How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

[Steven H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Dunno, mine sits up fairly well as it is.

The composite has to be better performance; I don't think that's an issue.

[Michael W.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Dunno, mine sits up fairly well as it is.

The composite has to be better performance; I don't think that's an issue.

I see you read a lot of posts over on CF- keep in mind that anything that GM engineered can easily be outdone by somebody sitting under a shade tree.

[Steven H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

The reverse of that is true as well; I've seen many things no one can make as well as GM.

[John M.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

I think he's being facetious.

I think.

[Steven H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Maybe I was as well

[Michael W.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

I think he's being facetious.

I think.

Yes I was. Very few aftermarket parts (the composite spring included) has been thought through completely from a systems point of view. Again read the stuff over on CF with guys trying to get their car to ride and handle properly.

[Steven H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Anyone know how much a stock 69 spring weighs?

I'm going to guess in the ball park of 75 pounds?

[Patrick H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

The previous owner of my 72 had the rear spring replaced because he thought the back of the car sat too low. 3-4 years later I bought the car and thankfully was able to retrieve the original spring from his mechanic's "junk pile" just days before he moved. I reinstalled it and it has been perfect since then. Car had 57000 miles on at the time.

The car definitely sat too high with the repro. With the original back in place it sits perfectly - and the previous owner now agrees.

FYI, I'd love to debate why you think this is true:
"My car will never be point judged. A high caliber detailed driver. Restored with correct detail, but with enough reproduction parts to make judging unrealistic."
However, I know that wasn't the point of your thread so I'll leave it alone. I just want you to think about that sentence.

Patrick

[John M.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Coincidentally, I've been giving that some thought since I posted that statement.

My car is relatively original with all of its correct pulleys, brackets, Fan, fan clutch, block, heads, intake, carb, radiator etc. Most of the interior is original as it was a 57000 mile car.

The smog and shielding was missing as well as the horns and headlight bucket switches. Everything I replaced was from Paragon and I've tried to remain true with regards to correct head markings etc. The Smog was cobbled together with a 71 pump and a reclocked Diverter Valve with the rest reproduction. All of the suspension components were purchased from Bairs which are likely true to form, but likely deducts on originality.

I had no choice but to convert to side exhaust. What's the point of having a Black 69 without Redlines, Louver trim and side pipes?

I wouldn't mind trying for a second flight or something similar and could possibly do so with some work. I may have to judge once and correct, but I guess its possible.

Maybe I'm over estimating the difficulty in scoring.

I'd be estatic with a second flight.

[Jim C.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

John,

I know not everyone in the Corvette world is an absolute purest. I would love to say that every part on my car is original to the car, but that's simply not true. When possible, I would ALWAYS opt for restoring the original part and putting it back on the car. If I couldn't restore the original, then I'd try to go for an original, correctly date coded (if the part had a date code), correctly configured part. If I couldn't find that, then I'd go with the best repro I could find, with the thought of continuing to search for an original that I could restore. I currently have several repro parts on my car. I'm always looking for original parts to replace them with.

You have your ORIGINAL spring!!! Restore it and put it back under your car. Of course you're not obligated to follow the NCRS motto, but I think it says something like, "Dedicated to the preservation and restoration etc. etc. etc." You get the point. Put the original spring back on the car.

By the way, I know a guy who essentially rebuilt a 1965 Corvette from the ground up using TONS of repro parts. He got Top Flight with no problem.

Happy and safe driving.

Jim C.

[John M.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

I agree the original Spring is a no brainer... I just needed help working through the thought process.

Thanks.

[Steven H.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Since I took the pics; thought I would post them in here.

[Michael W.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Maybe I'm over estimating the difficulty in scoring.

Probably so, but another function of judging is to learn about the car, gaining bits and pieces of info that owners may not be aware of.

[John M.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

That looks very salvagable. You have a nice clean start as well. Mine was a 57,000 mile car and amazingly, every bolt simply cracked loose in the rear with a 3/8" ratchet.

Except the large differential bracket which required an 8' breaker bar.

Enjoy yourself when you get to that point, especially when the breaker bar pops off when you have full body weight on it

[John M.]

Re: How to identify Original 1969 Rear Spring

Probably so, but another function of judging is to learn about the car, gaining bits and pieces of info that owners may not be aware of.

I'm sure I'll have a 3 page list.