What is a 69E and and a 69L

[Jim M.]

I've noticed on some parts listings that I need to specify whether my 69 is an E or an L and I'm trying to figure what that is?

[Michael P.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

how about Early or Late in the production year?

[Greg L.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

It will depend on the part that you are refering too as "early" and "late" is more of a subjective term.

For example "early" for the front grills is, I believe, before around s/n 15000(Feb-69). Early for the hood release cable mounting is somewhat later in the production year. The vertical door glass rear weatherstrip on coupes actually has a "early", "mid" and "late" version...

Clear as mud?

The best thing for you to do if you are wondering which version of part you need is to ask here before you order the part. That's what I do.

[Jim M.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

Thanks guys. Right after I wrote the thread the little light went on and thought that sure was a dumb question. The question came from looking to order a new weather strip kit for my car and I'm guessing that since mine was built the last couple months in 68 that it would be an early model.

[Greg L.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

Never think a question is too stupid to ask Jim.
I would guess that the vast majority of parts on your car will be considered "early" so you should be safe in that regard. I don't know how accurate you are wanting your door weather strips though because there is no authentic repop of the early 69's. It seams that the first few months(at least until Jan 31-69) used a slightly different seal than the 68 and later 69s.

[Michael B.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

The change was the weatherstrip physical design, and as is with most of the early vs late parts, will fit throughout the production year (and a half for 1969).

Now you need to decide if you want it to look exacty correct and use a design that somebody thought didn't work right, or go with the better, latest designed configuration.

[Greg L.]

Re: What is a 69E and and a 69L

That's a good point Michael and I guess it would depend on what the car's NOW intended use would be.

For my purpose I would have gone with the "design that somebody thought didn't work right" but since finding a NOS set that was only produced for a few months 40 years ago would be slim to none, I settled on the late 69 and on style.

The pics show the difference. Obviously the clean one is the new one and the old crappy one is, well, my original.

Oh and for what it's worth later isn't always better. Sometimes the parts were redesigned to reduce manufacturing costs, change of vendors and tooling, etc. The change in the interior door handles from early and late 68 to 69 and onward would be a good example of a part that wasn't designed right. On the other hand the change from the early to late 69 grills would be to reduce costs and was just cosmetic.