1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

[Michael N.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

You guys really know how to make a new guy feel welcome in the club. Guess I learned not to assume vette guys know what the color codes are.

It is Steel Cities Gray. Guess I will make sure its all typed out next time.

Thanks to the guys that tried to help me out with some information!

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

You guys really know how to make a new guy feel welcome in the club. Guess I learned not to assume vette guys know what the color codes are.

It is Steel Cities Gray. Guess I will make sure its all typed out next time.

Michael,

We're just having some fun, take it easy.
The color code is 988 - now THAT we would have recognized.

As you can tell, using letters for color abbreviations is very much a newer (C5 and later) Corvette thing.
As one of the posters above often says, you know what happens when you assUme something.

Patrick

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

The Impala SS guys refer to their cars with the initials of the colors, but it is a new one on me for Corvettes. Oh well, it is hard to keep all these cars in separate categories forever. Just like everyone has "matching numbers."

BTW: The Impala guys have forgone SOB and changed it to BB even though the color name is Solid Onyx Black. Go figure.

So what does BB stand for ...Bitch'n Black? Black Betty? Don't leave us scratch'n our noggins here Terry. We will lose what's left of our hare.

[Reba W.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

In all the discussion about SCG (which I also didn't get, and I used to own one), we have not addressed an important issue. If the car is really as original as you believe, don't do anything yet. Get it evaluated at a chapter or regional meet to see if it is potential Bowtie material. That is NCRS's category for unrestored original cars, and we love to see these cars.

[Michael N.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

In all the discussion about SCG (which I also didn't get, and I used to own one), we have not addressed an important issue. If the car is really as original as you believe, don't do anything yet. Get it evaluated at a chapter or regional meet to see if it is potential Bowtie material. That is NCRS's category for unrestored original cars, and we love to see these cars.

Thanks. That's why I haven't done anything with the car yet except give it a good wash. I sent an email to the IL chapter membership person and their historian last week. I haven't heard anything back yet.

[Monte M.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

Mike,
I think you will find that most of the people on this site really do have good intentions. I too had a very bad first few experiences when I started posting on this site. Truth is, it was with one of the people that posted on this thread. It made me leave the forum for years. I just had no interest in dealing with people like him.

I eventually came back to the site. I am really glad I did. I have learned a lot on this forum. Even the person that was such a jerk way back then has turned out to be a decent person.

I think if you stick it out that you will find it is a pretty good site full of great information and pretty decent people that might make a bad judgment call from time to time. You will also find that some of these guys are extremely knowledgeable about your era of car and are extremely nice and willing to help out in any way they can.

Not sure we should have run your SCG comment off in the ditch like we should have, but it was all in good fun. Hang in there

[Michael N.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

Mike,
I think you will find that most of the people on this site really do have good intentions. I too had a very bad first few experiences when I started posting on this site. Truth is, it was with one of the people that posted on this thread. It made me leave the forum for years. I just had no interest in dealing with people like him.

I eventually came back to the site. I am really glad I did. I have learned a lot on this forum. Even the person that was such a jerk way back then has turned out to be a decent person.

I think if you stick it out that you will find it is a pretty good site full of great information and pretty decent people that might make a bad judgment call from time to time. You will also find that some of these guys are extremely knowledgeable about your era of car and are extremely nice and willing to help out in any way they can.

Not sure we should have run your SCG comment off in the ditch like we should have, but it was all in good fun. Hang in there

Monte,

Thanks for the response. I really haven't been that impressed up to this point and the responses aren't what I expected from the people who make up the "standard" for all corvettes to be judged by. I joined NCRS in order to find out more information on this car and to gain more knowledge on the earlier corvettes, not to be ridiculed for an abbreviation. Although I am not new to cars, I am to the corvette side of things. This car has been hidden for a lot of years and I personally wanted to find out more information on it. The research I have done makes it a fairly low production car and you don't find them very original all that often. I contacted the IL branch to speak with someone local and haven't had any luck on that end either. At this point I guess I feel like I wasted the membership fee. I am on quite a few other car forums where the true experts know exactly what you are talking about, wether it's abbreviated or not, and have never had a response like this one. It definitely leaves a bad impression with a new member of NCRS and the forum.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

If you're still looking for replies to the original post and while adding my name to the list of people who have never before heard of a paint colour name being abbreviated, determining the options on a '72 or later Corvette is quite straightforward as compared to earlier cars.

Firstly, the engine option is coded into the VIN. The paint colour and interior material colour are displayed on the trim tag along with an assembly date that is related to the car's final completion date.

Although the remaining options can be best confirmed by retrieving the tank sticker, simply examination of the car will usually suffice. By 1972, the list of available options and in particular performance related options had been reduced to a mere shadow of the mid and late 60's.

This means that a given car might have a long or short or unusual list, but it usually doesn't have much effect on the 'rarity' perception or value.

Your car may not have been ordered with a radio, ('radio delete' didn't come along till about 5 years later) as it was fairly common to opt for a dealer or aftermarket unit that was much better quality at a much lower price.

NCRS does not hold any records on car's options if that is your assumption.

A question for you if I may- how did you determine that your car has an M21 transmission, vs. an M20?
.

[Michael N.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

A question for you if I may- how did you determine that your car has an M21 transmission, vs. an M20?
.

Thanks for the reply. I decided the stamping marks on the transmission from information available. The paint codes, engine block and transmission all match the way they should. It is an M21 and correct to the car.

[Don L.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

Michael, I certainly hope that I didn't offend you when identifying what I thought you meant when you stated "SCG". There was definitely no offense intended.

Back to your initial post and its questions, have you any photos of this car to share here? A picture of the antenna, especially the base and the ball at the top of the mast would be most helpful in determining its originality. As for the "radio delete" potential, does the car have ignition shielding?

I see several responses to your questions on history and build records. Have you looked into any of these yet?

Of course without knowing and seeing more on this car, it will be impossible to judge value or to speak to value of restoration. Again, pictures would be most useful...

[Tim G.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

What a great car, the lack of options is a plus in my book. Steel Cities Gray is beautiful. There are lots of good Illinois members in your area that will be glad to help out. I've see where folks ask for help after considerable damage has already been done. You're wise asking early on.

Folks will come forward to look at your car and advise on how best to preserve it.

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

What a great car, the lack of options is a plus in my book. Steel Cities Gray is beautiful. There are lots of good Illinois members in your area that will be glad to help out. I've see where folks ask for help after considerable damage has already been done. You're wise asking early on.

Folks will come forward to look at your car and advise on how best to preserve it.

I agree on the exterior color, but then I'm biased ; bought a convertible brand new in Dec 1971 (VIN 08196). Had the blue interior which was a color/trim override in the order book (see GM Canada microfiche code "ZP2").







c

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1972 SCG 454 with M21 - New Member looking for history / information

Wayne, that is a sweet ride....