Digital Man

Folks, I am in the process of selling my 1978 and exploring an earlier C3. I came across a 1969 which the current owner claims is an LT1. Its got the LT1 hood emblem and he claims its all numbers matching. I will be verifying the numbers myself but in advance of that, my question is was there an LT1 produced in 1969? My understanding is that the LT1 was planned/considered for 1969 but delayed and not introduced until the 1970 model year.

Thoughts? Input?

Thanks!

ddawson

Nope,

http://www.rogerscorvette.com/specs/69.htm

early shark

I believe Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina, Ca built a '69 LT-1 Corvette.

bruiser

yep
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...t1-1969-a.html

vettebuyer6369

It's unlikely the guy selling it has one.

What's his asking price for such a supposedly rare bird?

BBCorv70

If this is indeed a dealer installed LT1, how can it be 'numbers matching'? No dealer installed engines are considered numbers matching.

LeMans Pete

I believe the Clippinger LT1 used a warranty replacement motor; therefore, it would not be "numbers matching."

I thought there was 1 LT1 built by engineering. But, there is no LT1 engine suffix code for '69.

Shark Racer

Agreed that there were mule cars - there was a road test article where the mags drove a 69 with an LT-1. No factory production cars came with one, though.

Easy Mike

Bizzoco's book covers these, along with a couple of other references. There were two 69 Corvettes prepped with LT-1 engines provided by Chevrolet-Warren for the 1970 long lead press review. The automotive writers got to drive and test them, then write their articles in time for the usual new model introduction stories in the magazines.

Neither of these engines was factory installed. The LT-1 was not available from the factory for the 1969 model year. The owner of the car you have come across has fallen for a well known Corvette Myth.

I am certain most of us on the Forum would be very interested to see the pad stamps on this matching numbers 69 LT-1. Take your camera with you when you go.

Mike Ward

Back in the 80s when I was shopping for a car I came across a guy with a '73 who insisted that his car had a factory LT1 transmission. He proudly proved it by showing me the Hurst shifter handle. There was nothing I could say to convince him that there was no such thing as an 'LT1 transmission' and no Corvette came with a Hurst shifter.

Not even the metal bodied cars.

Digital Man

Thanks for the comments and input. I'll keep you posted if/when I learn more about the car. If this goes any further, I certainly will be checking the engine tag, trim tag, etc. my guess at this point that if it indeed an LT1, it was retrofitted.

If by chance its a rerofit in a 1969, in good condition, what is an estimated value?

Thanks

CaseyJones

If you will check again, I think you will find that the metal bodies ones with the high output six cylinders used the LT1 transmissions when ordered with the heavy duty trailer towing package and six ply tires.

Easy Mike

What is the seller asking for his numbers matching 1969 LT-1?

bashcraft

The same as any other NOM '69.

LeMans Pete

My opinion is that it is worth a little more than any other NOM '69. If you do have an original '70-'72 LT-1 motor, that motor may be worth more money to the owner of that car (if you can find them, and if they want it). If it has all the original LT-1 parts, you'll find that many of these parts can bring alot of money on ebay (carburetor, alternator, TI Distributor, oil pan, timing cover, pulleys, smog system, etc.).

Of course, this would require alot of research on your part.

If you want to buy it and drive it as is, maybe take these factors into consideration if you do try and sell the motor or part it in the future.

parkerracing

The only LT1 transmission offered was for the aluminum bodied Corvette and was a transaxle.

parkerracing

IF (caps intended) it is a dealer installed parts counter LT1 it won't be worth much to anyone except an LT1 owner whose moter has gone missing years ago. As a long block all the accessories would have been swaped from the original donor motor and be dated 1969.

Kid Vette

A 1969 LT-1.



Prototype.

Kid Vette

They modified a 350/350 L46 motor.

"Then there came the LT-1, but not officially. The factory listed the 370-bhp/350-cid engine early in the model year, found they couldn't get all the pieces without depriving the Z /28 market, and canceled. But before they did the factory shop manuals came out. All the engine specifications were listed. Some keen minds at Clippinger Chevrolet, Covina, Calif., took note. In came Jeff Butler, a slalom driver who had his heart set on an LT-1. Clippinger couldn't get one, so the keen minds ordered a 350/350, and the right parts like: Nr. 3849346, the street Z/28 camshaft; and Nr. 3917610, the high-rise aluminum manifold; and Nr. 3923289 an 800-cfm Holley carburetor. And they built an LT-1. In Clippinger's shop, so the warranty still applied."
Car Life, July 1969

bigtech12

My father-in-law has a 1969 LT1, that is said to be off the GM testing grounds, that was obtained from a GM engineer. While I am not a Corvette expert, I am trying to find more information for him. I just read the article in the Car Life magazine and I was trying to get my hands on a copy of the Bizzoco book but it is quite expensive. There has been mention of Mule cars which I assume are test cars. Does anyone have any further information on how these cars might be identified? The numbers on the block have been XXXXX'd out and as far as I can tell that would be the only difference, aside from the engine, that might help identify the car.