corvettes in primer

[Bill M.]

I was at the Lime Rock park car show on Sunday and i came accross a 73 coupe that left the factory in primer. I was with a friend and said he never knew that corvettes were delivered without paint.I told him that i had the info at home. Well it turns out that i do not. Does anyone know when and how many vettes came in primer? The owner of the 73 told me that there were no records of 73s but he had the tank sticker and it listed it as special paint.

Thanks
Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

I can't tell you about 1973s, but I suggest you take a look at the NCRS Specifications guide or the Black Book. 1972 shows the number of cars with Special paint. SOME of those were in primer some were black paint.

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but it isn't many either way (20-something for 1972 I think). The other early C3 years are not called out, but I have seen 1970 and 1971 with SPEC on the trim tag. One has to do a careful forensic examination to determine the original finish without authentic paperwork.

The 1968-69 and 1970-72 TIM&JG instruct the judges to assume a car with SPEC or SPECIAL on the trim tag was delivered in primer unless the owner presents proof of another finish.

[Mike M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

Hi Bill
Sorry, I don't have my NCRS Spec Guide with me, but, it and other pubs list the "Special/Prime" at the end of the options list in the body color section.
This feature was offered at least during the Mid-year production and is stamped as such on the trim tag, I seem to recall around a dozen or so, each year.
I've been told this ended sometime in the shark production.
Perhaps, one of the 'Sharksters" can jump in with more.
HaND

[Bill M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

The owner of the car bought it as black and then repainted it black again. When he removed the interior he found all primer. he now regrets that he spayed over the interior primer. I will look in black book.

Bill

[Steve P.]

Re: corvettes in primer

Surely it would be incorrect to make the assumption that the SPEC SPL and SPECIAL Trim Tag cars would be delivered in Primer. were these Tags not reserved for non Corvette colour finishes painted at the factory?

My own Yenko/Davis 64 Coupe Tag states SPEC, I have documentation showing Silver (Special) on the Yenko Chevrolet order form.

24 cars in Prime/Special paint for 64 I think.

Regards

Steve

[Bill M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

When i get home i will check again i to thought that special could mean just an odd color. when i was searching yesterday i was looking for primer as a color.The plot thickens....

Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

In the early C3s the usual trim tag designation for either a special color OR primer is SPEC or, less often SPECIAL. I have yet to see an early C3 with the word PRIME on the trim tag, but of course that is possible -- and in that case I would think the required finish would be obvious.

I don't have the exact words of the TIM&JG with me, but for early C3s it is incumbent on the owner to establish to the satisfaction of the Team Leader the original finish if the trim tag says SPEC or SPECIAL. Without some documentation to prove otherwise the finish is to be primer.

People owning such a car, regardless the year, ought to be in contact with the appropriate team leader before preparing it for judging.

[Terry M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

Surely it would be incorrect to make the assumption that the SPEC SPL and SPECIAL Trim Tag cars would be delivered in Primer. were these Tags not reserved for non Corvette colour finishes painted at the factory?

In the early C3s the usual trim tag designation for either a special color OR primer is SPEC or, less often SPECIAL. I have yet to see an early C3 with the word PRIME on the trim tag, but of course that is possible -- and in that case I would think the required finish would be obvious. Other years or other carlines may be different.

I don't have the exact words of the TIM&JG with me, but for early C3s it is incumbent on the owner to establish to the satisfaction of the Team Leader the original finish if the trim tag says SPEC or SPECIAL. Without some documentation to prove otherwise the finish is to be in primer.

People owning such a car, regardless the year, ought to be in contact with the appropriate team leader before preparing it for judging.

[Steve P.]

Re: corvettes in primer

The SPEC Trim Tag in my cars case would only provide proof of colour as ordered by Yenko Chevrolet, as this is only back as far as Dealership records, I think I would also take a full 'hit' on colour on the Judging field, as per the 63/64 JG. I do however understand the importance of proof outside of normal factory finishes etc. when the NCRS judging standard is applied, so no real argument here.

I also have to admit its been over twenty years since I owned a C3 so I have to bow to superior knowledge here regarding their Trim Tags

Regards

Steve

[Mike M.]

Re: corvettes in primer

Hi Steve,
if I read your first post correctly, I believe your comment is accurate regarding the "Special" colors in M-Y's.
We have judged M-Y's in primer. The tags were stamped "Prime".
HaND

[Harmon C.]

Re: corvettes in primer

A 73 that was one of the 30 painted black at the factory was judged a Top Flight at Waco last year. The trim tag shows Spec paint.There is lots of proof that thease cars were factory painted by more than one tank sticker with the information needed for proof. This black coupe just sold on E-Bay for $39100. It had been in the Driveline at $50.000.

[Ralph S.]

Re: corvettes in primer

I worked at the railyard in Framingham Mass. from 1973 -1979 unloading the GM cars and i remember seeing Corvettes in primer. They had the rubber bumpers painted silver when they came in primer.I also saw some 73 Corvettes painted black.

[Stephen P.]

Re: corvettes in primer

While by no means an expert, I am interested in midyears wtih special paint. I've got a 65 coupe with a blank paint code. In Vette Vues Fact Book
of the 1963-1967 Stingray, on page 307, there is a similar trim plate for a
1966 Corvette with a blank paint code. The caption of the photograph states the following: "Trim plate from very rare 1966 delivered from factory in primer." I think that this car was documented. Additionally, on page 51 of the Corvette Black Book by Michael Antonick, 1965 Corvettes, 1965 Colors, the following statement is made: "Five 1965s had nonstandard paint, or primer."

[Gary B.]

Re: corvettes in primer

I was involved in this discussion mid year this year as to Black and primered 73's. I met a gentleman in Portchester, NY who claims that he ordered his 73 in primer,has the paperwork and had it painted black. He didn't have his vette at the cruise night and I haven't run into him since, but I keep looking so I can get his numbers.

[Chuck W.]

Re: corvettes in primer

In '66 Primer car trim tags were left unstamped for PAINT. See example of my car in Dobbin's book using my trim tag (Vette Views Fact Book referred to by Stephen Phillips) ...

http://albums.phanfare.com/4788455/2122242_2278882#imageID=29778362

http://albums.phanfare.com/4788455/2122242_2278882#imageID=29778283

I have been told that up to 12 in '66 could have been built w/ Primer or Special Paint.???