Is this sufficient documentation

[Edward M.]

So here is a window sticker for a 1973 convertible which shows the YJ8 Aluminum Wheel option.

Assuming this document was determined to be original, would this constitute sufficient documentation that this car was factory equipped with the YJ8 aluminum wheel?

Note: The question is NOT whether this document is original, the question is, assuming this document is original, is this sufficient documentation for factory installation of the 1973 YJ8 aluminum wheel option, and therefore, no deduction for the correct 1973 aluminum wheels (part number 329381 with 329383 lug nuts) installed on the car for judging.

Thoughts?

[Mark E.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

For 1973, the story I know is four cars were delivered with these wheels, but all were recalled because of porisity issues. Is this your understanding?

If I were judging the car, I would wonder how the wheels and car were reunited after the recall, and look for documentation this car was one of the four recalled.

[Curt S.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

In October of 1972, I ordered a 73 coupe. I chose the YJ8 wheels as one of my options. Within a short time , there was a hold on the wheels. I waited until April of 1973 to remove the option. Three weeks after the change, my car arrived at the dealership around May 20. It has a production number of 23XXX somewhat close to yours. Service from dealers vary so maybe your selling dealer did a better job than mine. Hope this helps.

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

GM production records show 4 cars "produced" with this wheel. The definition of "produced" is the question here.

Lots of cars were ordered with the YJ8 wheel, but most of the orders had to be modified after the fact to account for the unavailability of the wheel. However, we know that about 800 sets of these wheels entered the GM parts system, and many were ordered over the counter.

Also, there was a 4 day period in October of 1972 when the ban on these wheels was lifted by accident. I wonder if these four cars were possibly produced during that 4 day period.

Lots of unanswered questions, like my question above...

It a "real" window sticker that shows the YJ8 option considered sufficient documentation that the car came with those wheels?

What does NCRS say about that?

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

For 1973, the story I know is four cars were delivered with these wheels, but all were recalled because of porisity issues. Is this your understanding?

If I were judging the car, I would wonder how the wheels and car were reunited after the recall, and look for documentation this car was one of the four recalled.

That is NOT my understanding. I have never before heard that four cars were produced with the wheels and then recalled. It is hard to determine what the GM production records actually mean.

[Michael H.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

That is NOT my understanding. I have never before heard that four cars were produced with the wheels and then recalled. It is hard to determine what the GM production records actually mean.

Ed,

Mark's comments may have come from the Corvette Black Book which states that same information. The Black book also states that these 4 sets of wheels were sold in early production.

Mike

[Tom R.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

It a "real" window sticker that shows the YJ8 option considered sufficient documentation that the car came with those wheels?

What does NCRS say about that?

First, you would have to define who NCRS is at the point this is being judged. Today, its quite nebulous what you ask "What does NCRS say about that?"

Secondly, the window sticker shows it was ordered. Not installed technically speaking. The window sticker is what...a sales document. Not a production document. I just looked over a buildsheet where the YJ8 option was crossed off the build sheet and "AZ" scratched in by a factory supervisor. I'll have to inquire what the window sticker shows or the dealer invoice if the owner has either.

Your point has merit...if the installation was October, then NCRS would expect a 1973 with YJ8 presenting itself for NCRS Judging, to have a date/VIN that reconciles with the October window.

[Melvin W.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

Your car was built between 4/30/73 and 5/3/73 so that is pretty late for the car to have been actually built with those wheels.

[Tom R.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

It a "real" window sticker that shows the YJ8 option considered sufficient documentation that the car came with those wheels?

What does NCRS say about that?

The thought also occurred to me that it would be judged on the judging field in the context of the vehicle present, including documentation. Let's say its an October build, with supporting "original" documentation (meaning not facsimile window stickers) and the car is sufficiently original that its a candidate for Bowtie. Then the possibility increases that YJ8s would be acceptable on that vehicle. If the owner has a buildsheet that smells like differential fluid (retrieved from strut bracket) then that increases the acceptability and the benefit of the doubt goes to the owner.

Is that what you're looking for?

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

Yes, it is Tom.

I am trying to figure out what "NCRS" wants for documentation is this situation. And I realize that "NCRS" is not a person, but an entity.

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

The point of the "window sticker" just showing what was ordered is an interesting point.

Do you know of examples where the window sticker not matching the car. Not just 1973 Corvette, but any year Corvette.

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

Yeah, I saw that too. Not the first time The Black Book has been wrong / inaccurate.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

Why should 73 wheels be treated different than 67 knock offs P/S P/B radio A/C HD battery?

[Edward M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

Not necessarily. Even though then ban on the wheels was lifted in October for a four day period, I can envision a scenario where someone with enough "pull" could convince Chevrolet to put the wheels on at the factory (perhaps a GM exec). So theoretically, any 1973 Corvette could fall into this category.

The wheels were available over the counter for some period of time during the 1973 model year (and even after, as I recall). They were in the GM parts system, and obviously available to the factory.

And FYI, it is not my 1973 Corvette.

Lets face it, Zora Arkus Duntov took a 1974 big block coupe with these wheels on it into retirement. I have actually taken the wheels off of Zora's 1974 coupe and examined the back side of them. When I did that (about 1990), one of the wheels had already been replaced with a 1976 and later wheel because of manufacturing defects that caused problems.

I would be very interested in any other documentation that anyone may have regarding these wheels. Build sheets, window stickers, order forms, anything that shows the YJ8 option would be of interest.

[Terry M.]

Re: Is this sufficient documentation

I will offer my unofficial 2 cents, and you may take it for what it is worth - that is for what you pay for it.

If you had a build sheet that was authenticated by NCRS (see NCRS documentation authentication) it would increase your chances of successful judging of the wheels. A window sticker with the same authentication MIGHT yield the same results, but that would depend on the opinion of the Team Leader. In either case I would recommend you communicate with the appropriate Team Leader, in this case Brian Pearce, before presenting the car for judging with those wheels. Ask him what documentation he would accept. He has the final answer. The rest of us, including me, are just speculating.