1969 Steering column sticker

[Dave R.]

Quite a few years ago I had a 1969 Corvette and I distinctly remember it had a sticker on the steering column; not sure what it said but I have seen other 1969's with the same sticker.
I have recently purchased another '69 Corvette; this one with tilt-telescopic wheel but, it does not have that sticker.
Can anyone tell me what that sticker is for and, if I could find one for my car, would it be any different for a tilt-telescoping steering column?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Steering column sticker

Dave------

There were 2 different versions of the label which cautioned regarding the steering column interlock, first used for the 1969 model year.

The early version, printed on a white label, included the following:

"As part of the new column locking feature, it is normal for the mast jacket shift bowl to rotate when shifting the transmission. However, do not attempt to rotate the shift bowl by itself as damage to the shift linkage will result"

The later version, printed in white on a clear label, reads:

"This is a rotating interlock. Do not manipulate. Damage may result"

In very late 1969, the rotating column shifter bowl was replaced with a non-rotating design and the label disappeared entirely. My original owner 1969 with standard column which was built in mid-Septemeber 1969 does not have the rotating shifter bowl on the column and never had a label.

I'm not sure if the bowl on the tilt-tele columns was ever of the rotating type. If so, there would have been no label on any.

[Kent K.]

What is considered very late?

Joe wrote that his original owner 1969 mid-September build never had the warning label on its steering column and that "In very late 1969, the rotating column shifter bowl was replaced with a non-rotating design and the label disappeared entirely." What is considered "very late" or when was the rotating column shifter bowl replaced with the non-rotating design?

I have a mid-August (one previous owner) unrestored 1969 and have not seen evidence of this warning label and, since I have not driven the car, have not observed whether or not the column shifter bowl actually rotates when shifting gears.

Thanks for your help.
Kent #6201

[Terry M.]

Re: What is considered very late?

Kent,
The bowl does not rotate when shifting gears, unless you count shifting gears as when going into reverse. It rotates (on those applicable cars) as part of the gear-shift/column lock system when the transmission is put in reverse in order to remove the ignition key.

[Mark #28455]

approx 18000 still has label

My very late Feb 1969 car still has the original clear label with white lettering (been there for the last 22+ years that I know). Bizzoco claims that somewhere in the mid 18000 range the sticker was deleted and a paper sleeve on the driver's side visor was used.
Mark

[Kent K.]

Re: approx 18000 still has label

So, I presume that my 1969 SN 26231 which has a non-rotating steering column sleeve when shifting from forward to reverse and is beyond the mid 18000 range should have had a paper sleeve on the driver's side sun visor. That's one piece of paperwork that the original owner didn't preserve unless he has it in the remaining collection I've yet to see.

Thanks for visiting with me Mark. Your knowledge about these '69s will prove to be very helpfull and I will occasionally call on your advise regarding many other items as time passes.

Regards,
Kent #6201

[Mark #28455]

I don't think yours would have either

Since your steering column bowl doesn't rotate, there would be no need to have either a sticker or a sleeve on the visor, so the factory wouldn't have bothered.
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: approx 18000 still has label

Kent-----

My car never had the paper sleeve, either. Since it does not have the rotating shifter bowl, there would have been no reason for it to have been emplaced in the car. I don't think that any car without the rotating shifter bowl would have received the label or paper sleeve, except if a mistake was made at the factory and one was installed on a car with the non-rotataing bowl. There would have been no reason for it and it's installation would have created confusion rather than alleviate it.

I always thought that the paper sleeve was SUPPLEMENTAL to the sticker on the column and not used in place of it. However, as I say, my car had neither, so I can't say, for sure, one way or the other.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

I find that early versions of the 1969 tilt-tele column did also have the rotatating shifter bowl and, therefore, I suppose they had the label as well.

[Jon S.]

Re: What is considered very late?

My mid-August '69 (#27107) has the clear/white sticker and a rotating interlock.

Jon
#10673

[Dick W.]

Re: approx 18000 still has label

1969 #26291 (M-06 build) did not have the rotating interlock

[Kent K.]

Re: What is considered very late?

Terry, Jon, Joe, Mark,

There must have been some mixing of those rotating steering column interlocks in the early to mid-August 1969. As Jon wrote "My mid-August '69 (#27107) has the clear/white sticker and a rotating interlock." However, unless either my steering column is somehow disconnected due to lack of use or I'm not viewing the proper item while shifting into and out of reverse, it does not rotate. As Mark indicated, "Since your steering column bowl doesn't rotate, there would be no need to have either a sticker or a sleeve on the visor, so the factory wouldn't have bothered." And as Joe put it, "My car never had the paper sleeve, either. Since it does not have the rotating shifter bowl, there would have been no reason for it to have been emplaced in the car. I don't think that any car without the rotating shifter bowl would have received the label or paper sleeve, except if a mistake was made at the factory and one was installed on a car with the non-rotataing bowl. There would have been no reason for it and it's installation would have created confusion rather than alleviate it."

So, if its true that thoes cars assembled with a non-rotating steering column bowl didn't receive either sticker or visor sleeve, my car should be without. Now, if when being judged, is the JM clear in that regard or is it somewhat indecisive and left up to the judges?

Regards,
Kent #6210

P.S. My '68-'69 JM is hiding somewhere on this Labor Day.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1969 Steering column sticker

It may not be entirely accurate to assume that the styles of sticker or lack of rotation of the bowl took place at one VIN. Things like interior color and/or tilt/tele option might affect the change point. Without a wide range of cars to survey this might be difficult to pin down.

[Kent K.]

Hmmm, velly interesting Papa Smurf

Our '69 Corvettes were assembled the same day (M-06) without the rotating interlock and yours is 60 units after mine. Yet Jon's mid-August '69 (#27107) has the clear/white sticker and a rotating interlock (see earlier post). Maybe we're on to something that could be interesting.

Reagrds,
Kent #6201

[Mark #28455]

is your reverse lockout working?

The bowl rotation was part of the reverse interlock system - so you can only remove the key in reverse. If your interlock is not working/hooked up, there will be no way to tell if the bowl rotates.
Mark