Big Mike Taylor’s L89 Motion Corvette

[Tuna Joe]

New guy here from So Cal.
Happy to be a part of this community.
I thought I’d share my recent purchase as it’s a pretty interesting car.
Its been discussed on this forum many years ago and an owner in the chain of ownership use to frequent this site before he passed away.

I’m a corvette guy, specifically partial to big blocks.
I have a survivor 71’ 454 LS5 and a almost restored 1969 tuxedo black L71.
I’d been looking for a project car and thought I would maybe pick up a 1968 or 69 Z/28 but a friend of mine sent me the link to this L89 for sale. My friend has the L89 registry and sent me the documentation confirming the car was a real L89 even though the original engine was long gone.

The 3rd owner bought the car from a Hemings ad in ~2000. That fellow passed away unexpectedly and a classic car dealer bought the car to restore himself and then the car sat for 12 years where finally the dealer realized he would never be restoring the car.

I ended up purchasing the car unseen and then realized I better go inventory all of the parts that come with the car.
So I managed to sucker one of my corvette friends to tag along and the next thing I know we’re flying to Boston to go see the car in NH.

The interesting thing about this car is that apparently Michael Taylor was a first round draft pick by the Steelers. He ordered the car in Riverside gold choosing almost every option. Including the L89 option.
Once the car arrived he immedialty took the car to Joel Rosen at Motion to have a Motion conversion done. Supposedly he had a black stripe painted on the car along with all the Motion upgrades. The paint scheme matched the Steelers color.
Rumor has it he paid Joel $6000 more for the conversion.

More to follow……. Plane is taking off…. Pictures to follow

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Yup L89…. You have my interest!!!

Ryan W31

[Tuna Joe]

A few pics….

[Big Block Bill]

Very interesting being a past Riverside Gold Coupe 1969 L-89 Corvette owner, I can't wait to hear more, and PICTURES please! Bill

[Tuna Joe]

Storage unit the car was stored at.

[PeteLeathersac]

,

Super cool Motion car, welcome aboard TJ!
Please correct any wrongs but was this Member 69motion Jeff’s car, not to be confused w/ the same color Motion ‘Vette Member 69motionvet had also Pantera Larry owned the other Motion ‘Vette originally ordered w/ your car by another Pittsburg Steeler?:hmmm:
Looking forward to more also we love pictures here!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Tuna Joe]

,

Super cool Motion car, welcome aboard TJ!
Please correct any wrongs but was this Member 69motion Jeff’s car, not to be confused w/ the same color Motion ‘Vette Member 69motionvet had also Pantera Larry owned the other Motion ‘Vette originally ordered w/ your car by another Pittsburg Steeler?:hmmm:
Looking forward to more also we love pictures here!
:beers:
~ Pete

.
Yes, it was Jeff’s car.

[TimG]

I saw this car for sale and realized from the paperwork that it was real. What a cool find. Someone has to have pictures of this car in 1969 in it's glory days. Please keep us posted on your progress.

[GMC_Typhoon]

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75280 Related post about car from 2003

[Tuna Joe]

^^^^ I had read that thread awhile ago..
I’d love to be able to speak to forum member “Pantera” but looks like his last post was in 2006. He said he spoke to Jeff about the my car.
Anyone know this fellow?

[Tuna Joe]

A few more pics. Hope you guys don’t mind.

Super excited to find out the original 61amp alt is with the car. Those are tough to find.

[Tuna Joe]

Some of the Motion goodies that came with the car.

[67ssmn]

wow, cool stuff there

[TimG]

Great stuff, keep the pictures coming.

[PeteLeathersac]

'

W:eek2:W Stuff, thanks for sharing w/ us!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[Mr70]

^^^^ I had read that thread awhile ago..
I’d love to be able to speak to forum member “Pantera” but looks like his last post was in 2006. He said he spoke to Jeff about the my car.
Anyone know this fellow?


Read this,all of it. https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?p=849287

[Tuna Joe]

^^
Wow! That’s a bummer about Larry. The whole story is horrible.
Thank you for letting me know

[Big Block Bill]

So after reading the whole story, I'm confused (it doesn't take much) is this one of Larry's long lost / stolen cars? Bill

[Tuna Joe]

So after reading the whole story, I'm confused (it doesn't take much) is this one of Larry's long lost / stolen cars? Bill

No, But I think Larry had the sister car to this one.
If my story is correct, Mike Taylor’s teammate saw his car and wanted one too. So he apparently purchased Joel’s personal corvette and had it painted gold and black like Big Mikes car.
That is the one that Larry had?

