70 gas cap

[Mike G.]

i have a june 23 1970 corvette. for the most part the car was all original when i got it including the paint. the gas cap on the car has the little red plastic plate that says caution open slowly. the book shows this an an early 71 cap. could my late 70 have come with this cap?

[Dick W.]

Re: 70 gas cap

At that late a date '70, it could be possible

[Dave S.]

Re: 70 gas cap

My July 8, 1970 low mileage Bowtie car has the normal SEALED cap. As Dickie says the 71 style cap could also be possible but I think it's a bit of a stretch.
Just my opinion.

[Alan T.]

Re: 70 gas cap

My July 30, 1970 (next to last day of production) LT-1 low mileage Two Star Award car also has the normal SEALED cap (it is the original).

[Stephen B.]

Re: 70 gas cap

My May 19, 1970 car came with a sealed cap.

[Chuck S.]

Re: 70 gas cap

I agree with Dave and Allen...I also have a fairly original July 30 coupe, and it had the cadmium plated SEALED cap. The odds are the 71 cap is a service replacement.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 gas cap

M
Don't despair. That early 1971 cap, if in reasonably good shape, is way more valuable than the correct "sealed" 1970 cap you should have.

[Lyndon S.]

Re: 70 gas cap

And why is that old wise one?

[Harmon C.]

Re: 70 gas cap

I'm betting the supply is low and if you need that cap those in the know want a high price.
Lyle

[Terry M.]

Lyle's got it *NM*

[Lyndon S.]

[Jim T.]

Re: 70 gas cap

My original owner 70 built in July has the original sealed cap.

[Warren F.]

Re: 70 gas cap

Kelly,

That particular cap with that red metal tag and scalloped edging was used for just part of the '71 model year.

Piper's Corvette had an NOS example on ebay awhile back at a buy it now price of $275.

Actually the archives has a discussion on this very subject awhile back where Joe Lucia shows pictures of the differences in the '70,'71 & '72 styles.

[Terry M.]

Warren's got this part right

Sorry not to be more expressive. as you can see from another thread on this board, I have been a little self-absorbed the last few days.

Yes, the cap with the plastic caution note is only the early part of 1971. That style was never serviced, so the only original examples are from Corvettes. There is/was a reproduction, but most judges can easily identify the reproduction -- Hint: look at the direction of the handle tabs as illustrated in the TIM&JG. The late John Woods did the early research on these caps, and had the preeminent collection of original examples.

[Dave S.]

Re: Warren's got this part right

Warren,
I can say for sure that 1971 #16798 had the red tag on the gas cap. My experience is that the red tag went through most or all of 1971 model year.