panel.
Why not try this route: Find a good '71 front clip and replace yours with a correct unit. Then find some lower fenders from a 68/69 and cut out the "gills". Clean up the "gill" panels and cut them to fit in the holes where the egg crate grilles are supposed to go. Fab up some mounting braces and attach the painted gill inserts in the original holes of the '71 clip. Then you could have the '69 side appearance without doing any major changes that are hard to correct later.
Shannon
Why not try this route: Find a good '71 front clip and replace yours with a correct unit. Then find some lower fenders from a 68/69 and cut out the "gills". Clean up the "gill" panels and cut them to fit in the holes where the egg crate grilles are supposed to go. Fab up some mounting braces and attach the painted gill inserts in the original holes of the '71 clip. Then you could have the '69 side appearance without doing any major changes that are hard to correct later.
Shannon
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Re: 69 clip on a 71 (sb69coupe)
Thanks.. That's the type of feedback I was looking for. I plan to use all 71 parts like bumper extensions, grill etc.. So, even with the changes will the 71 parts not work if I use 71 extensions, grill, etc?
I like your idea though... Something to think about.
I like your idea though... Something to think about.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,183
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
Re: 69 clip on a 71 (Weird Science)
I met a guy who had done what sb69 is talking about. He told me he had condidered doing the same as you but ended up just glassing in the gills from a 69. He said that too many things would not have fit or lined up if he did the whole swap. I also like the idea and agree on the gills looking nicer. Good luck! :)
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Re: 69 clip on a 71 (litevette)
Hey Ken,
I agree the '69 gills are much better looking. I bought a '64 a few years ago and the previous owner had done just that. He preferred the '65/'66 gills so he just cut the lower rear panel off and glassed in the later style. I dug it, but yes, I had to put up with every toothless hayseed that ever picked up a Hot Rod magazine (for the pictures) telling me I was wrong about what year my own car was! :crazy:
I say go for it, it'll be unique and it's yours.
I agree the '69 gills are much better looking. I bought a '64 a few years ago and the previous owner had done just that. He preferred the '65/'66 gills so he just cut the lower rear panel off and glassed in the later style. I dug it, but yes, I had to put up with every toothless hayseed that ever picked up a Hot Rod magazine (for the pictures) telling me I was wrong about what year my own car was! :crazy:
I say go for it, it'll be unique and it's yours.
