1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pics.

[Patrick H.]

Hi all.

As promised, I decided to go look at my own cars, and see what I had. I think I still may have another version of a reproduction wingnut on a car of my Dad's but the photos on the link will at least clarify a few things.

Note that in all photos, the reproduction wingnut is on the left, the original on the right. That one is from my hopefully Star/Bowtie candidate 1972 coupe. Since the car hasn't been touched or driven regularly in 15+ years (i.e. before reproduction wingnuts were common) I have no doubt that it is correct.

Let me know what you think after you see the pictures.

You can see the previous photos of the wingnuts at: http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/pu...sp?id_=1957166

and Terry's original at: http://image1ex.villagephotos.com/pu...sp?id_=1976653

Patrick




Patrick's Wingnuts.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Very good pictures! I have 73's and they are not chromed but are just like the ones on the RH in your pictures.They may be the same vendor just not chromed. I don't know if they repo the non chrome wing nuts as all I see are correct or way off(Hardware store).

Lyle

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

"I have 73's" - now there's an understatement.

If you're going to be at Seven Springs or Hershey, let me know (and remind me). I have something to bring along and show you.

But yes, I also have a black one (original) which appears to be exactly like the original on my 72, but not chromed.

Patrick

[Len Rayca]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Patrick et al:

Not that I am an expert,but for what it is worth,the most significant differance between the original and the repro,appears to me to be that the threaded hole protrusion on the original,sticks up a lttle higher than the hole on the repro. At least it appears that way from the photos.

[Al S.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Patrick,
For what it's worth...
I have my 72 wingnut right here next to my computer screen and it appears closest to the shiny one. In this picture they're stacked one on top and one underneath, not right and left. The only differences I see are the inner openings on the inside of the wings on mine appear to be half-way between the two you have here, not quite as open as the dull one (on top) but a little wider than the shiny one on the bottom.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Al,

Click on the link on the bottom that says "Patrick's Wingnuts" to see the new pictures.

Patrick

[Juliet P.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Patrick, is there any difference in the profile of the shape of the 'wings'? From the photos it appears as if there is also a little nub sticking up on the lower edge just outboard of the threaded center. I wonder if that could be a tell tale sign of an original? Mine's got crud buildup on the inside so I can't tell... mine also has what appears to be some machine (squeeze?) marks on the outside of the ears, under the chrome. They're vertical striations. I can't say for sure if it's original or not, but the air cleaner lid / stud and most of the rest of the engine bay on my car is pretty much original. Do the originals one have evidence of the striations or machine marks on the outside? What about the repros? Also what is the profile of the undersurface? Does it gradually curve in to the threaded part or is it flatter? Need more pictures please. I put some photos of the one from my early '70 (about 2000 cars after Terry's) online here: http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970registry/wingnut.html ~Juliet

http://corvetteforum.net/c3/1970registry/wingnut.html

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Juliet, Patrick, et al------

One other thing to keep in mind here is that besides the fact that there may have been multiple manufacturers and/or multiple sets of tooling to produce these wing nuts, the tooling was also subject to WEAR. As the tooling wore, the quality/configuration of the finished part progressively degraded. When a particular set of tooling wore to the point that it broke or to the point that it would no longer produce a part of minimum acceptable quality, it was replaced. Then, the process started all over again for that set of tooling.

The point is that original parts may differ in minor ways from one another and all be original.

Also, the "striations" that Juliet mentioned are tooling marks. These marks become progressively more prominent as the tooling wears.

[Calvin M.]

Re: 1970-72 Closed dual snorkle wingnut - with pic

Hi Patrick -
My original '72 wingnut most closely resembles those on the right of your photos, and that of Terry's. It also has the tool marks mentioned by Juliet and Joe. The thicker version with the closer opening of the wings I believe is a repro. It matches those shown in the Paragon (p.4) and Paddock (p. 117) catalogs.
Cal