09/04/2017 05:44
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Updates and Corrections As I've poked and prodded, I find that I need to correct at least one item. But I have good things to say as well.
First, the wire wheels in the picture are 1970 Zenith wires. Apparently Jim? Zenith was THE man for wires on the West Coast. They are knock offs and in terrific shape with true, roadworthy 1978 vintage tires & tubes (they don't even leak!). The previous owner (courageously) ran them on short trips for a year. I did for about 4 days before some new rims/rubber replaced them.
The car ran just fine with it's Q4 69 spark wires and 77-78 AC Delcos.
The side exhaust was genuine GM. But the driver side center had quarter sized corrosion defect (the rest was great) so I replaced the covers with Paragon repos. That's when I found out the insulator is glued to the cover with some greenish epoxy. Some careful prying separated all with no damage.
Anyway, after a lot of scutiny with the NCRS judging manual I've found these other non-original items:
From original Vegas owner - Almost correct 1977 service carb replacement (it's an ET for an auto), larger (looks brass) radiator, original rear shocks replaced with (still working) air shocks, finned aluminum valve covers (GM correct) for a 350hp/370hp (who can blame him), a complete trim removed change from Bridgehampton blue to Tuxedo black (Vegas nights baby).
The second owner (heroically) stored it for 35 years, moving around enough to keep everything loose.
The third owner was not really aware of what he bought at that estate auction. But to his credit, his miserly nature kept the changes well contained. He replaced the gas tank, fuel pump, cap/coil/rotor/points, and three cheap calipers along with a generic master cylinder. Luckily, the guy helping him with the tank told him he ought to keep the (nearly illegible) tank sticker. But I believe they may have ditched the spare and likely cut the lock (rats!). He did have the original owner's manual.
The fourth owner (me) verified that I am/was missing these additional items - original keys (except I found one underneath the never used jack), one headlight washer nozzle, one adjusting bolt from the t-tops, original floor mats, haven't found a build sheet (I haven't looked very hard), most of the extra engine heat shields (all brackets in place), original seat shims and all the 'new car' dealer stuff. I did put a modern group 78 battery in the well (can't hook up the two original vent hoses :)
The good news is that is the end of the list. With the exception of only a few replacement trim screws the rest checks out as all original (according to NCRS manual). Every hose, clamp, switch, light bulb, wire, tanks (coolant, vacuum, washer), glass, upholstery, belts, weatherstrip and plastic all looks and works as (28k mile) new (with the exception of the jack...it's compartment had a condensation issue which rusted up only the jack and retaining hardware....solenoids still look pretty good).
But I really drive all my Vettes so all the big original stuff (engine included) is getting documented, yanked, and inventoried. Have no fear, not one new hole will appear. The next owner can take it back to how I found it with little effort. It'll be fun. |