1969 Early vs Late models

[Royce S.]

Hi,
I'm new to NCRS so forgive me if I am asking a stupid or redundant question. I recently purchased a 1969 L-71 roadster and have always wondered what differentiates "early" from "late" models. My serial number is 7170 so I'm pretty confident that I have an "early" model car, but what is it specifically that determines an early from a late car? Is it a serial number or a date or is it specific to various components and can vary from car to car.

Any help anyone can give me in clearing this up would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and I'm glad to be a part of a great group of people who love Corvette's like I do.

Thanks

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

Depends on which component you are talking about when you refer to early or late. No one item will determine whether the car is early/late.

[Don W.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

I have some GM documentation on the changes that occurred throughout the model year. However, that is boxed up somewhere. Rick Bizzoco's 1969 Stingray Guidebook list some of the mid-year changes. Those include:

• 427 wire loom bracket location changed
• door glass channel design changed
• windshield wiper door activator cylinder changed from round to double pie pan
• Headlamp switch knob increased in length and changed from hard to soft material
• exhaust manifold casting changed
• Vinly pull rongs added rear compartment doors
• multiple cooling system changes
• late 69 cars have 70 codes for alternator, distributer, rear axle, transmission and possibly other components (my late Nov '69 car has 70 454 heads)
• + a list of ~20 more changes that I don't feel like typing in

Don

[Michael W.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

Not a stupid question at all, the terminology is very misleading as it infers that there was a hard cutoff during the production calendar year where all configuration changes occurred simultaneously.

Some changes may have occured within weeks of production start, other within weeks of the end. I've long thought that 1st and 2nd design, or 3rd design in some cases would be better descriptors.

[Royce S.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

Thanks everyone this has really helped me understand what early/late means. And I do have the Rick Bizzoco's book which I have found to be very helpful.

[Graeme B.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

I have a July car,some parts early ,some parts late. I think '69 should be early , mid. ,late. Cheers, Graeme.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1969 Early vs Late models

Still, you go part by part on the issue of 'early' vs. 'late' part running changes and NOT by the general build date of the car. Also, on parts that experienced more than one running change during the production run, it's not uncommon for the service literature to distinguish them as 1st design, 2nd, design, 3rd design, Etc.