70 LT-1 Production

[Steven G.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

After reading this interesting discussion, I must ask "How do you know what is a pilot car ?", do all pilot cars have grease pencil marking to indicate a pilot ? I haven't found any such markings on my 70' vin.#9, so I assUme it is not a pilot car, but may be close to the first regular production car. Steve

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

What is the date on the trim tag of #9? I don’t have my files here at work, so I can’t look it up. If it is A05 you have a production car. If it is Oxx you have a pre-production car which may also be a "pilot" car.

The definition of "pilot" car changed in different model years, and in more modern times there were sometimes even several stages of pre-production cars produced -- particularly at the beginning of a new model series (say beginning of C5 or C6 production) when more cars are needed for testing & certification. The term “pilot” on the underbody or in ink-stamp on parts may or may not be significant. For example I have seen the ink-stamp “pilot” on 1968 interior pieces well into production, one car I know well in the s/n 3000 range. To get a definition of a “pilot car” that is lasting and consistent would require the skills of Houdini, and it is for that reason that I personally prefer the term pre-production as being more consistent and understandable.

Without my files in front of me, I believe it is 1970 #6 that MAY have been an LT1, but it does have the work “pilot” in grease pencil on the under body.

[Steven G.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

1970', #9, has AO5 build date, one of 113 built that Monday. Terry, Thanks for the pilot car trim tag info., that makes it clear. Steve

[John H.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

I've heard that MANY times before: "the strike caused..."

What's your source for this assertion? How do you reconcile that with the fact that only the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro model year change overs were delayed with the rest of Chevy's '70 models going into production in the summer of 1969?

And the Camaro delay was the result of a quarter panel draw die failure during die tryout, not any strike.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

Go Firebird!

John - did they continue the old model and or was Firebird affected too?

[John H.]

Re: 70 LT-1 Production

Go Firebird!

John - did they continue the old model and or was Firebird affected too?

The '69 model year production was extended (at the last minute - what a logistical/supplier nightmare that was) all the way into the end of the first week in November. Firebird was also affected (built on the same line at Norwood with the Camaro), but I don't recall how many Firebirds were built in the last three months.