Are these parts original on my '69?

[Paul S.]

Hi all,

New NCRS member here (this is my first post).

I recently began checking all of the part numbers and date codes on my '69 convertible. My engine assembly date was July 3, 1969 and my body build date was July 23, 1969, so as you might expect, the majority of the original date-coded parts have dates in late June or early July.

The exceptions I found are below. I think these are all ok, but I just want to make sure none of these are too early to be original to my car, as I know that the previous owner of my car began some restoration work.

Rochester Carburetor - April 3, 1969
Harrison Radiator - May 1969
Differential Casting Date - March 3, 1969
Side Windows - April 1969
Side Mirror - March 1969
Jack - March 1969


Thanks in advance!


- Paul

[Mike E.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Paul,
No idea if they are original to the car or not, but their dates provide no issues for judging if they are configured and finished correctly. Welcome!

[Paul S.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Thanks, Mike! I'm glad to hear that the dates on all of the parts are good as far as judging goes.

Even so, I'd be interested in hearing folks opinions on whether any of the dates seem to be outside the "normal range" usually seen. I'm especially curious about the carburetor, radiator, and differential casting.

- Paul

[Joe L.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Thanks, Mike! I'm glad to hear that the dates on all of the parts are good as far as judging goes.

Even so, I'd be interested in hearing folks opinions on whether any of the dates seem to be outside the "normal range" usually seen. I'm especially curious about the carburetor, radiator, and differential casting.

- Paul

Paul------


I would say they are definitely not outside the "normal range".

By the way, what is the part number and date on the alternator?

[Paul S.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

By the way, what is the part number and date on the alternator?

It's 1100859 with a date of June 30, 1969. (I figured that seemed pretty logical, given the build date.)

I believe this is the correct alternator, given that my car is a base 350 CID/300 HP car without AC.

[Joe L.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

It's 1100859 with a date of June 30, 1969. (I figured that seemed pretty logical, given the build date.)

I believe this is the correct alternator, given that my car is a base 350 CID/300 HP car without AC.

Paul------


Yes, it's correct and almost certainly original. This is a VERY difficult to find alternator and worth a lot of money. Don't let it out of your sight.

[Bill L.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Paul------


Yes, it's correct and almost certainly original. This is a VERY difficult to find alternator and worth a lot of money. Don't let it out of your sight.

Very hard to find and most restorer's are getting $1,200!

Welcome.


Bill

[Anthony S.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Paul, There was a labor strike that started early April 69 and ran until early June which may have affected some of the parts dates.... That may account for some of the dates you are finding in the March timeframe. With many cars, determining originality for many parts, you need to know a lot about the owner history or look at the car as a whole and see if the overall story makes sense wrt mileage and condition. The differential is a 'strong' part that if you have a low mileage car, I would have expected to see that closer to the build date, but who knows? The Carb tended to be more problematic, and on higher mileage cars, would likely be replaced..... Very cool 859 alternator! Have fun...T

[Chuck B.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Paul
When your car is judged we use a six month window.
In other words we will accept a dated part as long as the
date doesn't precede the build date of the car by a maximum
of six months. So with that stated I would not have any problems
with the above mentioned parts.
Chuck Berge

[Alan S.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Hi Paul,
I'm glad to see you're posting and hope to continue to see you here!
I too think the dates you've listed seem reasonable.
Sometimes there will be an 'odd ball' but that just seems to to reinforce the fact the the plant and part supplies were a big operation.
My 71 with the base motor has parts that are close to it's assembly date as one might expect for the intake manifold which has an August 70 date and is on the engine which was assembled the first week of January, 1971 for a mid January built car?!?
Throughout the rest of the car the vast majority of both hard and soft parts have dates from the last weeks in December and the first week in January.
Again, Welcome!
Regards,
Alan

[Reba W.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Paul
When your car is judged we use a six month window.
In other words we will accept a dated part as long as the
date doesn't precede the build date of the car by a maximum
of six months.

Except for glass--that can be twelve months prior to build. From JRM: "The 12-month time span allows for the exception rather than the rule. Most normal production time spans will usually fall within one (1) to six (6) months of vehicle build."

[Joe L.]

Re: Are these parts original on my '69?

Very hard to find and most restorer's are getting $1,200!

Welcome.


Bill

Bill-----


The reason it's so scarce is because this was a Corvette-only alternator and used for only some applications during only the 1969 model year.

In the case of this alternator (as well as all other 1969 Corvette alternators), not only is the part number and date rare, but the case halves, themselves, are also rare. So, irrespective of part number and date, it's difficult to re-create exact original configuration.