St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

[Robert R.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

Tom,
During one of the tech sessions at the St Louis meet, Jack graciously gave me the build date for (at the time) my '67. He asked for one of my business cards and to put the serial number on it. At the end of the session, he wrote down the production date (4-13-1967) and handed it back to me.
Just when and how did this incident occur because I can't seem to remember any incident that would have triggered the comment.

[Loren L.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

I think Jack's "system" was even simpler - just recording the VIN of the last completed car every day. I remember Jack's cooperation at the St Louis Swap Meet in 1981 - and there were certainly folks there that deemed it "important". I know of one person who had ventured into the abyss of lack of 1956 production information who returned home, got the grinder and the stamps out and "recalibrated" his engine assembly date.
The information would also be authoritative on Saturday production, beginning/ending of production in and around strikes, etc. Tom Parson's previously published '56 date of production certainly can be used to show that 1957s were NOT being built on that date.

[John M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal



Re: the well known hobbyist initials AG; If we are on the same page in the identification of these initials I can tell you that AG was not the individual that told me this story, and I cannot believe he would sit on this information if he had it. I have been in contact with AG on several different subjects regarding documentation and he has always been willing to help and share information.

If this information is in the hands of a well-known hobbyist, why is it being sat on and not made available?



Save the Wave ------------

JG Mattson

[Tim L.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

Is Jack Knudsen's wife's name Barb and they lived in St. Charles, MO? If so, I knew them long ago as a youngster. Did they have a 54?

Tim

[Edward M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

OK, just to put this issue to rest...

I have spoken to Jack Knudsen's widow Barbara a number of times about this information. The information is currently in the possession of Jack's children.

The last time I spoke with Barbara, the family was planning on "publishing" this information one day, but they were all very busy with other things.

I offered to assist with the publishing, since I own a publishing company (updated Lime Book is in the works), but they were not yet ready to part with the information or the plan to publish it themselves.

I periodically touch base with Barbara (and it is time to do so again) to see where they are with the info.

Yes, it would be great if the info was in a museum or otherwise available. That may happen one day, if we are careful.

After having spoken with Barbara a number of times, I am pretty well convinced that a bunch of people bothering her about this would really irritate her.

I am treading lightly around this issue.

Rest assured, if I get the info, and the Knudsen family concurs, it will be available to all.

[Edward M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE, in my mind, is the status of the data that Mike Hunt collected over the years.

Is anybody following up on that?

The last I heard, Mike's computer (some variant of a Mac) had died, and the data was on that machine. Data can be retrieved from a dead Mac; I know, I've done it.

The machine was possibly in the possession of Mike's sister?

For those that don't know, Mike Hunt collected an enormous amount of data about 56 and 57 Corvettes. He passed away a few years ago, way too soon.

[Joseph T.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE, in my mind, is the status of the data that Mike Hunt collected over the years.

Is anybody following up on that?

The last I heard, Mike's computer (some variant of a Mac) had died, and the data was on that machine. Data can be retrieved from a dead Mac; I know, I've done it.

The machine was possibly in the possession of Mike's sister?

For those that don't know, Mike Hunt collected an enormous amount of data about 56 and 57 Corvettes. He passed away a few years ago, way too soon.

Much of it was published in Vette Vues!

Just prior to his motorcycle accident he told me a friend had pretty much a copy of all the data he collected over the years.

Joe

[Edward M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

Much of it was published in Vette Vues!

Just prior to his motorcycle accident he told me a friend had pretty much a copy of all the data he collected over the years.

Joe

Any idea who the friend is? Some of Mike's data hasn't been published.

[Tom P.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

It's my understanding that Ken Kayser has some, much or all of it.

[Edward M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

It's my understanding that Ken Kayser has some, much or all of it.

10-4, thanks Tom.

[Ronald L.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

Is Ken the source for C2 data too?

[John M.]

Re: St. Louis Plant Build Date Journal

OK, just to put this issue to rest...

I have spoken to Jack Knudsen's widow Barbara a number of times about this information. The information is currently in the possession of Jack's children.

The last time I spoke with Barbara, the family was planning on "publishing" this information one day, but they were all very busy with other things.

I offered to assist with the publishing, since I own a publishing company (updated Lime Book is in the works), but they were not yet ready to part with the information or the plan to publish it themselves.

I periodically touch base with Barbara (and it is time to do so again) to see where they are with the info.

Yes, it would be great if the info was in a museum or otherwise available. That may happen one day, if we are careful.

After having spoken with Barbara a number of times, I am pretty well convinced that a bunch of people bothering her about this would really irritate her.

I am treading lightly around this issue.

Rest assured, if I get the info, and the Knudsen family concurs, it will be available to all.

Ed





If they sell the Journal, it will be a taxable gain that they will need to report on their Form 1040 tax return. This I was told had several different conditions that I think are better left to the Pro than me trying to explain them here.

If they give the Journal to another individual, it is just given as a gift.

If the Journal is donated to the NCM, the fair market value at that time is deductible to the family for tax purposes. The Journal would need to be appraised for fair market value by someone knowledgeable of Corvettes and the value of such documentation. If the value is over $5,000, then a written appraisal is needed. If under $5,000 a written appraisal is not needed, but if the value approaches $5,000 it is recommended that a written appraisal would be a good idea anyway. Again, the tax laws are better left to someone that understands them. This could also be set up as a memorial to Jack. As a side; NCM Board Member John Pirkle knows my wife.

If there are any legal implications of concern, those would be better left to an attorney.





Save the Wave .......


JG Mattson