I feel ridiculous asking this .................
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 35
From: Bedford Mass
I feel ridiculous asking this .................
Because I bought these cars brand new when I was a kid and worked at
a Chevy dealer, but does anyone know if any records exist at Chevrolet
for the C3 vettes. I bought brand new 74,75, and several 76's and 77 vettes
when I was much younger. Now that I just bought a '77 L-82
4 speed, I'm wondering what might be available for documentation.
I'll be dropping the tank to search for the build-sheet, but before I get to
that it would be nice to see if anything still existed....
Thanks for listening to my rant.....
Mark B. :seeya
[Modified by ZR-1 Mark, 8:07 AM 6/19/2003]
a Chevy dealer, but does anyone know if any records exist at Chevrolet
for the C3 vettes. I bought brand new 74,75, and several 76's and 77 vettes
when I was much younger. Now that I just bought a '77 L-82
4 speed, I'm wondering what might be available for documentation.
I'll be dropping the tank to search for the build-sheet, but before I get to
that it would be nice to see if anything still existed....
Thanks for listening to my rant.....
Mark B. :seeya
[Modified by ZR-1 Mark, 8:07 AM 6/19/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (Marks69BB)
Unfortunately, unless the car was sold in Canada there are no records for our cars. :cry
Hope you find that build sheet! :yesnod:
Hope you find that build sheet! :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this .................
Because I bought these cars brand new when I was a kid and worked at a Chevy dealer, but does anyone know if any records exist at Chevrolet for the C3 vettes.
Hang in there a few more months...
While there is nothing currently available in the way of Chevrolet vehicle records, my understanding is that records have been located and efforts are currently underway to organize them into some format where they can be made available to the public.
The gentleman in charge of this project, Jim Mattison, is responsible for setting up the Pontiac Historical Service (a vehicle record/data clearing house for Pontiacs)... I imagine the format for the Chevrolet records will foll a similar format.
Jim Mattison also has a really slick 1969 L-88 coupe for sale on this forum... Definitely worth checking it out in the "For Sale" section.
I'm partial to your ZR-1 too... It looks fantastic! I'd love to find a nice yellow ZR-1 to run around in.
Regards,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,752
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (ZR-1 Mark)
Everything from St. Louis is gone. If you have an '81-Present, you're fine, but sadly we have nothing for our cars. I called to get a restoration package from GM, but it never came. Does anyone still have that number???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (ZR-1 Mark)
Mark,
I was lucky enough to find the tank sticker on my wife's 79. However it also for the most part was unreadable. The one area that was readable was the name of the ordering dealier. I did find out they are still in business and contacted them I spoke with the owner who is semi-retired. He has kept a log book of every car they have sold through the years. He also managed to find the orginal factory order invoice. He made me a copy. It has all the option information on it. Rumors have it that build information has been found by the General. Through the Museum you can get build sheets on cars built in Bowling Green. Maybe in a few months they will be able to expand that to some if not all the cars built in St. Louis. I am looking for digital copies of build sheets that I can use to make duplicate build sheets The problem with most I have seen is that when people scan them the pre-printed detail gets lost on the fine print in the boxes. The other thing is that i don't know is how many different sheet layouts GM used throught the years. Good Luck with your search you might check under the carpet under the passengers seat for a second copy of the build sheet.
I was lucky enough to find the tank sticker on my wife's 79. However it also for the most part was unreadable. The one area that was readable was the name of the ordering dealier. I did find out they are still in business and contacted them I spoke with the owner who is semi-retired. He has kept a log book of every car they have sold through the years. He also managed to find the orginal factory order invoice. He made me a copy. It has all the option information on it. Rumors have it that build information has been found by the General. Through the Museum you can get build sheets on cars built in Bowling Green. Maybe in a few months they will be able to expand that to some if not all the cars built in St. Louis. I am looking for digital copies of build sheets that I can use to make duplicate build sheets The problem with most I have seen is that when people scan them the pre-printed detail gets lost on the fine print in the boxes. The other thing is that i don't know is how many different sheet layouts GM used throught the years. Good Luck with your search you might check under the carpet under the passengers seat for a second copy of the build sheet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (Glutamine83)
I've read about it on this forum but don't have the details. Do a search on it. I'm sure some of your countrymen know and will chime in.
