C1 Block Numbers by roaddraft tube

[John H.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

I don't see any disconnect with 1959 production the Spec Guide - it says the last '59 serial number was in August, and the latest issue of the "Birthday Book" shows August 10th as the last day of '59 production; it also pegs '59 #9405 as having been built on July 31st, with '60 production starting on September 2nd (the Spec Guide apparently ignores the first 584 60's that were built in September).

In any event, an engine built on September 22, 1959 couldn't be original to a car built 7 weeks before that date; the original engine has been replaced.

[Richard M.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

Susan, if you are near a metropolitan area it may be wise to get someone to help you look it over as Verle suggested. Other option is to post pictures for us to look at. We could tell you what to take photos of. Does your car have a stabilizer bar in the rear of the chassis? It goes from brackets at the bottom of each spring-to-axle mount across to the other side. Shaped like a big wide "U". Not to be confused with radius rods which go from top of axle towards front on each side of inner frame.

Ok, Makes sense to me now about the spec guide. But there's one other possibility about this Corvette in question. I'm reaching but it's possible. I don't think we know enough about the car to come to a conclusion yet, IMHO.

So..........Maybe the engine is in fact original to the car. Maybe the car vin plate was swapped. It's only 2 screws. Maybe it's actually a early 1960 Corvette(before steering column vin plates), which we all know is identical to the 59 except for:(from memory...maybe more?)
*=smoking gun
1-interior trim(seatcovers-60vertical vs 59horizontal,60dimple metal vs 59squares)
2-needles on small gauges(60rounded vs 59pointed)
3-body color painted rims vs black
4-*rear stabilizer bar in chassis
5-*frame vin#
That it????

Rich

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 All Numbers

Based on the VIN you would expecgt a build date for the car on July 30, 1959...

greetings,
Rob.

[Rob M.]

Re: Sept 59? Spec Guide Error????

some other clues:

- dash end caps (small versus larger version)
- passenger dash insert (with bars)
- speaker grill and bezel
- dates on other dated components indicating 59 versus 60 car...

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Rich-----

I'd forgotten the year of her car. In any event, it may just be that what's she's reading as a "9" at the end of the series is actually an "8". Distinguishing between "3", "6", "8" and "9" can be near impossible even for those who've been looking at castings for years.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Joe, Good catch, hadn't thought of that.

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

Rich------

Based upon additional information that Susan posted regarding the build date of the car, the problem now is that any engine manufactured in 1958 would be too early for a 1959 built at the very end of the model year.

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Block Numbers this is it

That's right too. So maybe it's a 60! We'll have to wait and hear from her.
Rich

[Susan Osborne]

C1 I'll take pictures

Hi Rich,

I'll take pictures and post them so they can be looked at, It might be easier and it was hard to get the numbers clear at the back of the block. So I'll take interior, and engine numbers and post them. Then maybe this will be all clear. Unless you know someone in Fairbanks, Alaska? Let me know I'll get the pictures. Thank you Susan

[Susan Osborne]

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[Susan Osborne]

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[Susan Osborne]

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[Rob M.]

I think you need some help...

Link to pictures

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingReg.jsp?Uc=12jwo0hz.10cu6laf&Uy=sw7f3r&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=775605054422_11743454215

[Rob M.]

Re: I think you need some help...

BTW I think the engine date reads I199 so 19th of Sept. 1959

[Rob M.]

Re: I think you need some help...

Gauge pointers look blunt (