[livettes]

Larry's was white with gold stripes. A 71 that originally came with an LS-7 if I remember correctly. Still missing as far as I know.
Jamie

[olredalert]

----Great project! What Motion modifications were actually made. Of course, I can see the flared fender extensions. I actually used the same ones on a 69 I had. I don't see any other body mods though. No back window, no reversed front fender scoops. Were the mods mostly mechanical?.....Bill S

[Tuna Joe]

----Great project! What Motion modifications were actually made. Of course, I can see the flared fender extensions. I actually used the same ones on a 69 I had. I don't see any other body mods though. No back window, no reversed front fender scoops. Were the mods mostly mechanical?.....Bill S

No idea. Big Mike has passed away, Jeff the past owner (motion69) has passed away, Joel is no longer authenticating.
I did speak to Gary “The Brush” who did most or if not all of the mods, stripes, and painting of the Motion cars but he doesn’t remember and said he had no interaction with the customers.
I believe he did say that he painted 2 of Joel’s personal corvettes gold.

What I can tell you is the car was flared, it has the slotted rims, the Lemans gas cap, and it has the bullet side mirrors. I also have the single traction bar that appears to have come off the car.

I’m hoping to be able to speak with Big Mike’s brother or son and see what they remember.

I was told by the seller that Big Mike’s brother told him that when the car was delivered, he then took the car to Joel and paid another $6,000 for the Motion conversion.
I can tell you that the TI amp is still in its original position so honestly, I don’t know.
I would love to have some clarity on what was done.

It blows my mind that for over 23 years, not one owner ever attempted to have the car authenticated by Joel.
I truly believe it would be hard to not remember an NFL player bringing his L89 corvette in to be worked on.

Maybe Martyn remembers something about the car and Big Mike?

[Lynn]

Pantera was Larry Clain from Tulsa, OK. maybe 07? He died quite a few years ago; maybe 07? I knew him just from email and phone calls. Never got to meet him face to face.

There was another fellow named Perry on this site who was very close to Larry. Screen name was 440sixpack, I think. I haven't seen Perry on this site for years.

Perry and I got together for a beer after the estate sale.

[Xplantdad]

And there was Ed Gilpin, too? :dunno:




https://www.yenko.net/forum/member.php?u=41153

[JoeC]

Larry's Motion Corvette was a Phase III GT

did you talk to Martyn Schorr to see if he remembers the car ?

can try looking through all the old magazines

maybe some photos can be found through the football teams?

do you know if he drag raced it ? if so where ?

[Tuna Joe]

Larry's Motion Corvette was a Phase III GT

did you talk to Martyn Schorr to see if he remembers the car ?

can try looking through all the old magazines

maybe some photos can be found through the football teams?

do you know if he drag raced it ? if so where ?

I’d love to chat with Martyn about this car.
I’m pretty sure he ran the car hard. Original motor, trans and rear is gone.

As far as pictures go, the PO said the family only had one picture of Big Mike standing behind the car in his Steeler uniform.. really hope I’m able to get a copy of that picture.

The car will be delivered this Saturday and I can’t wait to start going thru things.
I have boxes and boxes of Stuff that either came off the car or have been collected over the years.

[JoeC]

did it have side pipes on it ?

did it have the hone overdrive?

did you find any added switches or holes or added wiring in the console?

I remember a story where a football player had a Motion Corvette and he would run it at high speed and had installed an after market radio with head phones because the side pipes were so loud on the highway

[Tuna Joe]

did it have side pipes on it ?

did it have the hone overdrive?

did you find any added switches or holes or added wiring in the console?

I remember a story where a football player had a Motion Corvette and he would run it at high speed and had installed an after market radio with head phones because the side pipes were so loud on the highway

Funny you say that. Yes it’s a Sidepipe car and there are toggle switches on the console. No idea what those were for. He also cut holes into the rear storage for speakers.
I don’t know about the Hone OD yet.
Car will be delivered tomorrow

[Ralph Spears]

Sports & Entertainment figures always bought Cadillacs back in those days.

