Owner's Manual & Glove Box Contents

[Bob Babcock #33116]

I just bought the Judging Manuals for my Corvettes so I won't have to ask so many stupid questions here on the board, but darn, I still have a few. What is the correct owners guide edition for an Aug 63 built SWC? How important is the edition number for judging?
I don't have the Owner Protection Plan, Warranty Booklet, plastic envelope and Wonderbar Radio Instruction Sheet. The manual sez the glove box contents are only 5 points, which doesn't sound significant. Are there reprints for the missing contents available and given the originality deducts, is it worth the effort with only 5 points at stake?

[Jack H.]

Re: Owner's Manual & Glove Box Contents

Control of owner's manual revision level was 'spotty' in my view. Since these were usually the same P/N, it appears they got stuffed into common inventory pins and pulled at random. Consider '65. The second edition of the manual was released around Christmas, but I've seen a NUMBER of untouched original cars built in March-May that went both ways on which book version they got....

As far as the other GB items, almost all are listed in the Long Island catalog as either original or reproduction. You are correct about there being a point of diminshing return in terms of $/judging point. But, this 'game/sport/hobby' entails a lot of individual personal pride in the restoration/preservation process and you'll see some go to Herculean levels to make THEIR restoration 'correct'.....

[Jack H.]

Re: Owner's Manual & Glove Box Contents

Control of owner's manual revision level was 'spotty' in my view. Since these were usually the same P/N, it appears they got stuffed into common inventory pins and pulled at random. Consider '65. The second edition of the manual was released around Christmas, but I've seen a NUMBER of untouched original cars built in March-May that went both ways on which book version they got....

As far as the other GB items, almost all are listed in the Long Island catalog as either original or reproduction. You are correct about there being a point of diminshing return in terms of $/judging point. But, this 'game/sport/hobby' entails a lot of individual personal pride in the restoration/preservation process and you'll see some go to Herculean levels to make THEIR restoration 'correct'.....

[Dave S.]

Re: Owner's Manual & Glove Box Contents

Bob, Many years of Corvette Owners manuals have actual dates on first, second, third etc. edition manuals. For instance 1965 has no month or year on the first edition but the second edition is dated December 1964. A 1966 first edition has a August 1965 date. A first edition 1963 has no date. I'm not sure if the second edition 1963 has a date or not. I would imagine if you had a manual that was dated after your cars build date you would be incorrect. The owners manuals were placed in the cars at the plant prior to shipping. As to reproduction glovebox items, they are available. As Jack suggested some people want real glovebox items in their cars, and that is why they insist original pieces.

[Dave S.]

Re: Owner's Manual & Glove Box Contents

Bob, Many years of Corvette Owners manuals have actual dates on first, second, third etc. edition manuals. For instance 1965 has no month or year on the first edition but the second edition is dated December 1964. A 1966 first edition has a August 1965 date. A first edition 1963 has no date. I'm not sure if the second edition 1963 has a date or not. I would imagine if you had a manual that was dated after your cars build date you would be incorrect. The owners manuals were placed in the cars at the plant prior to shipping. As to reproduction glovebox items, they are available. As Jack suggested some people want real glovebox items in their cars, and that is why they insist original pieces.