50 years ago today

[Mike E.]

50 years ago today the first Corvette LS6 rolled off the line. It was the 45th car out the door in St. Louis, so in the latter part of first shift. How far automotive technology has progressed since then.

[Mark S.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Yes, with technology progressing; and Ford putting the Mustang name on an electric vehicle, I wonder about the future driveline for Corvettes. From what I have read, several of the Corvette engineers have been put on the electric engineering programs.

[Don H.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Since GM has committed to all electric by 2035, we know what the future is for Corvette. Hope I live long enough to see it.

[Michael J.]

Re: 50 years ago today

And the ZR2 was one of the best Corvettes ever made.

[Justin S.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Keeping Mike's positive reverie alive, I will own an LS6 someday. Has anyone here owned a ZR2?

[James G.]

Re: 50 years ago today

50 years ago Today the Black LT1 #11130 rolled off the line.
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Order Form
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Letter to the Powers That Be regarding Black paint
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Confirmation of black paint through a "bid" process at the plant - requiring a $1000 non refundable deposit.
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Letter regarding special paint charge of $83.00
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[Ed H.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Wow James that is quite a find, a special order paint code black with all the correspondence from the original purchaser and GM. Hopefully we will get to see it at a Regional in the future.

Ed H

[James G.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Yes we will be bringing it out for judging, it may be a year or so as I am going to finish going for a Duntov with my Brandshatch Green LT1 and help my brother get his 73 L82 survivor ready for flight judging - then we are going to get on the Black LT1 - Carolina's region hosts a regional May of 2022, I would like to HOPE it would be there, however that may be optimistic, as it has not been started in near 30 years and it's been 40 years since it was registered.

[Keith R.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Enjoyed your Restorer articles very much Mike regarding the LS6. Thanks for the contribution. Very interesting!

[Mike E.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Enjoyed your Restorer articles very much Mike regarding the LS6. Thanks for the contribution. Very interesting!

Thanks, Keith. I appreciate your note.

[Daniel K.]

Re: 50 years ago today

James -- What a fantastic car and history. Thank you for sharing. I hope everyone takes a few minutes to read the rest of the paperwork by using the link in your signature. Deluxe interior on a 1971 black LT-1! Just incredible. If I may ask, how is the paint and what are your plans (good enough to preserve?). Also, do you think Mr. Kraft purposely didn't get a radio, or is there a chance he and the Italian rep didn't know you had to order that as an option?? Congratulations, I hope to see this one in person someday.

[James G.]

Re: 50 years ago today

I can probably get away with painting 20-25% of the car and make it very presentable - - Center of the hood(maybe 18" x 24") and one of the sail panel hoops is crazed- thankfully black lacquer blends nicely, I may put everything together get it running and ready and then touch up the paint enough to get a Top Flight without painting it, I REALLY do not want to remove the original LT1 stripe - (If I ultimately paint it - I will buy another hood and hang the original paint hood on the wall) It would top flight pretty easily, everything is there and everything is original and correct, even the 399 waterpump, original dated master cylinder, original fuel pump in a box. - main thing is to go through and make everything fully working for operations judging,
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Bigger issue is it hasn't been started in 25 years and was not registered in 40 years so correctly recommissioning it is going to require every bushing, bearing, hose, and seal in the entire drive train, brake, and fuel system. Engine is free but probably should be gone through as well as the entire brake system and the remainder of the drive train.


Mr Kraft was an audiophile with all kinds of hi fi equip, but this car has no radio and he had side pipes installed immediately, so perhaps it was a conscious decision. FWIW there was a brand new OEM antenna mast in a sleeve burried in the carpet against the rear bulkhead, someone instinctively tossed one in the car.

[Tim G.]

Re: 50 years ago today

Mike, I also enjoyed your LS6 story in the recent Restorer Magazine.

[Terry M.]

Re: 50 years ago today

I can probably get away with painting 20-25% of the car and make it very presentable - - Center of the hood(maybe 18" x 24") and one of the sail panel hoops is crazed- thankfully black lacquer blends nicely, I may put everything together get it running and ready and then touch up the paint enough to get a Top Flight without painting it, I REALLY do not want to remove the original LT1 stripe - (If I ultimately paint it - I will buy another hood and hang the original paint hood on the wall) It would top flight pretty easily, everything is there and everything is original and correct, even the 399 waterpump, original dated master cylinder, original fuel pump in a box. - main thing is to go through and make everything fully working for operations judging,
[ATTACH=CONFIG]105092[/ATTACH]

Bigger issue is it hasn't been started in 25 years and was not registered in 40 years so correctly recommissioning it is going to require every bushing, bearing, hose, and seal in the entire drive train, brake, and fuel system. Engine is free but probably should be gone through as well as the entire brake system and the remainder of the drive train.


Mr Kraft was an audiophile with all kinds of hi fi equip, but this car has no radio and he had side pipes installed immediately, so perhaps it was a conscious decision. FWIW there was a brand new OEM antenna mast in a sleeve burried in the carpet against the rear bulkhead, someone instinctively tossed one in the car.

Jim
I know unsolicited advice is often not welcome, but in this case I will run that risk.

leave the paint alone I believe it is attributed to Reggie Jackson, but regardless who said it, it is good advice: "They are only original once." Touching up the paint will only serve to bring the whole paint job into question.

Your antenna mast may have been the factory shipped mast. If the person preparing the new car couldn't find it thy simply went to teh parts department and got another and installed that one. Who would know the difference?

[Mark F.]

https://www.uss-saratoga.com/historyofusssaratoga