[GMC_Typhoon]

Funny you say that. Yes it’s a Sidepipe car and there are toggle switches on the console. No idea what those were for. He also cut holes into the rear storage for speakers.
I don’t know about the Hone OD yet.
Car will be delivered tomorrow
I'm sure you've seen this as 185 pictures of the car. https://www.carrollstauto.com/details/used-1969-chevrolet-corvette/89782347

[Tuna Joe]

I'm sure you've seen this as 185 pictures of the car. https://www.carrollstauto.com/details/used-1969-chevrolet-corvette/89782347

Yes, thank you.
They were what I based my purchase off of..

[Tuna Joe]

The eagle has landed!
Met the hauler yesterday at a local school parking lot, loaded up the car and all the parts that came with the deal.
Got the new one parked next to my 71 LS5 till I finish up my black L71

[Tuna Joe]

Pulled the fan and clutch off the small block that was in the car and was happy to see it’s original to the car.
Build date on my car is Oct. 31 ‘69

[Crush]

I bet that Pinto gets after it!

[Tuna Joe]

Update on the Big Mike car…..
Managed to get in touch with Big Mike’s son ( who is named after his dad) today.
We spent maybe 30 minutes talking. Good guy.
I felt bad as he mentioned several times how he wished he had the funds to buy his dads car.
He asked me when it was finished, how much would I sell the car. I told him that the price would be different for him than if I sold to a non family member but that I rarely sell my cars.

He told me that the Steelers actually bought his dad the car for being a first round draft pick. Not sure why on the original sales contract it shows it being financed?
As soon as the car came in, he took the car to Motion to have “all the stuff put on”.

He promised to send me a copy of the only picture he has of his dad and the corvette.
He also gave me his uncle's phone number and said he “knows all about the car and can fill me in about it”.
He also said his uncle removed the original rear end and transmission. I was surprised by this as I guess there is a slim possibility I could reunite those parts to the car. I’m not counting on it though.
I’ve left a message for the uncle and am looking forward to speaking with him.

[Tuna Joe]

I’ve also been busy picking up parts for the car.
So far I’ve picked up:
Date correct horns (original were missing) and have sent them to HornWorks.
A set of chromed rear strut rods for cheap.
A casting date correct rear diff and cover.
A rebuilt set of HD BB diff spindles from Lonestar.
A rear end rebuild kit.
A Muncie rebuild kit from the The Gear Box.
A TI distributor.
A date correct jack.
A nice black fiberglass spare tire tub and cover.
A NOS shifter plate
NOS CORVETTE rear letters and Stingray for the sides.
NOS service replacement front and rear F41 shocks ( not date correct)
Super clean date correct exhaust manifolds
Made a list of parts to rebuild the original 884 alternator and bought them on EBay
Bought a water pump and a rebuild kit for it
Ordered a trailing arm rebuild kit.

[GMC_Typhoon]

Update on the Big Mike car…..
Managed to get in touch with Big Mike’s son ( who is named after his dad) today.
We spent maybe 30 minutes talking. Good guy.
I felt bad as he mentioned several times how he wished he had the funds to buy his dads car.
He asked me when it was finished, how much would I sell the car. I told him that the price would be different for him than if I sold to a non family member but that I rarely sell my cars.

He told me that the Steelers actually bought his dad the car for being a first round draft pick. Not sure why on the original sales contract it shows it being financed?
As soon as the car came in, he took the car to Motion to have “all the stuff put on”.

He promised to send me a copy of the only picture he has of his dad and the corvette.
He also gave me his uncle's phone number and said he “knows all about the car and can fill me in about it”.
He also said his uncle removed the original rear end and transmission. I was surprised by this as I guess there is a slim possibility I could reunite those parts to the car. I’m not counting on it though.
I’ve left a message for the uncle and am looking forward to speaking with him.
The average NFL salary in 1969 was $25k. Most of those guys had off season jobs. I doubt he got that car from the Steelers,but you already know that from the paperwork.

