69 L89 automatic convertible value

[Mike R.]

I have an opportunity to buy a fairly complete 1969 L89 automatic convertible. The car was originally red/red and has ps, pb pw. The only documentation is a notarized letter from a man that owned the car in 1972. All numbers match. Supposedly there were only six 1969 L89 automatic cars built so there are not many comparables. Thanks for any thoughts.

Mike

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

My first thought is "how does anyone know how many L89/M40 convertibles were built?"

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

I would inspect the car, verify the numbers matching are correct, try to figure out what it would bring the car to the condition you desire. It is very hard to put a value on a car with many unknows. Provenance is worth quite a bit on cars such as the one you are describing and a letter from a previous owner does lend much credence toward that.

Car could be worth more in parts, up to $75k, more depending on the condition. With what little information you have given, $20k at the most

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Thanks, It is a tough decision. The L89 cars I have seen go at auction have gone for 50-100k but as you get to the upper end, the cars have really extensive documentation. awards ect. My main mental stumbling block is whether an automatic is worth more or less than a manual. On one hand it is rare but that doesn't always mean desirable.

[Robert G.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

I find it hard to believe that only 6 of the 300 '69 L-89's were automatics. That info needs a source before it can be believed.

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Good point.

Mike

I find it hard to believe that only 6 of the 300 '69 L-89's were automatics. That info needs a source before it can be believed.

[Rich P.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Mike,

my suggestion to you is to have AL Greening verify the stamp on the motor. That is your best source to document this car if it is a restamp then you have no proof that it was real. I have seen noterized notes that were falsified. I'm not saying this one is but you need to be made aware of that. Next look to see that it is the original CX or CY tag on the trans along with the serial # stamp on the trans. Take high resolution pictures of the vin stamps on the motor and trans and make sure they were done at the same time with the same gang holder. If the car is apart and not running ask if you can remove the passenger side head to verify the broach marks. All 69 L-89's had closed chamber heads not open make sure they are original.
Finally if you pass let me know the info I would be very interested these don't come along every day!!!!

Finally finally there is a guy in Ohio (Scott or Kevin) I forget his name but he has been making a 68-69 L-89 registry for 20 plus years give him a shout. I have done 2 69 L-89's and I have a sweet spot for them!

Hope this helps, Rich

[Mark D.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

There are two members that have extensive research/files on the L89s (and others). They are Kevin Cavanaugh and Drew Papsun.

Regards,

Mark

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Thanks Rick

How can one tell if the trans and engine were stamped at the same time? Also, "gang holder , were individual letter and number stamps held in a fixture for stamping? How do the fixtures differ? I stamp my dogs tags in SSteel and I would sure like a holder to get the spacing better!

This is mostly a financial deal for me. I don't want another car to drive around (current ones are already neglected). The current owner was willed the car by a friend but does not have time to complete it. The deceased owner had most of a build sheet but nobody was able to locate it (even after SERIOUS looking). I was hopeful that an automatic L89 might be rare enough to be really valuable. The cars seem to be worth $50-100K but I have not seen an automatic one. The upper end cars are all restored, have extensive documentation and have done well in judging..

It looks like I need a lot more info before making a decision.

Mike,

my suggestion to you is to have AL Greening verify the stamp on the motor. That is your best source to document this car if it is a restamp then you have no proof that it was real. I have seen noterized notes that were falsified. I'm not saying this one is but you need to be made aware of that. Next look to see that it is the original CX or CY tag on the trans along with the serial # stamp on the trans. Take high resolution pictures of the vin stamps on the motor and trans and make sure they were done at the same time with the same gang holder. If the car is apart and not running ask if you can remove the passenger side head to verify the broach marks. All 69 L-89's had closed chamber heads not open make sure they are original.
Finally if you pass let me know the info I would be very interested these don't come along every day!!!!

Finally finally there is a guy in Ohio (Scott or Kevin) I forget his name but he has been making a 68-69 L-89 registry for 20 plus years give him a shout. I have done 2 69 L-89's and I have a sweet spot for them!

Hope this helps, Rich

[John H.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

How can one tell if the trans and engine were stamped at the same time? Also, "gang holder , were individual letter and number stamps held in a fixture for stamping?

Mike -

The VIN derivative stampings on the engine and transmission were done using a gang holder with individual character dies; the stamping was done immediately after the transmission was bolted to the engine. Photo below shows the gang holder used at St. Louis.

[Tom M.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Mike,

my suggestion to you is to have AL Greening verify the stamp on the motor. That is your best source to document this car if it is a restamp then you have no proof that it was real. I have seen noterized notes that were falsified. I'm not saying this one is but you need to be made aware of that. Next look to see that it is the original CX or CY tag on the trans along with the serial # stamp on the trans. Take high resolution pictures of the vin stamps on the motor and trans and make sure they were done at the same time with the same gang holder. If the car is apart and not running ask if you can remove the passenger side head to verify the broach marks. All 69 L-89's had closed chamber heads not open make sure they are original.
Finally if you pass let me know the info I would be very interested these don't come along every day!!!!

Finally finally there is a guy in Ohio (Scott or Kevin) I forget his name but he has been making a 68-69 L-89 registry for 20 plus years give him a shout. I have done 2 69 L-89's and I have a sweet spot for them!

Hope this helps, Rich

Rich, I didn't know that all the L-89 cars were closed chamber heads,
Late 69 L-88 had open chamber, thanks for the info
regards Tom

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Thanks Rich. The car is supposedly *very late* production (I think 10/69 or something like that. Would it still have closed chamber heads?

Mike,

my suggestion to you is to have AL Greening verify the stamp on the motor. That is your best source to document this car if it is a restamp then you have no proof that it was real. I have seen noterized notes that were falsified. I'm not saying this one is but you need to be made aware of that. Next look to see that it is the original CX or CY tag on the trans along with the serial # stamp on the trans. Take high resolution pictures of the vin stamps on the motor and trans and make sure they were done at the same time with the same gang holder. If the car is apart and not running ask if you can remove the passenger side head to verify the broach marks. All 69 L-89's had closed chamber heads not open make sure they are original.
Finally if you pass let me know the info I would be very interested these don't come along every day!!!!

Finally finally there is a guy in Ohio (Scott or Kevin) I forget his name but he has been making a 68-69 L-89 registry for 20 plus years give him a shout. I have done 2 69 L-89's and I have a sweet spot for them!

Hope this helps, Rich

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

The only open chamber aluminum heads were on the L/88.

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Thanks, something to check.

[Rich P.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Mike+Tom,

like Dick said only late L-88's had open chamber heads.
Life is funny sometimes. I have not mentioned the L-89's I had done in years. Then this thread pops up and this morning I had the owner of the first L-89 I restored walk in the door (whom I had not seen in years). Asking my advise on possibly selling it. I said hold on to it for a few more years. It is a sweet car real deal no bs tank sticker, P/S, P/B, speed minder, fender louvers, redlines and 4:11's. Gold Coupe black gut 20 year old lacquer still looks like the day it was painted.

Rich