How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

[G B.]

Is there a slam-dunk way to identify an original owner's manual for a '57 Corvette?

Here's a beat-up manual: https://www.ebay.com/itm/18396184915...IAAOSwPw5dgryF However, reprints have been available since the seventies. This one could be a used original or an aged reprint.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Jerry

[Harry S.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Jerry, this may apply. It's what I look at on a 63 manual. On page 27 of the 63 manual is a picture looking down at the cockpit. In an original book you can see details to the floor. Pedals, etc. On a reprint everything under the dash is black.

There may a similar shot in the 57 manual.

[Gary C.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Jerry,

4th edition was used for repro's. If you can't see sharp detail of the brake pedal, as Harry points out, in the cockpit photo and the other photos do not have sharp detail, then it's more than likely a repro.

Gary
....

[Mark S.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Most 57 reprints are 4th edition, Look at page 84, Does it have a page 84, if not, it is a reprint, On contents page you should be able to follow the door seam all the way around on the middle Corvette, On page 4 you should see the brake and clutch, If one of the headlights is green, then it is a reprint, Also, the Cover Corvette should be teal, not green or red.

[Jack M.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Added info from The Glove Box Shop:

Owners Manuals - Original vs Repro (1957)-01.jpg
Owners Manuals - Original vs Repro (1957)-02.jpg

Seemz I'm a little late...

[Todd H.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Where does it say which edition it is? Mine just says copyright (symbol) 1956 in the Contents page.

[Gary C.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Todd,

'56 1st edition is 3726900. '56 2nd edition & '57 3rd & 4th edition are 3737520. 1st & 2nd editions are 1956. 3rd & 4th editions are 1957.

All 4 of the editions I have are 1956 copyright.

Gary
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[Mike M.]

Re: How to tell an original '57 owner's manual from a reprint?

Jerry: i have a NOS 3rd edition and a well used 3rd edition.both are originals. i also have several repos. PM me if you have questions. i can perhaps answer. mike mccagh

[G B.]

Thank you all

I really appreciate your responses. Now I know exactly how to tell an original manual from a reproduction.

[Gary C.]

Re: Thank you all

Mark,

Here's an e-bay listing with page 84 illustrations, 57 Owners Manual 4th Edition sign by Larry Shindoa but no page number. Have a repro 4th edition, but unable to locate it.

Have several "real" '57 3rd and 4th editions and they all have a page number of page 84.

Gary
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[Mark S.]

Re: Thank you all

Gary:

That manual is listed by me. At one time I had several Shinoda signed manuals; however, most were sold. I have an almost complete collection of manuals dating back to 1953 up through the 80s; with multiple editions of originals and reprints.

Mark
PS Did you intend your email to Mr. Bramlett?

[Mike M.]

Re: Thank you all

yes, I did intend to send the message to jerry. regards ,mike