Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

[Greg L.]

I'm just curious to see if anyone knows or knows of this car? My take on it is that it is an old driver that might be the real thing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Corvette-L89-Coupe-SUPER-RARE-L89-427-435hp-numbers-match-NO-RESERVE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6168QQihZ010QQitemZ200105445449QQrdZ1

Thanks,

Greg Linton
#45455

[Mark #28455]

Carbs dated Dec 1968, car built July 68

Holley carb dating 8B1 means (8)1968 calendar year, (B)December, (1)first week. So, if it's the "real McKoy" as he says because the carbs are "numbers matching" I would be asking a few questions. In addition, the hood appears to be the later 1969 style - there appears to be only one attachment for the cable between the latches, and the pass side latch holes appear to be parallel, the inboard pair should cant inward (maybe that's why the latches aren't in the photo?). The driver's side latch post appears to be the later "teepee" style too. Also, the 321 block may be incorrect (although anything is possible, I would ask for the casting date), I had a 400HP 427 block in my collection that was cast March 8th and was put into a March built car, so I wonder whether there were still 321 blocks around at Tonawanda 4 months later.

Mark

[Brad M.]

Re: Carbs dated Dec 1968, car built July 68

YES IT IS A LONG TIME TO HAVE A BLOCK SIITING AROUND BEFORE INSTALLING

[Kent K.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Not that they're as important as the engine and dates to which Mark responded, but the wheelcovers are definitely PO2s, not PO1s as used in 1968.

Regards,
Kent Keech

[Gregory M.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

I am interested in this car and posted on the board for a recommendation to a qualified inspector in Ohio.

Obviously, I am concerned foremost with the cars legitmacy. I am aware that the block casting number is the "earlier" 1968 435HP block despite the vechicle assembly date of 7-26-68. I have asked several times for the specific block casting date and was told that it was July, 1968. Could this block have been cast in July, with that eariler casting number, and if so, is a casting date early in the month of July correct for a block in a 7-26-68 assembled vehicle?

As for the carbs, I thought the date(8B1 for example) was Feb. 1 1968, which I thought could be correct for a July assembled vehicle. Doesn't the component dating start with A in Jan, B in Feb, etc...

So does anyone know a qualified inspector in Ohio who can give this car a thorough once over?

GM

[Rich G.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Greg

My 68 L71 was built July 18. The block casting # is 3935439. The cast date is May or June...I forget right now.

Also, that car appears to be missing its back up lights and the clearance around the rear wheel wells seem too much. I had those same tires on mine and it looked more "normal".

Best to have somebody familiar with 68's look at it in person.

Rich 38594

[Jim B.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

The back up lights and fittings are not present on rear valence. Must be a 69 valance.

The master cylinder is a replacement and not a good one. No chrome covers in 68.

The cove inserts were not avaulable in 68 only 69

The front marker lamps are amber not the white that were delivered in 68. The amber ones were 69

The dash looks in rough shape. It has been removed many times.

And finally the writeup does not match the car. The writeup says it is dark blue but the pics show a British Green car. The writeup mentions off road exhaust but there is a standard exaust on the car.

Too many questions for this price in my mind.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Yeah, it looks green to me in photos although it could be a poor digital camera and all the green shading from sunlight and trees...the interior was changed from blue to black at some time in past and you can see the black interior paint wear in areas in photo...I realize now there are many 1969 panel and part substitutions, including the hood, front marker lights, rear valance (no back up lights), cover inserts, etc...

BTW, what exactly is "off road exhaust"? I know its not side exhaust...how can you tell if it has the correct exhaust?

GM

[Kent K.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Greg,

You might consider calling Gary Mortimer. Although he has precious time for inspecting the car, he may either know the car or know someone locally to inspect it for you.

As for the PO1 wheelcovers, since they are so close to the PO2s and difficult to describe, I suggest you check Rick Bizocco's "1969 Stingray" book for photos and description.

As others have posted in this thread, I too looked for blue paint and found green but then someone may be color blind. I really have not studied the '68 MY but here are my other observations. The instrument panel and console look to have been dyed with bad shoe polish. Personally, I didn't see any back-up lights on it ... appears to have '69 style tail lamps. Front parking light lenses can easily be replaced with amber ones but it makes one wonder whay they are clear. The suspension may have been redone and not settled yet but it does look like its a little high. I didn't see any headlamp protecters ... I believe all shark cars had them. The left exhauset bezel doesn't fit to the body correctly; the right one appears better. The screws in the door sills are suspicious (incorrect?). There is no drip guide at the rear door jamb bottom corner. Was there no storage try for the removable rear window? I didn't see one in the pictures although there is a tab of sorts. There is an oblong hole in the right door inside bottom back corner that doesn't appear on the left door. Both hood pins appear to be the later tee-pee style instead of the earlier style as should be on the '68. I question if the radiator fan is correct.

Regards,
Kent Keech

[Dick W.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Very good, Kent, you are correct in all that you mentioned. In additon, the seats should have the higher-mounted release lever. There is no switch at the rear of the door jamb to control warning lights on dash.

[Joe T.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

No A.I.R? I understood that ALL 1968 and 1969 (as well as others) had this.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Wow, you guys are picky:)Just kidding...I would suspect some accident repairs as the reason for the improper 1969 exterior trim and front hood. It appears that the car has been treated to some real shoddy repair and/or "resto" (term used mildly) work over the years. It needs some serious TLC...

But the issue of the cars legitmacy is my foremost concern. The seller told me the casting date on the 321 block was July and by all accounts that does not seem possible because the foundry changed castings sometime around March-April. IF it was a March-April casting the question is why the block sat for so long before vehicle installation. CAN ANYONE COME UP WITH A PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATION FOR EITHER SCENARIO?

The carbs are 8B1 which is Dec...thats Dec. 68 and not 67, right? So they are actually for a 1969 car and cant possibly be original...absent a tank sticker or other irrefutable proofs, the cars legitmacy is still a question...
GM

[Kent K.]

Thanks Reba

Reba,

I looked suspiciously at the seats and could not say anything since I'm at the office without manuals. They looked like '69 seat pattern to me, but what do I know? Also, the 2 holes in each door jamb worried me that I couldn't put my finger on what was missing. There are a lot of other items I didn't mention because of time issues here at work such as emblems, stickers, ignition shielding, valve covers, M.C. cap, louver trim, yada, yada, yada.

Could it be a real L89? There is no way to tell from afar. I sincerely hope Gary can suggest someone knowldgeable in the area to go look at it. It may very well be worth every penny.

Regards and see you at the convention this summer,
Kent

[Dick W.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

You would see picky if we had the car in person. I am interior and exterior judge and I see too much that raises red flags.

[Gregory M.]

Re: Does anyone around Cincinnati know this L89?

Red Flags in the sense that the car has obviously been subject to less than acceptable repairs/resto work over the years or red flags as to the cars legitimacy as an L89 car?

I took the recommendation and called Gary who put me in touch with a gentleman in Ohio who has resto shop...spoke to him and very nice guy...I am going to bite the bullet and have him look at the car...
GM