Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Looking closer again I can say that we definately have a CO8 on the upper cowl for the vinyl top, The only unidentified marks are the 34 and the "V" 37 or 437? Any suggestions on having the original valve covers restored? I can send them out and replate them but I would like a OE appearing finish, More of a flash chrome finish, ??

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I realize that most of the markings on the firewall were under the black out paint. Why do people put them on over the paint?
Other than they think it looks good? And makes onlookers go wow that is detailed.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Some of the marking on my JL8 car were still visible so they were not under any paint. In fact the dealer wrote the delivery date on the underside of the hood when the car arrived and that was still there. So a lot of these markings were pretty common, it just depends on who did them and when. My car also had the sequence number written on the firewall on the driver's side and it was hidden by the fender. That sequence number matches the sequence number on the broadcast sheet found on the gas tank. If the markings were painted over before delivery, then it should be restored with the markings painted over as well. It would be incorrect to show the markings. They just help document the car during restoration.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hi Firstgen, I don't think it's common pratice to put all of these marks over the black paint, I think it's more of a reserch and documentation interest than anything, There are a few markings that will be over the paint though.. B T P stamps and the color callout T U R.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Jeff. I agree, We will put all the marks on the firewall as we found them and then apply the black paint as it was at the plant.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

This might sound ridiculous but here it goes.....is there any chance that some unexplained numbers/letters could be an employees initials or ID number? I got to thinking about this at work today because we all carry stamps for our paperwork and many of the parts we work on have stamps/initials on them. Just a thought. Go Sox

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Not very strange at all! There are reports from line workers who claim to have written cryptic notes on specific areas of the cars to their buddies down the line.

I have some initials on my block as well, JH was very clear on the one side of my block, also written in Yellow except right-side-up. So, it's very possible that the codes don't really indicate anything about the car itself.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Speaking of line workers writing stuff on cars, I went through the Van Nuys plant a couple of times and on one of my trips ('92 I believe) there was a message painted on the side of a car which said "Lunch at Sizzler, Psycho buys". Obviously this was before the body color went on.

My thought on the V37 is it could be "437" which could correlate to the build sequence or it might be "V32" for rear bumper guards. Does your car have the rear guards?

-Jon

1967 Z28 original survivor
1967 Z28 Trans Am race car
1967 Z28 Registry

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Lunch at Sizzler, Psycho buys".

[/ QUOTE ]

Classic! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Even funnier might be "This car was built on Monday"

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Exactly! The story I was referring to was a message from one line worker to another regarding where to meet at breaktime!

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Firstgen, I don't think it's common pratice to put all of these marks over the black paint, I think it's more of a reserch and documentation interest than anything, There are a few markings that will be over the paint though.. B T P stamps and the color callout T U R.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen many cars restored with these codes on top of the paint. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif
Most originals I've seen had the paint color (TUR in this case) under the firewall paint. Often visible since the letters (ie grease marker) seem to prevent the firewall paint from adhering correctly (and often allow minor surface rust).
Most common for being on top of the paint is the sequence / rotation # (used to track the car down the line) and TBP inspection stamps (NOR cars only).

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

My car also had "Mr Moto" painted in Hugger Orange on the transmission tunnel. You couldn't see it until you removed the console and carpet. I don't think that had much meaning. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Interesting.. Thanks Kurt, Now the codes and such left by the fisher plant were put on before the metal prep and sealer then obviously, Because as you strip the surface the TUR and the BTP were removed instantly and as the black was removed the rest appeared? The BTP and the color callout leave no "shadowing" as the rest of the codes did. The TUR was applied directly over were the D80 was written, And would have looked confusing, So the body was shot with Primer before it left the Fisher plant which would have covered the underlying codes.. The TUR was partially covered wih black paint when we go the car and I figured someone attacked the firewall with a rattle can years ago. And I did find the color code went under the heater box. A side note have seen several MOPARS with the name ROCK and ROCKY written in the trunk area on the wheelhouses, You never know what you will find!! Thanks again https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Not all BTP markings are on the firewall check out where these were found on the outer cowl areas along with other marks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...lip20panel.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...20marks202.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...PTB20marks.jpg

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hi Jon, I think the 37 code is a 437, Not written well but didn't need to be.. No bumper guards on the car.. The information and knowledge on this board is impossible to put a price on!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

An old friend of mine worked at Dworin Chevrolet in East Hartford, CT. He was a young phenom when it came to drivability problems and he was given a new Corvette that the owner complained made a clunking noise when cornering. After many test drives he located the problem. A Coke bottle was left in the driver's side door. The note inside the bottle read "congratulations a$$hole-you found the noise.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hi Jeff, I have seen these marks on Some of our F body Pontiacs, 1970-71 Trans am's, I have seen the markings on the forward face of the cowl as well as around the sides of the cowl. These cars obvoiusly were inspected with the fenders off the car. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I am not questioning the pictures and markings for documentation. I am all for that. I was questioning some restored cars use of grease / chalk marks over paint when originally they were under the paint merely for the appearance of a "highly detailed" ie percieved correct restoration. Even though the markings ahould be under the paint.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I agree with firstgenaddict. We did a '67 Z/28 years ago that was media blasted. I have several photos of the bare firewall with grease pencil stains all over it. "3L 2LG C08 Z-28 4L" are easily legible along with other markings that are not. The 2LG is partially obscured by the factory seam caulk. All of this was applied prior to any paint.

