1970 versus 1971 gas caps

[D S.]

1970 gas caps have only the word SEALED on them and the 1971 has the same word but also a red metal sticker that says something like Caution Open Slowly. While cleaning a 1971 gas cap the metal sticker fell off essentially making the 1971 cap a 1970 cap. Right? Everything else looks the same. Are the 1971 reproduction stickers okay?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Alan S.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Hi Scott,
The reproduction tag is quite good. The size, shape, and color are true to the original. The word CAUTION looks to be spot on, but the words OPEN SLOWLY are slightly smaller. If a person really knew his tags he might be able to see the difference on the judging field. It's so minor I don't think I'd make a deduct.
Regards,
Alan

[Warren F.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Actually the reproduction metal decal for the 1971 gas cap is not exactly correct. The noticeable difference is the lettering size, it is slightly smaller and narrower in font style. Next the end edges of the metal decal is tapered, the originals are straight cut. After examining the reproduction versus an original it is fairly obvious to spot the incorrect decal plate.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Scott,

You said that the metal sticker "fell off". Did you lose it? If you didn't lose it, can it be reattached?

Thanks.

[Steven G.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Scott, I have both, 70' and 71' other than caution decal, I have not found any difference. Steve

[Mike F.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

I just bought a repro 71 gas cap from Paragon (along with some other items) for my 70.
The 70 gas cap listed in their catalogue is incorrect and you can't buy a 71 gas cap minus the sticker. So I had to buy a 71 gas cap and remove the sticker. They also sell the sticker seperately.

Paragon couldn't explain why either.

Mike

[Warren F.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Scott,

You said that the metal sticker "fell off". Did you lose it? If you didn't lose it, can it be reattached?

Thanks.

Ken,
The original metal sticker came attached using a very thin double sided yellowish tape material. They can be re-attached using a variety of adhesives I suspect.

[Warren F.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

I just bought a repro 71 gas cap from Paragon (along with some other items) for my 70.
The 70 gas cap listed in their catalogue is incorrect and you can't buy a 71 gas cap minus the sticker. So I had to buy a 71 gas cap and remove the sticker. They also sell the sticker seperately.

Paragon couldn't explain why either.

Mike

Only the really late '71 built Corvettes seem to have a gas cap with the words OPEN SLOWLY CAUTION stamped into the cap; otherwise I believe all had the decal.

[Gerard Q.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Just for reference the original gas cap from my May built 71.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Warren, yes, I have an original '71 cap that I purchased about a year ago. It had the metal label and was attached with the yellowish two sided tape. I may have misunderstood Scott's question. I thought that he was saying that he had a '71 cap and the sticker fell off, but after re-reading his original post, I see that he was asking generally about the sticker replacement, and not specifically about a gas cap that he owned.

[D S.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Did the early 1971 gas caps start showing up in late built 1970 Corvettes? The JG references early 1971 gas caps as if the gas cap changed sometime in 1971 to the 1972 version.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Scott

I would not expect that very late 70 would have the 71 design cap but we have not seen all 70 cars. There were some changes to the gas tank for 1971 model year due to the addition of the charcoal canister EVAP system. We have seen very late 71's still having the read label on the cap. I would expect there is no hard date for the change of the cap towards the end of 71 production.

Paul 18046

[Tom H.]

Re: 1970 versus 1971 gas caps

Hey guys. Got in on this one a little late. For what it's worth, here's the original cap on my January 71 coupe.