'69 Speed Warning

[Steve G.]

Just bought another '69... an air roadster with a list of options, including side pipes and speed warning.

I've never even heard of SW on these cars (I see it in the Black Book)... anybody have any info on it? Rare? Interesting? Anything?

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

Just bought another '69... an air roadster with a list of options, including side pipes and speed warning.

I've never even heard of SW on these cars (I see it in the Black Book)... anybody have any info on it? Rare? Interesting? Anything?

Steve-----


Well, the speed warning speedometer was somewhat rare. It was available only for the 1967, 1968, and 1969 model years and for each year about 10% of the cars produced were equipped with the option. I don't think that makes it REALLY rare, but it's certainly rather uncommon.

I remember very well it was one of the options I seriously considered when I ordered my 1969 convertible. At that time, I didn't even consider a big block option (I had previously owned 2 Chevelles with big blocks and, at the time, was TOTALLY fed up with them). I also didn't even consider side exhaust ("if side exhaust were standard equipment on a Corvette, I'd rather stick with the Chevelles or buy a Camaro"), louver trim ("double YUCK), air conditioning ("for WIMPS only"), shoulder belts ("I'd have to be nuts to order them"), rear window defroster ("for a Corvette; ridiculous!"), tilt-telescopic column ("for a Corvette; ridiculous!"), alarm system ("with a key cylinder screwing up the beautiful rear panel; forget it"), stereo radio (I don't want a Cadlliac; I want a Corvette"), deluxe wheel covers ("YUCK"), or power windows ("Once again, I want a Corvette, not a Cadillac"). I briefly considered power steering but quickly discarded the notion since in my mind at the time "high performance cars weren't supposed to have power steering" (I changed my mind about that 20 years later and installed power steering much to my absolute DELIGHT). I considered power brakes but I had driven Corvettes with power brakes and didn't really see much difference in braking effort or performance over standard brake cars. So, I decided to save the 40 bucks, or so, the power brake option cost.

I did consider the speed warning speedometer and redline tires, the only 2 options I seriously considered. But, I figured tires (OF THE DAY) only lasted a very short period of time, anyway, so I'd just save the 30 bucks they cost. Then, I figured the speed warning speedometer might end up being an annoyance. So, save another 10 bucks.

Bottom line: after 39 years with the car, the only option I wish I had ordered was the speed warning speedometer. Of course, I later purchased one and have it in the collection. Who knows, maybe someday I'll install it?

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

Speed warning and side exhaust are mutually exclusive options -- just as stereo or any other radio with side exhaust. You will never hear the speed warning or radio over the side exhaust.

I know because I briefly owned a 1969 with side exhaust and U69/79. The side exhaust sounded wonderful to bystanders, but had some serious shortcomings to the operator and passenger.

[Mike E.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

I have both a 67 and a 68 with speed warnings--didn't buy the cars because of them, but find them interesting. Other than those the cars are configured/optioned quite differently.

[Dave R.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

I have SW on my '69 and set it real low one day just to hear what it sounded like..........OMG I couldn't change the setting fast enough; what an annoying sound.

[Tom M.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

I have SW on my '69 and set it real low one day just to hear what it sounded like..........OMG I couldn't change the setting fast enough; what an annoying sound.

Just set it at 120mph ,

[Steve G.]

Re: '69 Speed Warning

Im still trying to get used to the side exhaust... first one of those for me... I can't imagine hearing the SW.