I have seen body color noted on the firewall after it was painted.

BTW the L89 in discussion was well known in the Milwaukee area when Pee Wee owned it. I sold him a VE3 bumper when the original was damaged.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I also agree with firstgen and William. Although sometimes guys put the markings on top of the black just out of error, not to deceive. It's not an easy thing to correct once the car is back together. Anyone have any suggestions?

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Marlin you are right about it not being easy to correct after the car is complete.
Being that it is so hard to correct later makes the case for the research that needs to be done and the pictures that need to be taken before and during the dis-assembly process.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I'm with you 100%, I have seen a few cars that have way too many inspection marks and chalkings all over, To the untrained eye it is visually impressive, Great pictures of your 68 HO, car has alot of originality left, I like the black tint differences in your photo's, Different part vendors used different paint. alot of the components like inner fenders and core support look nice with a little contrast in color. tinted with a touch of red,green or blue.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hi William, Awesome, Tht will explain the fact that we found Hugger orange paint on the bumper!! How long have you known of the car. I have pictures as far back as 74 when for insurance reasons they were taken to show damage caused by his disgruntled wife who took a baseball bat and smashed the windshield and beat the remote mirror right off the side of the car. I am told that he raced the car on a paved oval for a few years?? It also had 4.56 gears installed at the dealer when it was new, They are date code for the car original GM gears, The 4.10's are gone though. The car had 50 miles on it by the time the dealer sold it. Alot of test drives going on!! Invoise price on the car was a wopping $4930.00. We got all the GMAC paper work and service reciepts. We have the original HUMPHREY Diecast emblem for the rear panel but it is pitted, Any possibility of finding a nice one in your area!!

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

I first saw it around 1980. It had a light biff on a front corner that took out the bumper. At that time the L89 was not in it. The shop that repaired it added a ducted hood.

I don't think you bought it from Pee Wee but since he is circle track guy it wouldn't suprise me if it went around the track a few times. He has had a lot of Camaros, most recently a loaded '69 Z/28-RS, factory black with white houndstooth, VE3, N34, etc. Too messed with for me but striking nonetheless.

Humphrey Chev went out of business in the mid '70s so finding a nice emblem will be tough. They were a Hi-Perf dealership, sold Yenkos in '67 and many Corvettes. The building stood unused for years, finally razed about 10 years ago. Vacant lot now.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Great to hear from you William. I bought the car from a man in Michigan here named Dave Flores. He bought the car from Chris Gore in New Berlin where you live.. Pee Wee " Bob" sold the car in 1989 To Chris. He sold the car to Dave I believe in 1999, We purchased it that Fall. I have talked to Pee Wee but not Chris. It's awesome to be able to hear from people who have seen the car in it's early years, https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Didn't Charley say once that he found a marijuana roach stuck in the padding of his carpet once in a Camaro? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Sure he "found" it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Are you sure it wasn't that he got carpet pad stuck in the roach while in the Camaro?? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Who's smoking carpet pad ?

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Whew! Man,... I smell something???? Tell ya what it is.. A friend of mine a year ago bought the car that started the Indy 500 in 1989. A turbo Trans am. It was driven by Bobby Unser to start the race and awarded to Emerson Fidipaldi? Cars were built by PAS eng. Emersons wife didn't like the interior so they gave the car back to GM. Car was further modified and given to the Pres. of PAS. Then sold to the public. Anyways, He was driving the car the night before lasty and heard it ignite under the hood,, Always a bad sign!! Here is a pic of the actual starting and award car!! RIP

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

That is one cooked bird. Any chances of bring it back? Roger

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hey Roger, Looking at it here in my driveway it would be seemingly impossible, But I know that anything can be fixed. Car only had 25,000 miles on it, It's a real shame,And I know years from now it will seem worse..

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

That really sucks... Hope it was insured properly. Roger

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Well Back into the car, We found a few small rust spots on the dash frame at the leading edge "typical spots", Well years ago we bought a NOS dash frame. So I take it into the shop and man This thing has way too many differences to even think about using it?? The speaker hole is not a square pattern like the original and the def. vents along the top are too long? It is a Camaro part but what the heck, Is this a late part or a Firebird also part?? Now I feel that I should have the original fixed?? Do I have the wrong part?? Any advise please!! Thanks Carl https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Wouldn't replacing the dash top require removing and reinstalling the VIN tag? I think I'd avoid doing that at all costs simply because it may raise eyebrows later on being that the car is an L-89. Purists will notice if the VIN rivets have been tampered with, and automatically assume the worst. My opinion is to get a good bodyman/welder to fix a little rust, and leave the original dash top intact.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

musclecarz;

I have done some research on this. What is the part number?

Greg

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Hi Greg, The part# is 8716458. What the heck is it!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Very interesting post----I had to laugh when you said Mr Motto had signed your car---Last week was Peter Lorre week---showing all of his Mr Motto films--

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

musclecarz;

Believe it or not, it is listed in the 1962-1970 parts book as fitting the 69 Camaro. The 1965-1970 parts history does not show is as a replacement for anything.

Remember service parts are not always the same as assembly line parts.

Re: L89 Resto!!
 

Thanks , I cannot believe they made this part to replace what the cars came with!!, It is totally wrong, But would fit and function fine, I will post some pictures of the differences tonight.