69 coupe dual exhaust reinforcement plate-missing?

[C5Phil]

I have an early build LOS coupe (09A) that shows all signs of originally being an "SS"- EXCEPT it does not have the reinforcement plate for dual exhaust- Is it possible that early builds did not receive the plate until production had already started?

[69Z28-RS]

The existence of that plate is one of the primary  'identification' points for determining if a car was an original dual exhaust model (ie. SS, Z28, etc)...  What other means do you have to verify it was originally an SS model?

[C5Phil]

I have no other info. except that it has a BL coded 12 bolt rear end (currently a 3:55 posi) but that code was for a 3:07 open rear end.
My guess was it might be an LM1- but no proof. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[KurtS]

Phil,
Same people answer both forums, btw.