69 L89 automatic convertible value

[David S.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Mike,

Before spending a dime on this car be sure to use a knowledge source to inspect the car. I know Al and Drew both hold very prestigious positions in both the NCRS and Bloomington. I do not know Kevin but I would assume the same for him. If you want a fourth source to contact, call Kevin MacKay of Corvette Repair in NY. I know he deal with rare race-cars, high performance models and seldom seen Corvettes.

-Dave

[Dennis S.]

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
That picture from John of the gang holder is really cool. Here are pictures of my transmission case and engine stamp pad. Notice how the VIN derivative is exactly the same in both stampings, as evidenced by the next to the last digit "7" being slightly raised above the rest of the gang. I happen to have the original window sticker as well as the tank sticker still on the gas tank. I know, these lowly L36s are quite far down on the possible forgery totem pole...but they can provide valuable information as to how a real car should look.
Dennis

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

This car does have closed chamber heads. It surprises me somewhat that Cheverolet didn't change everything over to the new design. I guess this was before the days of just in time inventory and they used up the old stuff even after the new stuff was in production.

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

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

I can see what you are talking about. Here is the trans stamp pad. I'm not sure I see anything other than a straight line.

Mike
That picture from John of the gang holder is really cool. Here are pictures of my transmission case and engine stamp pad. Notice how the VIN derivative is exactly the same in both stampings, as evidenced by the next to the last digit "7" being slightly raised above the rest of the gang. I happen to have the original window sticker as well as the tank sticker still on the gas tank. I know, these lowly L36s are quite far down on the possible forgery totem pole...but they can provide valuable information as to how a real car should look.
Dennis

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Rich here are the trans tag and the stamp on the trans (which matches the VIN)

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 P.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Mike everything looks good so far the CY trans is like hensteeth to find!!!!! They don't repro the tags!!
31,000 a pretty late car to boot. See if you can verify that it has a 6 bolt torque converter. Hows the body thats the most expensive part to restore on a car.
Did you find the 3 holes for the T-I amp in the dr front fenderwell?
Does the added floor /trans tunnel recess look original, glue and all?
Other simple things to look for are original rear sway bar hardware, big block caps on the rear with original bolts, 6500 redline.

Like I mentioned before the motor stamp is all your documentation at the moment so see if it matches the trans.

Rich

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

It does have the 6 bold converter and the TI is installed in the firewall. It has the 9/16 rear sway bar with original type links, caps for the u joints and 6500 redline.

The body is pretty good but obviously not perfect. It looks OK in its dull paint but I'm sure it needs *some* work. Doesn't appear to ever have been hit.

What am I looking for in the tunnel? The only photo I have that shows part of the trans tunnel is attached.

Mike everything looks good so far the CY trans is like hensteeth to find!!!!! They don't repro the tags!!
31,000 a pretty late car to boot. See if you can verify that it has a 6 bolt torque converter. Hows the body thats the most expensive part to restore on a car.
Did you find the 3 holes for the T-I amp in the dr front fenderwell?
Does the added floor /trans tunnel recess look original, glue and all?
Other simple things to look for are original rear sway bar hardware, big block caps on the rear with original bolts, 6500 redline.

Like I mentioned before the motor stamp is all your documentation at the moment so see if it matches the trans.

Rich

[Rich P.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

The way the paint is peeling it looks like original paint or 1 repaint ontop of original paint. Also It looks very original it still has the headlight shields. I see it has power breaks any other options?
If you have a 69 AIM look under the M-40 section the factory cut out a section of the trans tunnel and glue in a section aproximately 12" x 8".

Rich

[Mike R.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

The paint on the car is orange but the car is supposed to be red. The car has PS, PB, PW, F41, chrome louvers as well as TI which I understand is required with the L89. I have commited to buy the car and ordered the manuals but don't have any books on 69s yet. I will be going out of town for a couple weeks starting tomorrow. I wish I had a couple days to strip the car and send the frame and suspension to the powder coater but that will have to wait!

Thanks to everyone for your information and advice.

Mike

The way the paint is peeling it looks like original paint or 1 repaint ontop of original paint. Also It looks very original it still has the headlight shields. I see it has power breaks any other options?
If you have a 69 AIM look under the M-40 section the factory cut out a section of the trans tunnel and glue in a section aproximately 12" x 8".

Rich

[Michael D.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

...What am I looking for in the tunnel?...

AT cars got a bump out panel installed in the tranny tunnel so the TH400 would clear the underbody. Not the best pic, but you can see the panel at about where the passenger's left foot would be.

AIM shows the size of the hole to cut and how to bond in the panel.

[Gary J.]

Re: 69 L89 automatic convertible value

Another thing that I would be worried about is the windshield frame rot, investigate carefully!