Which is correct for 1956-1957?

[Garry Barnes]

Calling out for opinions of dual air cleaner wing nuts for '56-'57. Is the typical cad plated wing nut correct or is the flat base cad plated wing correct? One catalog has them as first type for 55-62 and the flat base type for 58-62. Did it just come down to whatever was in the bin? Thanks.
Garry

[John D.]

Re: Which is correct for 1956-1957?

Gary, Dan Patch in Shawnee, KS has the correct wing nuts that you are looking for. I believe he goes by guageit on ebay. Once in a while he lists these for sale. At first they appear as typical hardware store variety but upon closer inspection his are the real deal. Typically Dan lists them as NOS WING NUT CHEVY CORVETTE AIR CLEANER For many years I have been looking at the 57 fuel cars and hardly ever see the same wing nut twice on them. Dan claims his are correct for Fi's, 2x4 and one 4 barrel. I have asked lots of people over the years and each time get a different wing nut or opinion. You would think I would know by now but... So guys jump in on this on as we need imput and pics. John

[Joseph T.]

Checkout the wingnut

sitting next to the air filter!

I suspect this is a real one..this picture is about Feb.1957.

Notice anything interesting?

Joe

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Checkout the wingnut

Joe, it appears as though it is one of the flat base types. Is that what you see?

It also looks like the guy in the background, bent over and facing away from the camera was so excited that he left his pants at home..........but I'm sure that isn't what you are looking for.
Garry

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Which is correct for 1956-1957?

Thanks John. I get many different answers as well. Maybe we can get a concensus going. Thanks for the information on Dan Patch.
Garry

[John D.]

Re: Checkout the wingnut

Joe, What a super photo for sure. That ultra rare louvred AC is gorgeous. I remember in the early 90's that Podell had a NOS for sale in Cyprus for major bucks. I sent my wife down to take a photo of it and still have the pic. But I don't think it was as nice as the one in the photo though.
Gary, the wingnut is not the same as the one I told you about. Now this is an early early '57 so maybe a later 57 with the typical Air cleaner uses a different nut. Would take someone with the old parts books to look this detail up. But you are correct is assuming that it is the "flat" style you spoke of.
Super photo and worth printing for sure.
Do you realize how many '57's out there need this air cleaner. Ken Kaiser wrote many articles about it in Vette Vues. Hope Ken is looking in although I don't think he goes on this forum. I believe Ken said this Air cleaner was used way into Jan of 57 and possibly later. No set value. What ever the market will bare. If the boys are paying 4G's and up for a blue dirty element I would think that a louvred AC is absolutely priceless. Been in this hobby for a long long time and never owned one and doubt if I ever will. Thanks, John

[Verle R.]

Re: Checkout the wingnut

Joe,

"Notice anything interesting?"

The last car looks like an SR2, corregated hood and driver fairing/fin on the back.

Verle

[Joseph T.]

Re: Checkout the wingnut

Verle

The car in the background is the Bill Mitchell SR2 being prepped for the NASCAR Safety and Performance week in which it set a record on the beach...at Daytona.

Also..on the car in the forefront..no RP ID tag on the FI unit..and how about that ignition shielding! Too bad we can't see if it has a radio.

Garry..that is a 56 two four barrel car in the middle!

Joe

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Checkout the wingnut

Joe,
Thanks for the great photo. Do you agree that that is a flat base wing nut?
Garry

[Joseph T.]

Original wingnut

Garry / John

Below is pictured what I believe to be the original wingnut on an unrestored original 57 FI engine, FI assembly and air cleaner.

You can also see the wingnut removed by clicking on the site below.


You will notice it has what I refer to as concave ears.

Notice the original blue AC air filter element.

Joe Trybulec

[Joseph T.]

Re: Original wingnut

Sorry my connecting picture site was wrong..see below the picture of the original wingnut removed.

Joe

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Original wingnut

Thanks Joe. What I wouldn't give to have the photo library that you have.
Thanks again!
Garry

[Philip C.]

Wing nut is not Flat

Joes wing nut is correct and its not flat, if you plug the center hole it will hold water not a lot but it will, it also has a very slight curve to it so the very bottom hits the air cleaner first. The flat ford type are not correct. The ones on E-bay are wrong. Phil 8063

[Roy B.]

Re: Original wingnut

I agree with your pic. and the flat area as having a lip so not to cut in to the cleaner.

[Joseph T.]

short rain gutter

How about the short rain gutter on the front 57.