69 shock and rim questions...

[Greg L.]

My car originaly had the ralleys on it so I was wondering if the spare should be a ralley or a plain?

Now a tougher question, could someone recommend a supplier for correct standard shocks that will pass judging? Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 shock and rim questions...

Greg-----

All 5 wheels (4 road + spare) installed on all 1969 Corvettes were identical rally wheels.

There is no current shock absorber available for Corvettes that is exactly the same in configuration to the original shocks. Delco Gas Charged shocks are as close as you're going to get until a true reproduction shock absorber comes on the market. How much of a judging penalty the current Delco shocks might incur, I could not tell you.

[Jack H.]

Deduction(s)...

The way I look at it, Delco service replacement shocks generally violate the Configuration axis (different model & PN emboss) as well as the Date axis (originals were embossed with date codes), so that's a loss of 20 + 20 = 40% of available originality points. Then, if they're painted properly there's no loss on the Finish axis of originality. Bottom line, 40% of the handful of points allocated to shock absorbers isn't much compared to the nosebleed price you'll pay for real McCoy NOS original shocks that just happen to be date coded to match your car. Plus, the ride you get from modern gas filled shocks is outstanding compared to the original hydraulic shocks!

[Greg L.]

Re: Deduction(s)...

Thanks guys.

Joe, would you happen to know which other chevs used these ralleys? I'll need one for my spare so I just wanted to make sure that I go hunting in the right places. They seem pretty common but I just wanted to make sure that there isn't something corvette specific about them.

Jack, Delco service replacement it is then! I've been trying to figure out which areas of my restoration will give me the most points for money spent but I find the whole learning curve very steep. Is there a publication, judging sheet or some other info that I could get to explain all of this? I have the judging reference manual for my year but I can't find were it says, for example, how many points shocks are worth. When I seen something will take a 40% hit I think, man that's alot of points! But if it's only out of say 10 points, then I'm only losing 4 and 4 from 4500 is no big deal but if it's say 100 points...see where my confusion is? Any guidance that you could give me here would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[John H.]

Re: Deduction(s)...

Greg -

If you e-mail Roy Sinor, National Judging Chairman with your request, he'll send you back the complete set of judging sheets for your '69 in .pdf format that shows the originality and condition point allocations for each area of your car. His e-mail address is on page 3 of the "Restorer" or click on the "Contacts" button at the top of this page.

[Joe L.]

Re: Deduction(s)...

Greg-----

No other passneger car used the exact same "AZ" rally wheel as 1969-82 Corvettes, although a few used wheels that were very similar. I don't think that any of the passenger cars wheels were 8" wide, though.

No matter, the Corvette wheels are very easy to come by. They've been a popular retrofit wheel for other cars for years. As far as I know, they're still available. Look for a Hayes Wheel dealer and ask them for an 81982.

[Greg L.]

Re: Deduction(s)...

Thanks John.

Roy sent me the sheets today...they are just what I needed. Thanks again for your help.

[Greg L.]

Thanks again Joe *NM*