C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

[Gary S.]

First, I would like to thank the folks who responded to my last question on how to compress the front suspension springs on my 1958...worked like a charm! Now that I have the body off the frame, I've been checking things out pretty closely and it looks like the "tunnels" that the tail pipes run through are missing. I've just recently started looking for these pieces but haven't come across them yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, again Gary

[Jerry C.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

I think some or all 58's did not have them.

[Kevin T.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Some time ago, I had a car duster in the trunk of my 59 that ended up sliding into the cavity of the driver's side rear fender well. The heat from the tail pipe "tunnels" scorched the threads of the duster. I may have narrowly escaped creating a combustion in the trunk. Needless to say I now have any such loose items in the trunk stored in a small box that sits in the trunk. Are there supposed to be some type of panels that cover the tail pipe tunnels from exposure to items in the trunk? Thanks. - Kevin

[Gary S.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Kevin, There are floor panels that extend to the outer fender which are screwed down with with a body caulk in between panels and the trunk floor. Bought a pair of them but I'm not sure where...it may have been Grossmueller's.

[Gary S.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Jerry, Thanks for the info. Do you know where I can go to find out for sure or if those pieces are available somewhere? Thanks again, Gary

[Jim D.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Gary, Are these an aftermarket items? I've never seen them or even heard reference to them in the assembly manual or any other publication. My 60 never had any holes in the trunk that weren't accounted for.??????????????????

[Bill H.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

My first Corvette was 58 #6045 and it didn't have the "tunnels". To my knowledge 58 Corvettes were the only year that had access holes in the trunk for the rear tailpipe connection. (My 57 has the tunnels.) As stated before, these access holes were covered by a fiberglass panel which extended to the body sides. I've also seen #858 that had metal panels attached with clutch-head screws!

[Ted S.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Corvette Central carries the fiberglass tunnels part number 321235. These are listed for '56 - '58. My '58 currently doesn't have tunnels in place but it sure looks like something was there at some point. My '60 had metal tunnels and I have to believe the '58 had something there also. I can't see why GM would have tried to seal around the rear bumper bracket if they weren't sealing around the exhaust cut out also. How are the fiberglass tunnels attached in the '56 - '57s? I'd like to look for any indications of a similar attachment on my '58.

[Gary S.]

Re: C-1 Tail pipe "tunnels"

Ted, Thanks for the info. I called Corvette Central and they do have those pieces in stock and they are fibreglass. Grosssmueller's has used metal ones in stock as well (for '59s and '60s). I've done a cursory look at my car and don't see evidence that these pieces were ever on the car. The frame however looks as though at sometime there was an "off road / side exhaust" system used. My restorer said he'd never seen one with that setup so we decided to remove those to get frame to the "original" setup. ??? I guess we'll never for sure. Thanks again for your help, Gary