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Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (e3pres)
E3pres,
Follow this link for the number and other GM restoration package info.
<A HREF="http://corvetteactioncenter.com/infosearch/index.php?cmd=area" TARGET="_blank">http://corvetteactioncenter.com/infosearch/index.php?cmd=area</a>
CVT4ME
Follow this link for the number and other GM restoration package info.
<A HREF="http://corvetteactioncenter.com/infosearch/index.php?cmd=area" TARGET="_blank">http://corvetteactioncenter.com/infosearch/index.php?cmd=area</a>
CVT4ME
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 35
From: Bedford Mass
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (CVT4ME)
Rowdy Rat and friends,
Thanks for the immediate response. As soon as anyone knows anything
definite about this, I would really appreciate an e-mail back.
Having this stuff is very cool, and although the '77 is simply an L-82 4 speed,
gymkhana, no a/c coupe, how many were there ???? I know for a fact the
'77 I bought new in 1977 had a bad vibration in the engine, and it was
replaced under warranty by Chevy. How many have their original drivetrain?
As the years go by, less and less will surface.
I purchased the car from a guy on the Forum here last week. :yesnod:
Thanks again for all the help :cheers:
Mark B.
Thanks for the immediate response. As soon as anyone knows anything
definite about this, I would really appreciate an e-mail back.
Having this stuff is very cool, and although the '77 is simply an L-82 4 speed,
gymkhana, no a/c coupe, how many were there ???? I know for a fact the
'77 I bought new in 1977 had a bad vibration in the engine, and it was
replaced under warranty by Chevy. How many have their original drivetrain?
As the years go by, less and less will surface.
I purchased the car from a guy on the Forum here last week. :yesnod:
Thanks again for all the help :cheers:
Mark B.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (Rowdy Rat)
So Chevy Corvette production records have been found? For pre-1981 cars? This is huge news...why haven't I seen more of this? Any more details on this at all?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
Chevrolet Vehicle Records
So Chevy Corvette production records have been found? For pre-1981 cars? This is huge news...why haven't I seen more of this? Any more details on this at all?
My understanding is that this has been an ongoing project for Jim Mattison's company for a while now. I have posted bits and pieces of the story as I became aware of it over the past year... Surprisingly, the threads died off rather quickly (like you, I thought that this was pretty big news).
In any case, something of note regarding Chevrolet vehicle records has been found... Exactly what detail will be available is anybody's guess at this point, but I have a feeling that we are going to be pleasantly surprised (well, some people will be pleasantly surprised). If it is anything like PHS, I know that I will be happy.
One of the better threads took place on the Supercar Forum a short time ago... Jim Mattison's personal response is at the top of page 5.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...b=5&o=&fpart=1
Matt ("Motown" on this forum and "Motown Madman" on the Supercar board) knows Jim Mattison personally and certainly knows a heck of a lot more than I do. Perhaps he can comment in more detail without divulging any privileged information.
Regards,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Chevrolet Vehicle Records (Rowdy Rat)
Stan, thanks for the posting the link. I don't doubt that the records exist or will be released. It will be nice to be able to sort the 'fakes' (I include clones meant to deceive) from the original ones. The release will play havoc with pricing. I can see a few 'losing their shirts'. On the other hand, the legit cars, even those verified but currently NOM (mine, a '69 recently purchased) should see gains in value.
I also happened to read the post regarding the sale of the L88 on the SuperCar board. Not really sure if the car is a survivor or a partial/full restoration based on what I read. It also surprises me that some of the points you raised seem to have been 'skirted'. Your thoughts?
I also happened to read the post regarding the sale of the L88 on the SuperCar board. Not really sure if the car is a survivor or a partial/full restoration based on what I read. It also surprises me that some of the points you raised seem to have been 'skirted'. Your thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
Re: Chevrolet Vehicle Records
Robert,
You're welcome for the link... There are some sharp people over on that board and they seem to be more interested in the outcome than the Corvette people are (who in my opinion, will be affected the most). I think that if the records are as detailed as I hope they are, they will solve more problems than they create. I also believe as you do that prices for cars with more desirable options will increase substantially.