[Tuna Joe]

Small update…
Was able to connect with Big Mike’s brother after much effort, who is still Alive and lives in SF, CA.
Great guy, you could tell he was an avid car guy from back in the day.
He said he learned everything he knew about cars from his brother, Big Mike.
Had a great memory, and I just let him talk.
Big Mike gave him the car around 1972-3. He said the original motor was replaced early on by GM.

He also said the car came with an M22 trans. (Interestingly enough, on the POP, there is no letter suffix denoting what transmission was in the car ie A,B,C)

The brother blew up the replacement motor (and the trans and rear end!) and bought an L88 engine from Harry Mann Chevrolet.

He ran the car with the L88 in it till he “got an offer for the engine he couldn’t refuse”.
He then put the small block 350 in it that is in the car currently.

He said when he received it from his brother, it had “the best looking hood on it”. “A very unique scoop and every person that saw it wanted to buy it”.

When he received the car, the LeMans gas cap, the bullet mirrors and the flares were on the car along with the stripe down the middle.

The teammate on the Steelers who saw big Mike’s car and wanted one for himself was Ray May according to the brother. Ray played with Big Mike at USC and with the Steelers.
I’m trying to get in touch with Ray, if anyone has any leads, that would be great.
Ray’s car was initially orange (per the brother) and I thought Ray bought Joel’s personal corvette and I thought Joel did have an orange corvette.

It was interesting that the brother said he would help in any way he could and to text, call or email him with any questions. So as soon as I hung up, I sent him some pics of a Baldwin Motion hood and he never replied back!
Oh well, he did say he had some pics of the car and that when he got the car it had the ear tail lights changed out to “bubble lens” and he may have this in a box somewhere.

[GMC_Typhoon]

Google is totally useless now with all their BS algorithms. Back in the day I could get Ray May's phone address SSN#. Today I think he might live in Carson CA and he is 77 yrs old.

[GMC_Typhoon]

Ray May is Reginald Raymond May

[Tuna Joe]

thank you for the info GMCTyphoon!
Below is a thread from 20 years ago on my car(big Mike’s) and the teammates car (Ray May)

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75280&highlight=Mike+Taylor

[JoeC]

I remember trying to help Larry with his Motion cars. The one that was originally orange was thought to be Joel's car and first Phase III (but did not have the headlight modification ) The funny thing was that this car was TH400. I asked Martyn and Joel if his car was 4 speed or TH400 and they both could not recall what trans it had.

Larry said the car could be the Football player Ray's car. The one he had painted black.

unfortunately Larry's 2 cars were stolen after he died.

[GMC_Typhoon]

thank you for the info GMCTyphoon!
Below is a thread from 20 years ago on my car(big Mike’s) and the teammates car (Ray May)

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75280&highlight=Mike+Taylor
No prob.I actually posted in that thread.
How did your car go from fully restored to basket case with a 350 in it? I am not getting this story at all. Your car has stock headlights and taillights.Was the other car fake?

[Tuna Joe]

No prob.I actually posted in that thread.
How did your car go from fully restored to basket case with a 350 in it? I am not getting this story at all. Your car has stock headlights and taillights.Was the other car fake?

Post #38 talks about how the 350 got put in the car.

I don’t think the car was ever “fully restored”.
2 people prior to me were going to restore it but one fellow died, and the other guy never got around to it.
Those 2 people account for 23 years of ownership.
The guy that passed away tore the car apart, at least that’s my understanding.

This car is not a Phase III or GT car. So no Datsun headlights.
It is a Motion conversion.
Now, Ray May’s car may have been a Phase III Corvette. But that’s speculation on my part.

[Tuna Joe]

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-general/4717804-the-story-of-the-baldwin-motion-phase-iii-supercar-experience.html#post1606617127

Interesting post on another forum regarding Motion Corvettes.
In particular, the link to the Hemings article.
They interview Marty S. And they showed an article from one of his magazines back in the day discussing what Motion /Joel would do specifically on corvettes.

[GMC_Typhoon]

Post #38 talks about how the 350 got put in the car.

I don’t think the car was ever “fully restored”.
2 people prior to me were going to restore it but one fellow died, and the other guy never got around to it.
Those 2 people account for 23 years of ownership.
The guy that passed away tore the car apart, at least that’s my understanding.

