-
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Geoffrey----
The 68-72 front center brace is a curious piece. First of all, I believe that the one pictured is the 70-72 brace for just the resons you described. However, there were not TWO of these braces; they're were FOUR. Here's the deal:
In 68-69 PRODUCTION, brace GM #3938080 was used. In 1970-72 PRODUCTION brace GM #3963129 was used. However, NEITHER of these parts was EVER available in SERVICE. For 1968-69 SERVICE, the part number was GM #3914260. This piece was discontinued from SERVICE in October, 1969 and replaced by GM #3980824. The GM #3980824 also continued to be the SERVICE brace for 1970-72 models. So, there were FOUR different part numbers.
It will require scrutinization of known originals to discern just what the differences are. I don't think that the part numbers are stamped on the piece so that makes identification of PRODUCTION known-originals difficult.
What we do know is that the GM #3980824 will SERVICE all 1968-72 models. So, that brace is completely interchangeable with all other braces. I expect that the 70-72 PRODUCTION brace (likely, the one you have pictured), will interchange with the 1968-69 piece. However, I also expect that the 1968-69 PRODUCTION brace, GM #3938080, and the initial 68-69 SERVICE brace, GM #3914260, will not interchange with the later braces.
Why there were FOUR different part numbers for this part baffles and intrigues me.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
This is all good information. I wish I would have known this earlier. I have an early 68 (Nov 67). The part number in my AIM is GM #3938080 as stated. However, my center brace has an "L" shaped bracket welded to the back of the center brace with another bracket that attaches it to the front reinforcement. My AIM shows no "L" bracket on the back of the center brace and no bracket to attach to the front reinforcement. Instead the AIM shows a rod GM #3938060 which attaches to the front reinforcement and the radiator support.
This counfused me to no end because my car did not have this unknown bracket and also had no provision to attach the rod to the radiator support. I was enlightened by another in the early 68 community.Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Most AIM drawings are fairly faithful to the actual parts anatomy, however there are no absolutes in Corvettes.
Geoffrey CoenenComment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Larry:
My February-built 68 has an odd L-shaped bracket on the back of the center front bumper brace also. I thought it was one of Bubba's improvements to GM's original design, but perhaps its not. Can you can take a picture of yours and post it here?
Thank you.Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
My May built car has the same L-shaped bracket. It belongs there! What it is for, I don't know. But, I have seen pictures of 68 corvettes in early GM photos showing it there one being I think in the overhaul manual for 68. The other maybe in one of those dealer technical service updates that showed a picture of the front underside of the car.
Once when I was scrounging through a junkyard of various corvettes (extremely picked over stuff) I came across a 68/69 car that was mostly in a pile. I found that front brace with the L-shaped bracket and it had another bracket bolted to it that looked like it may be for a light for the front license plate or something. But I brought that idea up once and got shot down on the board about that. I just ran across it in a little baggy the other day.
I just went and looked at it. It bolts right onto that L-shaped bracket. It also says made in Canada on it??? If someone wants a picture of it and thinks they can identify it, let me know.
Later, TerryComment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Doc.....The one pictured is the same as my original on my 72. The license bracket mounts to the 4 holes. Two of the holes are for the bolts, the second 2 holes are for the alignment tabs on the license plate bracket to keep the bracket straight (perpendicular) to the front of the car. Hope that helps...Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Terry:
My car had a bracket bolted to the "L" bracket also! What the heck can it possibly be for?
Yes, I would very much like a picture.
HenryComment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Terry, that's it! The Made in Canada bracket bolts to the center support "L" bracket and then up to the nose reinforcement. My car had the crusty remains of the Made in Canada bracket, I bought the rod that was used on later cars but there was no hole to bolt it into the radiator support. I have since fount the Made in Canada bracket in pretty good condition. I have never been able to find a part number for it.
I do have all of these pieces out of my car. I will try to post pictures of the ass'y tonight.Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Email me and I will send a picture of it later this week....doing the work thing now. Like I said, I think it was for a light Something special for cars that were exported to oh Canada. TerryComment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Larry my original owner February built 68 has the samde support and brackets you have described.Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
Intesting, I would never had know that. I wonder when they moved away from it. So, it must have attached to the underside of the nose tip. Hmmm. TerryComment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
My 68 has the L shaped bracket on the support with another bracket bolted to it and does not have any holes in the support except to mount the front license frame. My 70 has a different support,original as well, that has no bracket attached to the support at the front like the 68's, but it does have the rod that attachesto the front of the support and attaches at a lower point in front of the radiator. It has the additional 4 holes to mount the two brackets for the center grille. Also has the holes to mount the license bracket.Comment
-
Picture of 68 Brace Ass'y
This is a picture of the 68 brace/bracket assy as discussed earlier in this thread.
Comment
-
Re: 68-69 v. 70-72 center front bumper brace
My car is mid May built and it has the L-shaped bracket but the made in Canada is not there, instead I have the rod that runs from the radiator support to the underside of the nose of the car.
So, I suspect change started between Feb and May???
Interesting info. TerryComment
Comment