Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

[Michael G.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Dave, just remember that people have been counterfeiting 427-435s for at least 30 years. They knew every tell-tale tricks way back then and had access to a lot more original parts...

Thirty years is more than enough time for a 1978-restored fake to acquire the "original" patina on the chassis. Without some original documentation, there's no way to tell how it left the assembly line. None of that means it isn't a real 435, though, so, keep looking, if its really a 435, you may come across the original owner or some early history later.

Unless you bought it to make money, don't worry about it, just enjoy it.

[Dave C.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Hey Mike, I know what you are saying, the reason I really believe this is a 435 horse car is the fact that is doesn't have a 435 horse motor in it right now, it has a 1969 400 horse, I suppose it's possible that all those parts could have been swapped years ago, but if you saw the chassis I think you would agree that it has never been touched, I pick the car up in Olympia Washington this Wednesday, I will post some pictures when I get it home.

[Dave C.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Hi William, I just noticed your post, would I actually be able to enter the car for judging in its current state? I was kind of under the impression that was just for restored or survivor cars.

[Guest]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Dave, the event results are not a type of validation. It's documenting what the car appears to be during judging.

The only true validation you can get via NCRS is from the Validation Service, verifying original paperwork that matches GM records on file now with NCRS back to 1962. That paperwork can be a Tank Sheet, Original Invoice, Window Sticker, Protecto-Plate, etc.

Now this doesn't mean you shouldn't take it to a judged meet. I recommend you do to learn more about your car and for the experience and the FUN. BTW, that's the most important part.....the FUN. Find a Chapter meet to attend for a new learning tool. It'll help tell you how to make it the way you want it to be.

I took my NOM '59 to Kissimmee six years ago.....for the experience and FUN.

Rich

Well if you had a real Protecto -plate it will tell you it was born with a 435 hp all important numbers that should match are on that plate

[Gene M.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Well since there is a 400 horse in it now and not a 435 horse, wouldn't it make sense that it is a non original 400 horse car as it sits now?

[Michael G.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

This thread is over three years old...

[Richard M.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Well if you had a real Protecto -plate it will tell you it was born with a 435 hp all important numbers that should match are on that plate

Danny, Yes. Keyword is "Real". A POP cannot be authenticated like the other documents via the NCRS as there is no Ident# associated with them.

POPs have been known to be fabricated, long after the car was built.

I once inspected a '65 for a friend and took detailed POP photos for outside analysis. It looked like it was real. However it was shot down because the owners address on the Dymo label turned out to be non-existent.

But this brings up another POP point too.... I have knowledge of a particular car that was converted from a non L71, into a L71.

It was built from a POP. So even if you find a car with a POP, there's no guarantee it started life as a real L71 just because the POP says it is.

IMO, The only sure-fire way is Authentication of the paper documents.

Rich

edit, yes I now see it's 3 years old now, but it is often practice here for some to re-open for further input.

[Loren L.]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

And it should be titled "Re: Claiming a 435 horse car with no docs and no engine".

[Guest]

Re: Verifying a 435 horse car with no docs

Danny, Yes. Keyword is "Real". A POP cannot be authenticated like the other documents via the NCRS as there is no Ident# associated with them.

POPs have been known to be fabricated, long after the car was built.

I once inspected a '65 for a friend and took detailed POP photos for outside analysis. It looked like it was real. However it was shot down because the owners address on the Dymo label turned out to be non-existent.

But this brings up another POP point too.... I have knowledge of a particular car that was converted from a non L71, into a L71.

It was built from a POP. So even if you find a car with a POP, there's no guarantee it started life as a real L71 just because the POP says it is.

IMO, The only sure-fire way is Authentication of the paper documents.

Rich

edit, yes I now see it's 3 years old now, but it is often practice here for some to re-open for further input.

Yes it true Rich , but if you have a REAL POP with solid history documents behind it and everything checks out , it better then not having nothing