early vs late 69

[Kenneth G.]

hello all,

I had posted a question a while back about the windshield wiper door air cannister for a 1969 around vin # 25,XXX or so. I asked this question because the shop that is completeing the body and engine compartment on my 69 viewed the judging guide and felt that the "pie pan " type cannister was correct. Most of the responses on this board said that for their original 69's, in this vin range, the "coffee can" type was present (which i tend to agree with from cars/books i have looked at). This led to a debate (friendly) with me and the shop owner over the terms "early" and "late", since the judging guide says that a "late" 69 gets the pie pan and early gets the coffe can. The shop onwner felt my car (at 25,XXX) was a late car and thus the pie pan ("anything over 15,000 is 'late' "). I disagreed and said that I thought late meant about 30,000 plus. Any thoughts on this debate and what everyone thinks about my vin range, the judging guide and the cannister that would be correct. Thanks!

Kenny #31871

[Joe L.]

Re: early vs late 69

Kenny-----

The terms "early" and "late" really have no precise definition, at all. It more relates to the particular component or system that's in question. In other words, there is not some point in the VIN range which defines "early" and "late". There may be a point in the VIN range which more-or-less defines "early" and "late" with respect to a change of a specific component or system.

In the case of the w/w door vacuum cannister, I can tell you, for sure, that my original owner, mid September build 69 with VIN of 29,000+ had the "coffee can" style cannister. I don't think that the dual pie pan came into general use until October or November build cars.

So, for instance, my car was an "early" 69 with respect to the wiper door cannister, but a "late" 69 with respect to the battery (side terminal), radiator support, and other components.

[Scott Butville]

Re: early vs late 69

I owned #31666 (early Oct) which had the coffee can actuator. I cannot swear it came that way, but the the guy I bought it from talked to the owners before him and was told it was.

[Larry E. Howard]

Re: early vs late 69

Kenny,
Does you car still have the mounting bracket for the actuator? My car 251XX did and I thought my car was late so I bought the pie pan and it didn't match the bracket. The coffee can did! the brackets are different too.

[Joe L.]

Re: early vs late 69

Larry----

Yes, the actuator brackets for the 2 different style cannisters are different and the brackets are NOT interchangeable. You can use the "dual pie pan" on 68 and "early" 69 cars, but the bracket must be changed.

[Kent K.]

Re: early vs late 69

I agree with Joe. Early vs. late is dependant upon the part as supplied to assembly line operations. My one-owner '69 was built about August 8th and has the original "coffee can" actuator.
Kent