After having the car inspected, and careful consideration, I have decided to pass on the car. I am not saying that it is not legit; merely that I cannot establish its legitmacy to my satisfaction. That and the fact that the overall condition appears a little rougher than I expected and the paint is a custom irridesent hue.
The 321 block's casting date is Nov. 15, 1967...not saying it is not the original(as the stamps look good) but I lack an explanation for the block sitting around for 8 months before installation in the car. (anyone out there got one?) When I attempt to corroborate the engine with the rest of powertrain the trans does not appear to be original and a new tunnel insulator suggests its been out recently. The only numbers found were 3925661, 10W332180, OD16B (right side)and no vin could be seen...what do they mean? As for the rear (a CE suffix) seems to correlate to a 1963 4:11 rear and the date appears to be Sept. 15 1963. I originally thought the date to be 9/15/68 except I believe the CE suffix was not used in 1968, it was in 1963, and a poorly stamped 3 would look something like an 8.
Anyway, although I am disappointed it is not what I hoped for, I am happy I followed through on an inspection of the car. A big thank you is in order for Steve at Eastern Corvette for dropping what he was doing to go out and look at the car before the auction ended. I learnt the hard way in the past and submit to anyone thinking about purchasing a car long distance: a pre-purchase inspection is money well spent.
GM
The 321 block's casting date is Nov. 15, 1967...not saying it is not the original(as the stamps look good) but I lack an explanation for the block sitting around for 8 months before installation in the car. (anyone out there got one?) When I attempt to corroborate the engine with the rest of powertrain the trans does not appear to be original and a new tunnel insulator suggests its been out recently. The only numbers found were 3925661, 10W332180, OD16B (right side)and no vin could be seen...what do they mean? As for the rear (a CE suffix) seems to correlate to a 1963 4:11 rear and the date appears to be Sept. 15 1963. I originally thought the date to be 9/15/68 except I believe the CE suffix was not used in 1968, it was in 1963, and a poorly stamped 3 would look something like an 8.
Anyway, although I am disappointed it is not what I hoped for, I am happy I followed through on an inspection of the car. A big thank you is in order for Steve at Eastern Corvette for dropping what he was doing to go out and look at the car before the auction ended. I learnt the hard way in the past and submit to anyone thinking about purchasing a car long distance: a pre-purchase inspection is money well spent.
GM
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