Original Sidepipe car

[Ron Hambrecht]

I recently purchased a 67 BB w/sidepipes. The car has 58,000 original miles. My question centers around judging requirements for determining original sidepipes. I have read in a previous Restorer about the 8 steps in determining originality. My question is this:
One of the steps mentions looking for "plugged" exhaust holes in the rear valance. My car meets the other criteria, but I can't find any evidence of "plugged" exhaust holes in the valance. Is it possible that a virgin valance could be on the car ? I don't believe the valance was ever replaced. I have a tank sticker that lists side exhaust.

[Michael H.]

Re: Original Sidepipe car

Ron,

If your car shows no sign of plugged/filled holes in the rear exhaust panel, that's a sign that the car IS a genuine side exhaust car. Many side exhaust conversions from years ago would likely have holes filled by the person that did the conversion. The original factory side exh paned had no holes to begin with.

Michael

[Ron Hambrecht]

Re: Original Sidepipe car

Thanks for the clarification Mike.

[Geoff C.]

Are you aware of repro tank stickers?

Sir:

There is a member in this chat room who offered reproduction tank stickers as part of his Corvette / Pontiac used car sales business. They were 3 classification offered, at approximately $50 to $150. The most expensive offering was referred to as an Aged Tank Sticker and included photos of examples illustrating torn, stained, wrinkled tank stickers. I would not put extreme faith in this lone document as hereditary proof of anything but origin from wood pulp.

I think you have miss-read how to interpret the side exhaust valence panel clue. If the valence panel is filled in, then that panel was from a car with standard exhaust. If the panel never had holes, then it’s from as side exhaust car. Since it take moments to swap them, they are only a clue.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Ron Hambrecht]

Re: Are you aware of repro tank stickers?

Thanks,

Yes, I did mis-read that initial explanation. My rear panel DOES NOt have filled cut out holes.

The car was purchased from a very reputable Corvette reseller who had the car previously. The tank sticker was examined by Al Grenning, who concluded that the sequence number on the sticker is within that 100 car VIN range for my car.

I am aware that repro tank stickers are being offered, but this tank sticker was around well before these starting popping up.

[Donald O.]

Re: Original Sidepipe car

Check your trim tag as well. If you have an AO Smith bodied car it defintely did not come with side pipes. If it is a St. Louis boded car it could have come with side pipes. But you knew this...

Don

[Donald M.]

Re: Original Sidepipe car

Donald, please enlighten an old guy as to why an AO Smith car could never be a "piper".Thanks!
Don

[Jack W.]

Re: Original Sidepipe car

N14 - sidepipe cars required a unique birdcage - all orders for such were allocated to St. Louis.

John Hinckley is the source of my understanding on this, here is some more depth if you want:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=2&pp=20

[mike cobine]

I hate to contradict Michael

but how long does it take to bolt in a sidepipe rear valence?

I wouldn't put that up as "proof".

Back to Ron,

The tank sticker I'd put more faith in, under the following conditions:

1. It never passed through one of the high-buck Corvette dealers.
2. The sticker is still on the tank, and the tank shows signs of never being removed.
3. You have the trail of owners and none of them have removed the tank/restored the car/were in the Corvette sales business or there were only a few of them. Still, my '67 had 8 owners in 7 years, and at the time, I believe the sidepipes were original. Of course that was before they were worth $150,000. More like $2000.
4. The car isn't loaded with high-buck options, i.e., a 300 hp, 350 hp, 390 hp, and not a 400, 430, or 435 hp.

It is also easier to prove the sidepipes are NOT original than to prove they are. To make a sidepipe car, you have to do lots of things. But no one changes those back on a sidepipe car, such as the rocker panel braces are not added and bent out of the way on a sidepipe car, no one threads the holes in the frame where exhaust hangers would mount, no one hangs grounding braid straps under the car if no undercar exhaust was mounted, no one puts a patched and filled valance on a sidepipe car, and so on.

[Michael H.]

Re: I hate to contradict Michael

Actually, your not contradicting Michael at all because Michael didn't say anything about the rear panel verifying the fact that it makes it a genuine side exh car. Just that it would have to have the correct panel in order to qualify for such.

[Jack W.]

better link

hate the fact that I cannot edit posts.

the link I posted puts you one page into the sidepipe - AO Smith topic, and the advice from John is on the previous page, this link takes you straight to the correct page, scroll down a bit to JohnZ's post:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&page=1&pp=20

[William V.]

Re: better link

Jack

Excellant information on sidepipe cars.

Thanks

[mike cobine]

Apology for lumping

As I have received a few comments from some for lumping all Corvette dealers into a questionable field, I should say I'm sorry if I offended you and clarify the comment.

Corvette dealers come in all types, just like people. Some buy their cars from auctions, polish and clean until they shine like a new penny, and sell. Some actively pursue certain cars to provide special cars for their customers. And a few have been known to discover the 300 hp that came in one month was really a 435 hp a few months later.

Of course, there are individuals who have been just as fortunate to discover their 300 hp was really a 435 hp, also, so it isn't just a dealer trait.

So just because a car goes through a dealer is no reason to doubt it. However, as in most things in life, check out the dealer, check out their history, and make your own decisions.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Varification of Side Exhaust

Send me clear detailed pictures of the front and rear panel cuts and I will tell you if it is or if it aint.