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What's the deal with (N14) availability in 1969? I have an early 1969 (SN-1024). I was told by the 2nd owner that the car originally had side exhaust. (Don't have the original owners name) I have the original tank sticker (very rough). Side Exhaust were not on the car when I purchased it, but the covers were given to me. Before I started my restoration, I examined the tank sticker, and swear that I read N14 Side Mounted Exhaust. I have since finished the resto, with Paragon reproduction Side Covers and an NOS exhaust system. I bought a copy of the NCRS Operations Manual & Performance Verification Test Guide. On Page 7, it says that (N14) was available only after 2/10/69. Could this car be an odd ball case, or did I make a mistake. I re-examined the Tank Sticker and it has degradated to the point where I can't make it out any longer. I really like the way they look and perform on the car. I wouldn't be interested in changing them now, but I'd just like to know the real story. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
I'm no real expert, but one nearly "fool proof" method of determining original 69 side exhausts is to look at both rear fenders. Side exhaust cars use a completely different rear quarter panel. With under the car exhausts, the bezel for the exhaust tip is cut half in the valence panel and half in the rear fender quarter panel. Side exhaust cars do not have the cut out for the bezel and the reinforcement for the bezel in the rear quarter panel. If there's any evidence of fiberglass patch work, it's probably an under the car exhaust system originally. I'm not familiar with date availability. Hope this helps. BTW, there are companies that advertise that they can restore your tank sticker. An article was in the Restorer a year or so ago. Chuck1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot Rod -
Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
I'm no real expert, but one nearly "fool proof" method of determining original 69 side exhausts is to look at both rear fenders. Side exhaust cars use a completely different rear quarter panel. With under the car exhausts, the bezel for the exhaust tip is cut half in the valence panel and half in the rear fender quarter panel. Side exhaust cars do not have the cut out for the bezel and the reinforcement for the bezel in the rear quarter panel. If there's any evidence of fiberglass patch work, it's probably an under the car exhaust system originally. I'm not familiar with date availability. Hope this helps. BTW, there are companies that advertise that they can restore your tank sticker. An article was in the Restorer a year or so ago. Chuck1963 Corvette Conv. 327/360 NCRS Top Flight
2006 Corvette Conv. Velocity Yellow NCRS Top Flight
1956 Chevy Sedan. 350/4 Speed Hot RodComment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
According the NCRS research there were no side exhaust cars before Jan. 10, 1969, for general order. One was built Jan. 4 for Harley Earl. See p. 40 of the current 1968-69 judging manual.Comment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
According the NCRS research there were no side exhaust cars before Jan. 10, 1969, for general order. One was built Jan. 4 for Harley Earl. See p. 40 of the current 1968-69 judging manual.Comment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
Just an interesting observation of an early '69 that was special ordered with side exhaust:
I am the second owner of a 1969 L89. It is an early car, 5XXX serial range, built Oct 2X, 1968 and I have the New Car Special Order from Harry Mann Chevrolet dated August, 1968. The original owner DID order side exhaust, but the car ended up not coming with side exhaust. The original owner told me that the salesman ended up talking him out of it some time after the original car order had been submitted, maybe due to safety reasons because of concerns of burns to human occupants, but it also could have been an availability issue.Comment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
Just an interesting observation of an early '69 that was special ordered with side exhaust:
I am the second owner of a 1969 L89. It is an early car, 5XXX serial range, built Oct 2X, 1968 and I have the New Car Special Order from Harry Mann Chevrolet dated August, 1968. The original owner DID order side exhaust, but the car ended up not coming with side exhaust. The original owner told me that the salesman ended up talking him out of it some time after the original car order had been submitted, maybe due to safety reasons because of concerns of burns to human occupants, but it also could have been an availability issue.Comment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
The N14 option was available through the Chevrolet dealer on all cars originally, but chevrolet issued a letter to all dealers stating that the side exhaust option was not going to be available until later that year due to problems. The Harley Earl car was one of the first cars order with the N14 option that is documented. I do have one of the earliest examples of the N14 side exh. option in my file and I believe it was about car 11500 or so .I will double check. I also have a 435 car #9801 and the only incorrect item is the N14 option which I added. One way to check for originality is to check the ground straps under the car by the middle crossmember. These straps were only used for straight exhaust cars, and so no tapped holes would be present on a N14 optioned car.Hope this helped JonComment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
The N14 option was available through the Chevrolet dealer on all cars originally, but chevrolet issued a letter to all dealers stating that the side exhaust option was not going to be available until later that year due to problems. The Harley Earl car was one of the first cars order with the N14 option that is documented. I do have one of the earliest examples of the N14 side exh. option in my file and I believe it was about car 11500 or so .I will double check. I also have a 435 car #9801 and the only incorrect item is the N14 option which I added. One way to check for originality is to check the ground straps under the car by the middle crossmember. These straps were only used for straight exhaust cars, and so no tapped holes would be present on a N14 optioned car.Hope this helped JonComment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
Just thought I would pass along some information I had in my files. A letter from Chevrolet to dealers stated: "RPO N14,side mount exhaust, will not be available for production at the assembly plant until approximately November 1st. Orders specifying this option should not be submitted until lNovember placements are due. I do have notes on a car about 13950, that was a one owner and appeared to have the N14 option originally installed from the factory. Hope this helps you. JonComment
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Re: 1969 Side Mount Exhaust (N14)
Just thought I would pass along some information I had in my files. A letter from Chevrolet to dealers stated: "RPO N14,side mount exhaust, will not be available for production at the assembly plant until approximately November 1st. Orders specifying this option should not be submitted until lNovember placements are due. I do have notes on a car about 13950, that was a one owner and appeared to have the N14 option originally installed from the factory. Hope this helps you. JonComment
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