Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

**Harmon C.** · January 1, 2003, 09:40 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

The more paper work the better and if the original owner is living and can be located for his input then it may be worth big bucks . Condition is always a factor, it would be neat to see .

**Chas Kingston** · January 1, 2003, 09:52 AM

Re: BE CAREFUL HERE

I upgraded my gold '69 350/350 to 350/370 specs over the July 4 weekend of '70. Did the whole nine yards, including tach face. Sold it to buy a '66 427/425 (in sick-cat-upchuck green). Many years later, I was offered that car for sale (at a Corvette shop) as one of sixteen LT-1s made in 1969. I asked certain questions that no one but a former owner would understand; then I told the guy that I had made the conversion. He was most unhappy that everyone in the shop then knew that he had been misrepresenting the car.

That car was quite quick; everything that a 350/370 should be. But, I sold it as a converted car, not some factory special.

Geezer

**Art A.** · January 1, 2003, 09:54 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Chuck, What was the "selling" Engineer's name? What was the "engineering sequence number and production number?

Art

**Chris H.** · January 1, 2003, 10:36 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

I concur with Lyle. Talk is cheap, especially in the old Corvette world. As Reggie Jackson would say, "Tissue", as in paperwork, is the operative word here.

That being said, if this guy can also dig up previous owners to verify the story, it would be quite neat.

**Duke W.** · January 1, 2003, 01:01 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

I'm a bit skeptical. The LT-1 was announced or mentioned in press articles for 1969, but it never made it to production. I suspect Chevrolet was not able to complete development and emission certification, so it was just postponed to 1970.

If we take as fact that the LT-1 was never certified for the '69 model year then it would be illegal for GM to sell a LT-1 engine in a Corvette.

The conversion itself is fairly easy as all one has to do is change the cam, inlet manifold, and carburetor on a L-46 to bring it up to LT-1 spec. Oh, an you have to install a BB hood, too.

Duke

**Harmon C.** · January 1, 2003, 02:09 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

This whole deal has many issues and on reading the original post again it talks about a 69 prototype LT-1 but dosen't say it is titled as a 69 but I would sure like to see all those numbers on the pad or other places.

**Chuck G.** · January 1, 2003, 04:49 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

I EMailed the gentleman and asked several questions: The name of the engineer/original owner. Is he available to document the story. Is there paperwork (window sticker, tank sticker, etc.)

Also asked the VIN, and the engine casting numbers and date. I also asked about the info on the stamp pad, AND the "engineering numbers"...i.e., where are they stamped on the heads and block, etc. Haven't heard back from him yet. Chuck

**Chas Kingston** · January 1, 2003, 06:23 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Duke

Also, swinging gate pan, screw-in valve studs w/ push-rod guide plates, tachometer face, intake manifold for the Holley, AIR pump and exhaust manifolds, and maybe a few other things that I have forgotten over the 30+ years.

Geezer

**Tom R.** · January 2, 2003, 06:35 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

I believe we love to read about specialty Corvettes and learn our initial reservations are unfounded but it is all about documentation as Chuck knows.

Recently on another forum, someone was asking if we knew about the "Cowboy" 78 Corvette. It had a fancy paint job in the color scheme of the Dallas Cowboys and was built for someone back in the 70's. The current owner had not pictures, no newspaper articles, etc.

I had to kindly report that when we did our surveys and interviews for the 78 tech manual...we never came across the story or the car. To make the point, I used the example of the 69 Astronaut Corvettes with their pictures, stories, etc to show these cars were built for the three astronauts of Apollo. Of course, it helped that window sticker showed speciality paint.

I forget who it was but a fellow in North Carolina discovered a prototype yellow ZR1 car in Germany. Someone stumbled across it in a junk yard the fellow in NC had some relationship with someone...both formed a partnership to rebuild the car. Well, ZR'1 were tested in Germany and it was Porsche (?) who set up the test plan for the ZR1 and I guess when this wrecked...just dumped the car. Now, GM destroys the car or something.

Anyway...these stories are great

**Chuck G.** · January 3, 2003, 06:38 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Here's the info I received about the car:

1. Marvin Stroven was the original owner/Chevy engineer. He just retired from Ford. He wrote a letter in June, 1990 stating the history of the car.

2. Block casting # 3923386. Casting date H188. Head casting # 3917291. Casting dates for both heads G58.

3. Engineering numbers. 19634-9-B. This was stamped apparently on the block and both heads. They were "crossed out" by chisel marks, but are still visable. On the heads, this number is followed by LH and RH. V0218HW 120V was also stamped underneath the crossed of numbers on the block.

4. VIN # 182XX It's a coupe.

5. No window sticker or order documents.

6. This car was built for final validation of the cooling system for LT-1's.

I'm still unsure about the placement of these numbers. I'll EMail him back, as I'm unsure as to exactly what is "stamped" on the stamp pad, and what is stamped elsewhere on the block and heads. Thoughts? TIA. Chuck

**Harmon C.** · January 4, 2003, 10:00 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Chuck I think you should start a new thread with the new info. as much intrest as their was the first time now with lots of numbers someone should have comments.

**Clem Z.** · January 4, 2003, 11:55 AM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

i was been able to get development engine parts from the engineers at the "race shop" but they never said anything about whole cars. i guess i was not connected good enought.

**Art A.** · January 4, 2003, 02:33 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Chuck, I have been tied up in a family crisis and have not had a lot of time to look into this, but here are my first impressions------Marvin Stroven does not ring a bell, and I checked with some other CEC Engineers and they don't recognize the name either, I will check further. The Engineering numbers, 19634-9-B, appear to be a Build or Design ( can't tell by just the numbers, I would have to look at the WO's themselves) Work Order number. The 19634 would be the base WO number and the "-9" would probably be the engine portion of the WO and the "B" would be the second engine on that WO-----they were lettered for tracking purposes, -A, -B, -C, -E, etc. Most prototype engines were hand built in the CEC Engine Room and shipped to ST. Louis and installed in a particular vehicle. IT WOULD BE VERY UNUSUAL FOR A PROTOTYPE ENGINE TO BE LEFT IN A VEHICLE WHEN SOLD to the public,from the Engineering fleet. I'm not saying that it never happened, but it WASN'T the normal operating procedure.

IF, the vehicle was a prototype, and I emphases, IF, and was sent directly to CEC (Chevrolet Engineering Center) there PROBABLY wasn't a window sticker applied to the vehicle. Most prototypes were shipped directly to CEC via in-house shipping in enclosed GM company trucks.

Art

**Chuck G.** · January 5, 2003, 02:17 PM

Re: Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Thanks, Art. I'll await your further research. I haven't yet heard back about the specifics of where these numbers are.

In a previous EMail, he stated: "There was no intention of ever selling the car so there were no window stickers or order documents. It was strictly for final production validation on the cooling system".

Interesting?? Just MIGHT be something. Chuck

Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

Prototype 69 LT-1 ?

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