55 Driveshaft Stencil?

[Dennis Fincham]

Hello,

This is my first post to the NCRS tech board however somthing has recently arisen at show any I have many questions. I have owned my white 55 for over 10 years now and have had it judged several times over the years. This past show I recieved a deduction of points for not having reproduced the driveshaft stencil. In the ten years that I have owned the car I have never seen nor heard of a 55 with a driveshaft stencil. When I restored many of the chassis markings 2 years ago with a kit from Quanta Products, the frame stencil was still somewhat legible and many of the chassis markings were quite faded, however I have never seen any stencil on my driveshaft.

Does anyone know why after 31 years the NCRS has decided that my 55 should have a driveshaft stencil? I called the company who made my chassis detailing kit and they said they have not seen 55's with a driveshaft stencil. According to the judging manual it should be "3712377", they said this is the stencil for the 56-62 something they have documented originals on. Has the NCRS come across new information or founded proof of said driveshaft stencils or is the new stencil requirement based on GM having most of it's parts stenciled with their part number by the manufacturer? I am more intersted in keeping my Corvette original than making the judges happy and while they should be the same thing, I have seen 55's pass with bright white paint, and other miniscule details that I feel are incorrect.

If anyone is familiar with this "new" judging rule and why it has been passed please let me know your input, I just find it odd that I have never been informed of this until now.

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 Driveshaft Stencil?

On this forum you may reach 1 or 3, 55 owners?? or any where else. Every re-issue of the JM will have neat stuff wrote up that I never seen or heard like the temp base having USA Or some thing on it that I having had many 53 to 55 never seen or have it on mine. Also many items that are in it are wrong. Of all the C1's 55 is the least known Corvette out there because there are so few left.( So why bother over little items on a 55).
With each JM change just change your Corvette to meet the JM (simple) play the game or???.By the way my 55 is missing the drive shaft numbers also!!!

[Mike E.]

Re: 55 Driveshaft Stencil?

I'm convinced that not every solid axle (55 included) had the driveshaft number stenciled on it. I had at least a dozen 62's while I lived in Southern California, (rustfree is the point) and only one of them had evidence of the driveshaft stencil.
Also, why would the driveshaft necessarily have had a stenciled number on it? It's not like the assembly line worker had to chose from a bunch of them and had to select the correct one. There was only one in any year for the solid axles. 3-speed, 4-speed, automatic all used the same.
Some times we jump to conclusions too readily. It's like the "pressure tested" stamp on the FI units--only a few had that--not every one in existence.
Judging, like umpiring, is a human process, and errors will happen, even when people are doing their best.

[Dennis Fincham]

Re: 55 Driveshaft Stencil?

Thanks for saying what i was thinking guys, you would think that an organization that prides itself with being "correct" would look at it as hey we've never made people do this stuff for over 30 years why start now. I geuss because it isn't a split window big block no one really gives a hoot.

Thanks guys, I'll just keep my Corvette the way i found it with no driveshaft stencil, The judges can mark me up for all I care but originality is my goal not points,(boy doesn't that seem wrong not getting points for keeping something original) my car was an Arizona car so that's why i figured it didn't have one in the first place.

"It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know."... Henry David Thoreau

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 Driveshaft Stencil? "Henry"

Dear Henry
They know everything about a 53 and 54 and with so few 55's left , well you know where I'm going ! You need to sell me that problem of a 55 so that I can install all the extra accessories I have left over on my 55.How many judges have ever seen a 55? it looks like a 54 ooor may be a 56 under the hood ooor you added the V8. I'd be doing you a favor taking that nasty 55 off your hands.