69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

[Henry J.]

Pictured below, is a reproduction sun visor sleeve, #3961389. Mine was acquired from M.F. Dobbins years ago at Carlisle.

Pic 3.jpg

It appears to be generally applicable to many GM cars of the period, but I question specifically whether it ever was included with a new 69 Corvette.

Surprisingly, the 69 AIM refers to two sun visor sleeves. UPC 0, Sheet B1 shows sleeve #3961386. UPC 0, Sheet C2 shows sleeve #9432022. More surprisingly, the NCRS 68/69 TIM&JG mentions only a sleeve #3964572. Clearly, none of these numbers match what I have.

I note that on page 196 of Rick Bizzoco's book on the 69 Corvette, a photo is presented of a reproduction sleeve #3961389, identical to mine. The caption suggests that this sleeve is the second design.

Bizzoco also shows an original #3964572 sleeve, with the caption suggesting that it is the third design.

Is someone able to clarify this for me please?

[Mark D.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

For model year 1969, there was a small car sleeve and a large car sleeve. I'm grilling shrimp so, I don't have access to the part numbers. The Corvette (small car) sleeve is easily distinguishable.

[Edward C.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Bizzoco's book is very good but it has some mistakes in it. He shows several window stickers that are clearly reproductions.

As for the sunvisor sleeve, I was under the impression there were only two designs. The one you are showing is what I thought to be the first design used up until about October 68. Then the "second" design was used which has the "engine starting procedure" opposite of the "ignition lock system" in place of the big arrow. These were definitely used in other cars. The "second" design used #3964572 dated 10-2-68. I have read through Bizzoco's book and remember seeing the "third" design reference but I think its a mistake.

I am no expert on these items, this is just what I always thought to be correct. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will say so.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Here are 2 photos of an original sleeve. It is dated 10-2-68 and is part #3964573. There is no mention of a design number. It is my understanding that prior to this sleeve being used, a paper label was on the steering column as it is on my Oct '68 car. Maybe someone else will step in to correct me or confirm. This sleeve was not with my car but the paper label was.
Jeff

[Henry J.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Ed:

The reproduction sleeve I pictured in my original post (#3961389) has the date 7-9-68. This fits nicely with your understanding that it is the first design.

I note that the sleeve (#3961386) listed on UPC 0 Sheet B1 of the 69 AIM carries the note: "With visor in up position, install sleeve so arrow is pointing up & visible to driver". This implies an appearance similar in at least one respect to the #3961389 reproduction, yet the part number is different.

[Henry J.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Jeff:

Thank you for your pictures. These are very interesting.

On the inside front cover of Bizzoco's book, there is a picture of what is purported to be an original #3964572 sleeve, dated 10-2-68. Your picture depicts an original sleeve #3964573, also dated 10-2-68. The only difference I can see, aside from the part number, is perhaps the size/configuration of the paper stock.

Clearly, there are some twists to the story of the "sleeve". I believe the 68/69 TIM&JG is correct in acknowledging some uncertainty with respect to this aspect.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

The original I have might have come from another Chevrolet product. I have another sleeve in my shop and I will compare tomorrow. And on sheet UPC 0, sheet C2 the part number is 9432022 with a note "item 5 added" dated 11-29-69. Sheet B1 also has a note "Redrawn and Redesigned" with the same 11-29-69 date. Very contradictory.
Jeff

[Chris H.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Anyone currently reproducing these instructions?

[Henry J.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Chris:

Corvette Central offers a reproduction of the GM #3964573 sleeve. The CC number is 263419.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

When I worked at Luby Chevrolet in Boston in the new car prep dept. 1967 ---1972 we used to tear those off the visor during new car prep and through them in the trash.

[Mark D.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

When I worked at Luby Chevrolet in Boston in the new car prep dept. 1967 ---1972 we used to tear those off the visor during new car prep and through them in the trash.

The vast majority of the time, that's exactly what happened. If it wasn't new car prep, it was the original retail cutomer.

It seems, if memory serves, Dr Rebuild offered the best repop.

[Chris H.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Thanks Henry. Maybe CC will start giving me a volume discount.

[Bill L.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

HI:

The photos below show an original '69 ignition lock visor sleeve. This one is from a '69 I owned many years ago. The car was built Thanksgiving week of 1968.

The first photo shows the information side ....



The second photo shows the reverse ---



.....and the third photo shows the date and part number..... 7-9-68 (July 9th, 1968) and 3961390 for the part number....



Hope this helps a bit....

Regards
Bill

[Edward C.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Wow. And yet ANOTHER part number.
I never had an early (build date before November) 69 Corvette so I never really looked too carefully at the earlier visor tags. But it seems there might be different printings. I don't know. I had an early 69 visor tag and last year sold it on eBay because I just didnt need it but had gotten it years ago. I was pretty sure it was a real one. I have to see if I still have images. Don't remember the part number.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 69 Corvette - Ignition Lock System Sun Visor Sleeve?

Bill,
What are the dimensions of your visor sleeve? I would like to compare to the one I posted. That might help distinguish a Corvette sleeve from another GM car.
Jeff