I don't know... I think that Matt addressed the questions I had pretty well. I think what it comes down to is each individual's interpretation of "original". If you feel as Matt does that while items may have been disassembled, they are still the original parts and simple cleaning an reinstalling them does not change that. For what it's worth, many people agree with his reasoning and it's one of the reasons why I think Jim Mattison's car will do very well when it sells (provided it meets reserve).
I will say that as a potential buyer, the information that was presented in Matt's latter post is something that I would want to know... And now I do.
Regards,
You're welcome for the link... There are some sharp people over on that board and they seem to be more interested in the outcome than the Corvette people are (who in my opinion, will be affected the most). I think that if the records are as detailed as I hope they are, they will solve more problems than they create. I also believe as you do that prices for cars with more desirable options will increase substantially.
I also happened to read the post regarding the sale of the L88 on the SuperCar board. Not really sure if the car is a survivor or a partial/full restoration based on what I read. It also surprises me that some of the points you raised seem to have been 'skirted'. Your thoughts?
I will say that as a potential buyer, the information that was presented in Matt's latter post is something that I would want to know... And now I do.
Regards,
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids Mi
Re: Chevrolet Vehicle Records (Rowdy Rat)
Hey guys, as for the Chevy documentation, I would suggest anyone interested go out a get a copy of Muscle Car Review, spring 2003 issue which is still on the stands since it is a quarterly magazine. Don Johnsons Yellow Nash Bridges Cuda is on the cover. That magazine has several articles dealing with Jims project concening Chevrolet records. Jim has been working on this off and on since 1991, while he is doing his very best to make this happen there are always wrenches that could get thrown in the gears. He has been jumping hurdles for some time now, this look positive at this point but as with everything in life there are no guarantees. If it is possible to put this together Jim will make it happen, but if for any reason it cant be completed it will not be from a lack of effort on his part. The bureaucracy of a company like General Motors can be a overwhelming entity, while records do exist, they have been spread across the map like leaflets dropped from an airplane. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best, go out a pick up a copy of Muscle Car Review, it makes for some informative and entertaining reading.
Thanks,
Motown :banghead:
Thanks,
Motown :banghead:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: Chevrolet Vehicle Records (Rowdy Rat)
This is great news, seeing my car was originally sold in the USA and thus I can't get a record from GM Canada. Glutamine...there is a 1-800 number for GM in Oshawa (not that I have it handy). I'm sure some of our guys here have the direct number handy and can post it for you. I found them very helpful, they quickly searched my VIN and came back with a "negative". They do charge only if they have the info, so no cost if your vehicle isn't found. Think it was $40 or so, which included a copy of your build sheet and some general information. I certainly hope the US information is available, as would to authenticate my car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Re: I feel ridiculous asking this ................. (ZR-1 Mark)
It is intresting how much intrest this thread has generated. I have made several post on theis topic before and no one picked it up and ran with it. I hope the rummors are true and that GM or the Corvette Museum are able to bring out the doucmentation for pre-Bowling Green cars. If someone is trying to screw the public by selling a made up car then they should be the one to get hosed. My only intrest is for a scrap book on the cars the wife and I have. I would look at any build sheets/invoices or any other documentation with a suspicious eye, With cut and paste programs anything can be regenerated except the truth, that is one constant.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
Chevrolet Vehicle Records
It is intresting how much intrest this thread has generated. I have made several post on theis topic before and no one picked it up and ran with it.
I would agree with your comments... The same has happened to me when I have posted on this topic within the past year. Then again, after so many rumors and stories about such records (and GM denying they exist) I guess that long time Corvette owners get a bit jaded and generally disregard them. The thing that piqued my interest with the current story is Jim Mattison's involvement with the project. I know what he accomplished with Pontiac Historic Service and one can only hope that he is able to accomplish the same with the Chevrolet records.
I hope the rummors are true and that GM or the Corvette Museum are able to bring out the doucmentation for pre-Bowling Green cars.
If someone is trying to screw the public by selling a made up car then they should be the one to get hosed. My only intrest is for a scrap book on the cars the wife and I have.
I would look at any build sheets/invoices or any other documentation with a suspicious eye, With cut and paste programs anything can be regenerated except the truth, that is one constant.
Regards,
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Chevrolet Vehicle Records (Rowdy Rat)
The registry has some info: http://www.vettefinders.com/77registry/