C3 Chassis Judges...

[Tom R.]

Or anyone with knowledge about the chassis buildup. This stems from Carlo's question on the front sway bar and the tag. As I state there, I have looked at a lot of chassis and low-mileage ones but have yet to see a front sway bar tag, either its color, abbreviated broadcast code or the part number. I can only conjecture that it probably was like the front coil springs. I know from buildsheets that it called out the last three digits of the part number. I would expect that any broadcast code would have the 318 (base) or 596 (FE7 bar). All I have ever seen is what appears to have been a tag that was either discolored by age or painted. Regardless, its not judged.

So my curiosity is what do you look for or have found regarding tags for either restored early C3s or original C3s?

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Tom

Have never seen a sway bar labels broadcast number for early C3 68-72 the label appears to have been white. They have always at least the ones I have seen have black paint obscuring the numbers if the paint flaked off it also removed the numbers with it and then just the out line of the label in the paint left on the bar.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Many sleeps ago I judged chassis. I saw a few (a handful) of early C3s with what appeared to be a tag on the passenger side of the stabilizer bar, on the part going toward the control arm. It was always covered with paint, and I never was able to discern a color or any numbers.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Paul/Terry

And the paint is what I surmised but without anything to really hang a hat on. So what in the chassis buildup would have put paint on the tag? I never read about blackout paint on the front end but than never really explored the issue.

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Tom,

When I did my 72 I got a repro. label, Cannot remember from who but it was a purple colored one with a part no., maybe I should just rip it off because I have never seen one before myself.And have seen some bowtie cars before. My only question is how Did the factory line guys identifly them.(sm block,big block, H/D)?

Paul if your coming to Marlboro to judge in a few weeks you may see my 72 if your judging.

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Paul/Terry

And the paint is what I surmised but without anything to really hang a hat on. So what in the chassis buildup would have put paint on the tag? I never read about blackout paint on the front end but than never really explored the issue.

Tags would have been installed at the bar manufacturer (Rockwell?) Franz Estreicher a member ? here is a virtual plethoria of suspension information

[Brian G.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

I first noticed this marking tag wire in the late 70's on my wife's '75, (sans paper). It's still there flapping in the breeze.

Sway Bar Tag Wire.jpg

[Ron G.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

My opinion is that they were blacked out when the sway bar was dipped. Paul's reply makes the most sense. Usually found on the right side.

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

To all when judging the sway bar the addition of the painted black label is a added on the judging score sheet. We/I have seen them on unrestored cars but do not know for sure what color and what was printed on the label. We may never find out for sure but a person that has restored their car and add the label is just adding a higher degree of originality. The label being there or not in my opinion would change the scoring of the sway bar assembly as a whole. But it is always nice to see a owner go to that degree of craftsmanship and in most cases it will show across the rest of the car.

[Mark D.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

it is always nice to see a owner go to that degree of craftsmanship and in most cases it will show across the rest of the car.

Harumph!!..as Gabby Johnson once said.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

I have posted here at other times a photo of the original sway bar tag on the orange 1972. As noted by Paul and Ron, it was painted black, likely with the bar when the bar was painted. I looked at it not long ago and can't see a way to determine what was on it. Imagine a 1 inch wide (approx) paper label wrapped around the bar left of center, and you get the idea.

Patrick

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

To all when judging the sway bar the addition of the painted black label is a added on the judging score sheet. We/I have seen them on unrestored cars but do not know for sure what color and what was printed on the label. We may never find out for sure but a person that has restored their car and add the label is just adding a higher degree of originality. The label being there or not in my opinion would change the scoring of the sway bar assembly as a whole. But it is always nice to see a owner go to that degree of craftsmanship and in most cases it will show across the rest of the car.

So what do we know?

Shipped with tag and assembly dipped from the Rockwell plant with tag painted

Assembled on the chassis line as received from Rockwell (painted tag, presumably)

Given a restored car with an unpainted label on the sway bar, it does not affect the judging of the sway bar assembly?

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Tom

To answerer your last question if the label is there unpainted or is not there per the judging sheets for a 68-72 originality 5 points/condition 4 points.
73-77 5 / 4
78-82 4 / 4

Because we have seen more cars with the label missing then installed plus we do not know when the label came off from the bar. In my opinion there are not enough points or a justifiable cause to make a deduction for ether case.

Some others may have a differing view point but that is mine. I break it down this way as an assembly the sway bar consists of a metal bar, 10 bushings, 6 washers, 6 bolts, 2 nuts and 2 brackets plus 1 or no label. I could make a minor .03 of a point for completeness but really can not do that.

We can tell that the bar was painted before installation but where it was painted at this time is an unknown. It could have been painted at the foundry or at St. Louis but we do not have that information as of yet.

Hope that helps but that is the way I see it.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

That's helpful...thanks Paul

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Chassis Judges...

Tom

To answerer your last question if the label is there unpainted or is not there per the judging sheets for a 68-72 originality 5 points/condition 4 points.
73-77 5 / 4
78-82 4 / 4

Because we have seen more cars with the label missing then installed plus we do not know when the label came off from the bar. In my opinion there are not enough points or a justifiable cause to make a deduction for ether case.

Some others may have a differing view point but that is mine. I break it down this way as an assembly the sway bar consists of a metal bar, 10 bushings, 6 washers, 6 bolts, 2 nuts and 2 brackets plus 1 or no label. I could make a minor .03 of a point for completeness but really can not do that.

We can tell that the bar was painted before installation but where it was painted at this time is an unknown. It could have been painted at the foundry or at St. Louis but we do not have that information as of yet.

Hope that helps but that is the way I see it.

Pretty sure Franz Estreicher told me it was coated prior to shipment