Messages

1306

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Frt Bumper Stamp

« on: July 05, 2014, 03:10:09 PM »

While helping a friend several years ago with touching up 7K mile original '68 SS, I discovered that his original rear bumper was stamped with a production date - April 1968, large font. May build car if I remember, featured in at least one of the Camaro books (Hooper's, I believe). Car was phenomenally original - unfortunately, I did not take any pics while the car was stored at my house (prior to cell phone cameras). You'll have to take my observations as proof, but it was there.

The rest of the story - the owner didn't like the original chrome-over-nickel patina on the factory bumpers, spent a lot of money and had them rechromed - his choice, not mine. He also had the 100% original paint touched up for some flaws.

You're only a survivor one time -

Regards -

1307

General Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday 69Z28

« on: July 02, 2014, 03:43:06 AM »

Happy Birthday Gary !! 1953 was a good year for Camaro guys. George

How right you are -

Happy Birthday, Gary - 20 days behind you for my 61st. Love the pants - at least they're sitting on top of the F-O-R-D.

Regards,
Steve

1308

General Discussion / Re: Original dealer info for 1st gens is available

« on: June 30, 2014, 07:28:47 PM »

Got my Pace Car dealer info today - Courtesy Chevrolet, Houston, TX Dlr. 149, Zone 30. When I bought the car in W. TN, the owner stated that the car was a Western car all it's life (shows it), still had Nevada plates on it. Supposedly owned by an AA pilot based out of Dallas.

Now, if we could only get the early info my small collection would be covered -

Regards,
Steve

1309

Originality / Re: Green tip dipstick

« on: June 30, 2014, 04:11:20 AM »

2-69 dated, not '68 like I thought I remembered. Early number -

Regards -

1310

Originality / Re: Trunk Lid Identification

« on: June 30, 2014, 04:05:54 AM »

My late great NOS lid - whoever has it got a good one.

I will try to add a pic of my Nov. '69 L78 lid tomorrow, which might give an earlier window. I also can look at my 03C Pace Car, and the 01C X77 to see if there is a two-design lid here.

Regards -

1311

Originality / Re: Green tip dipstick

« on: June 27, 2014, 01:19:22 PM »

 came in the box with my 1969 dated NOS 302 pan.

Regards -

Not intending to HiJack, but I have never seen or heard of a dated oil pan? Where would date be located?

If you'd like to split hairs, we determined it was not a '68 pan, but an NOS pan for a '69 302. Maybe I should have worded it a little differently, but it is what it is. When I get back home, I'll be glad to look up the thread and the part number again and post it.

Regards -

1312

Originality / Re: Green tip dipstick

« on: June 27, 2014, 01:08:13 PM »

Instruction sheet, box and the old part number that was superseded in the early 70's. Part number only showed for a couple of years if I remember correctly. I'd have to go back and look to see, but I think the instruction sheet is dated 1968, the stick was a '68 number, too. I think we determined it may have been a generic stick at the time if the first thread.

1313

Originality / Re: Green tip dipstick

« on: June 27, 2014, 03:38:18 AM »

A couple of pics - flat tip original is on the bottom in one pic, "GM 6041" is the other.

The other sticks are NOS earlier ones, including the grey tip that came in the box with my 1969 dated NOS 302 pan.

Regards -

1314

Originality / Re: Green tip dipstick

« on: June 26, 2014, 05:04:11 PM »

I was one of the respondents on the original thread's poll - 01C Z with the flat tip, marked "use GM 6041".

The only two green tips listed in the poll were November 68 cars - interesting. Maybe the line ran short that month and used a secondary vendor or supply ? Possible, but I think all were marked with the "Use GM 6041" stamp on the stick -

Regards,
Steve

1315

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Are these numbers good .. 69 Z ?

