Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

[Ervin Schlepp]

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

The 68-69 TIM&JG indicates that the date code "VL" decodes as December 1974. This info came from the 2nd edition as the 3rd edition doesn't go beyond 1969. Just as a precaution against a typo, "LV" decodes as March 1969.

The 68-69 manual also uses the 12-month rule. I would think that the 12-month rule would apply to all vehicles built around this general era. Just because NCRS split models into specific groups (68-69, 70-72), doesn't necesarily mean that GM changed their inventory system, plant procedures, etc. during the same time frames. I don't know if the rule should be extended for 1970 Corvettes, specifically, because it's possible that LOF didn't strike and kept building windshields, even though they weren't put on the vehicles.

Based on the date code, dated after vehicle build, I would think that the windshield is not original.

[Ervin Schlepp]

Re: Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

The date code is "LV" March 1969 and the assembly was stopped in March and April 1970 for weeks at a time due to strikes. My Corvette was built about a week after the end of the last April strike delay. So the windshield is not date coded after the car build date.

I am still concerned about replacing an original windshield with a correct date coded used one. All the other inforation on glass type etc. is correct. This is not a repo in the car or a latter windshield with different glass data.

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

Ervin, your original post indicated that your windshield was dated coded "VL", but this last post shows that the windshield is coded "LV". "LV" is indeed March 1969, and if your windshield is coded "LV" then it is possibly an original.

It is feasible that the original was replaced early in the cars life with a used unit, which would explain why the windshield is outside of the 12-month rule. I don't know much about windshields or their installation, but you may want to examine the 'glue'. There may be a way to tell an original GM installation from an aftermarket installation.

I suspect that the windshield is original, and unless it's unsafe, shouldn't be replaced at all, regardless of the date code. The 12-month rule is just that - a rule. There were alot of irregularities which occurred at the St. Louis plant during those times. There are plenty of examples of late-year cars receiving early-year components because the workers were getting to the bottom-of-the-barrel, figuratively speaking.

There was a post recently about frame stencils. One of the posts quoted a book, which said that frame stencil dates should preceed build date by approximately 2 weeks. In response, another individual said that his frame stencil date was well outside the 2 week window, and just because a book said it should be this or that, doesn't mean anything. If it's original, it's original.

Of course, cars are judged not my popular books, but against the NCRS tech manuals. They go on to say that any irregularites are to be proven by the individual owner. The only thing I could suggest is to document windshield dates on cars around yours and see if there are similarities. Good luck.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

I have never looked close at an original 69 winshield instalation to see what the seal looks like. I can tell an original 73 winshield instalation without checking the date code. The factory use something that looks like cloth on the seal that can be seen looking thru the glass. It has a yellow tint with age and I have never seen an original not removed windshield glass without this.It would be hard to duplicate the look. Others could check to see how many years had the cloth like material on the seal. Lyle

[Ervin Schlepp]

Re: Windshield Date Code Judging Delema

I am going to ask Juliet to post a request for windshield and side glass date code data from registered 1970 Covette owners on the 1970 Corvette Registry Web site and see what we can find out related to this matter. This will hopefully shed some light on the issue.

I have traced the ownership all the way to the original owner (Chevrolet- Florida Zone Managers Brass Hat(Company Car))using the MSO copy and spoken to each one. I ask about accidents and original options including if they knew of any replacements. Only one minor accident that broke the divers side front grill and lower front fender and side marker. When the car was restored the stripped body agreed with this and I replaced the drivers lower fender with an NOS part. I must admit that I did not specifically ask each one if all the glass was original at the end of their ownership.

I took the windshield out during restoration taking extreme care and time to repair the typical C3 rusted / rotted windshield frame. I can tell you it looked like an original installation which I could not fully duplicate.

Thank you both for your input. I will post you on the results and the final out come. For now the current windshield stays until better definition of originallity is determined.