C3 Vacuum Canister markings

[William M.]

On a 1973, Judging Guide says "A black stamped serial number and red ink dot are easily visible on the canisters". What is this serial number and what is the prefered method of replicating it and the red dot?

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

Which vacuum canister?
There are a few, you know.

[William M.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

Which vacuum canister?
There are a few, you know.

The ones that raise and lower the headlights

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

The black stamped number is a date code about 1/4" tall and installed with a large stamp used in the period with rollers so any date for all year could be set up. The mail clerk would stamp incomming mail in the old days with a smaller version of the same stamp. The red dot is 1/4" or less and usally near the welded in tube. A red fat maker will make a mark that should be ok.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

The red dot is not dark red, like a marker would make, but opaque like is made by a product named "Dy-chem."

[William M.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

The black stamped number is a date code about 1/4" tall and installed with a large stamp used in the period with rollers so any date for all year could be set up. The mail clerk would stamp incomming mail in the old days with a smaller version of the same stamp. The red dot is 1/4" or less and usally near the welded in tube. A red fat maker will make a mark that should be ok.

What is the format of the date? Julian? Judging Guide doesn't say. Thanks.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

Month -- in three or four capital letters. JAN
Day
YYY -- 1970 for example.

You might want to check with knowledgeable 1973 fans about the date. By 1972 the incidents of dates on the headlight actuators were few and far between.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

Month -- in three or four capital letters. JAN
Day
YYY -- 1970 for example.

You might want to check with knowledgeable 1973 fans about the date. By 1972 the incidents of dates on the headlight actuators were few and far between.

Agreed.
I was thinking the same thing. I'd be sure that it "really" happened and that it's not a JG urban legend.

I own examples of canisters with - and without - the date stamps and the red dots. Neither of the original 72s in my garage have a date stamp or a red dot.

Patrick

[Bob D.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

Bill

I've been working on some data regarding dating of headlight cannisters. As others have said dating was spotty. I have found very few date stamped cans beyond early 1971 model year Corvettes. As a piece of anecdotal evidence, I bought my 1971 Corvette from the original owner in 1972. One of the headlight cans was dated, and the other was not. Both are original to the car.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Vacuum Canister markings

The examples I have seen for 73-74 are julian date 3 spaces then the last diget of the year like 235 4
For a Bowtie car it is what it is. For a restored car you can date the canisters or try to get the judge not to take the deduction because the judging manual you think is wrong. I take the easy way out and date them and never got a deduction for matching the manual on this item.