« on: June 23, 2014, 03:52:19 AM »

The 'location' of the stamps wrt the head are a bit different than I'm used to seeing..  Perhaps JohnZ, William, or Kurt can comment on the gang stamp and if they can get this close to the head with the head installed??   Usually the stamps are more near the front edge of the deck than these...

Getting the casting dates, and all other info would be helpful in making an originality determination...

I thought the same thing Gary.

X3. You just couldn't get the holder that close to the head while installed on the engine, even at an angle.

What's up with the deck surface, too - looks like it's been shot blasted, or needle scaled ? Rough as a cob.

1316

Restoration / Re: A.I.R Smog Diverter valve

« on: June 23, 2014, 03:47:36 AM »

Last I knew, Don was rebuilding the valves and selling them to Bill.

Might explain why prices escalated sharply after Don moved on. He had priced things affordably, great quality, good work and attention to detail. Whatever the blow up was, it sure changed things. My guess is the same as your statement - he didn't turn loose of everything (he was one of the first or the first to offer the white fans for pumps, which are still around through a lot of vendors). Systems were complete right down to hoses, bolts and gaskets, dated/part numbered for around $895.00 originally, if I remember correctly (been a few years !).

Regards - 

1317

Restoration / Re: Bumper Finish

« on: June 23, 2014, 03:33:32 AM »

Use something to neutralize the rust and just spray it with chrome spray paint to protect it.

Do just that, or bead it and paint with either chrome or flat silver. Looks better than rust any day of the week.

I actually did that on my rear guards after re-chrome just to protect them better. Most chrome shops don't finish the backside (unless you are paying for it with a higher price).

Regards -

1318

Decoding/Numbers / Re: Fake or real DZ stamp and partial Vin ?

« on: June 18, 2014, 03:39:30 AM »

My understanding is that GM's broaching machines weigh many tons... I doubt these 'replicators' have that sort of machine available to them, and if they did.. my question would be..  how much material do they 'broach' off to remove all traces of the original stamping, machining, etc..?   I suspect they might fool *some people* with their approach...  but not all..

Excello LaPointe rack broaches are huge - individual racks, made up of many broach segments, can weigh thousands of pounds and stand 10-12 feet in length (and more). Machine bases and hydraulics are enormous. You're right - most of these guys that do this mill the blocks, and then work the surface to approximate broach marks (which you can usually spot right off).

The "real deal" pic above does show the result of milling - the curved lines you see are the result of the feed rate of the milling machine, and the ridge left by the insert radius on each circular revolution of the cutter. Whoever milled this one knew what they were doing - the mill lifted when it got to the stamping, a very light cut just to square the surface and clean it up. I'd bet the owner was relieved to see that -

1319

General Discussion / Re: What's it Worth..?

« on: June 18, 2014, 03:23:14 AM »

I'll take a shot -

Really does remind me of my Z by description, a lot of similarities. Documentation and born with engine are a plus, car should bring about $25-30K or a bit more unrestored, but that's just my opinion. Non-original drivetrain would drive the price down to $15-25K depending on condition and further documentation, but since you've got what you have, I think the price is fair. I haven't seen it, so it really is a guess based on looking at a lot of cars for sale.

I've seen prices on restored versions go from $40-55/60K for exceptional cars - I'm sure you can find cars outside of this range in both directions, like the linked Corvette Bronze original in the thread (which is a right nice piece to be sure).

Beauty and value are always in the eye of the beholder (or enthusiast).

Regards

1320

Decoding/Numbers / Re: DZ stamp

« on: June 17, 2014, 04:30:35 AM »

Difficult to tell for sure - stamping appears correct, but the block surface looks a little weird. No real obvious evidence of broaching lines - surface almost looks shot peened, or blasted, but it could be O.K. I don't think the Van Nuys VIN stampings ever made it to the block side as did Norwood's above-the-filter stampings, so at least that matches.

Without a larger view of the deck surface, it would be difficult to pronounce a verdict one way or the other. At least no decking lines visible -

Regards