This car is not a Phase III or GT car. So no Datsun headlights.
It is a Motion conversion.
Now, Ray May’s car may have been a Phase III Corvette. But that’s speculation on my part.

Ok so what does the Gold Phase III car you posted got to do with this? It's not your car and it's not Larry's car.

[Tuna Joe]

Ok so what does the Gold Phase III car you posted got to do with this? It's not your car and it's not Larry's car.

The gold Phase III car I know nothing about it except in the thread from 20 years ago the second post someone asks if it used to belong to a pro football player.
I’m assuming not that many NFL players had Motion cars.
So possibly it was owned by Ray May at some point? Who knows?
Obviously some of the info in that 20 year old thread is incorrect.
Like Big Mike’s car being converted to a Phase III.

Larry’s dead, Jeff is dead, Big Mike is dead, and the guy in California who bought the car from Big Mike’s brother is possibly dead.
I’m doing my best to track down any history I can on this car but with so many people dead in the ownership chain it’s tough.
Larry stated in the 20 year old thread that he had a discussion with Jeff about these cars. But Larry is also dead.

Are you taking the time to read any of this stuff? Case in point-how the 350 ended up in the car was clearly outlined.
Go back to the link to the 20 year old thread. Look at posts #4,5,11,14

[Tuna Joe]

Short update…
I was finally able to get in touch with the second owner who purchased the car from the Taylor family.
This fellow was pretty adamant that the car had been brought to Motion for Joel to have work done on it.
He said once he paid for the car, he had a difficult time getting the car and had to send a recovery outfit to grab the car.

I was able to obtain Ray May’s contact info including his current address in LA and was able to go by his house on Sunday.
I was a bit intimidated to go knock on the door but finally got up enough courage and the son in law answered the door. He did confirm Mr. May had a corvette “back in the day” but after excusing himself to go ask Mr May if he wanted to speak with me he didn’t want to at this time.
I explained to the SIL I was trying to get some historical info on a car and was hoping he could help fill in some gaps.
I ended up leaving my name and number and my guess is I’ll never get a call back.

[Tuna Joe]

In the last few months I’ve been collecting the parts needed to bring the car back to original.
Fenders, quarters, complete date correct smog system ($$$), had my TI ignition rebuilt, my original alternator has been rebuilt and the case tumbled to look correct, washer pump restored, the original am fm radio restored, wiper door vacuum reservoir rebuilt and replated.
I picked up a Julian date correct master cylinder and cap off EBay and sent it to Mike at Brakeboosters.com to be rebuilt and replated.

I was also able to find the correct valve covers which was no easy feat as their were 4 iterations of corvette valve covers in 1969.

I have bought a date correct set of tri power carbs and those are currently being rebuilt by Jerry McNeish.

Picked up date correct water pump and starter from Chevycool.

Seatbelts are all restored with NOS webbing.

Found this assembly line wax pencil marking under the dreary deck lid with N14 denoting a side pipe car.

[Tuna Joe]

Big Mike’s son found a picture of his dad standing by the car.

[L_e_e]

Looks like BIG Mike probably didn't just hop in that Vette, more like he had to put it on... like a sport coat.

[Tracker1]

Priceless picture! Congrats

[Tuna Joe]

Looks like BIG Mike probably didn't just hop in that Vette, more like he had to put it on... like a sport coat.

Exactly!
He was a big boy

[Tuna Joe]

Ok guys, starting on the 427 for the Big Mike project.
842 Heads just got done and delivered by Mumps, our local “rat” engine expert and local beekeeper.
Mump worked for GM back in the 60s (where he has claimed to have “gotten more ass than a toilet seat”) and will be building the engine with 11:1 compression, a 6223 forged crank, dimple connecting rods, and a roller cam. I just don’t want to take the chance on things going south with a solid lifter setup.

Block got dropped off at the machinist last Friday (512 block with correct casting dates).
Standard bore currently but will decide .10, .20, or .30” based on what the machinist tells me the minimum I can get away with.

[chevelleheart]

Great story ! Love the updates !

[PeteLeathersac]

‘

Great progress, thanks for the update also looking forward to more!
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[dykstra]

Ok guys, starting on the 427 for the Big Mike project.
842 Heads just got done and delivered by Mumps, our local “rat” engine expert and local beekeeper.
Mump worked for GM back in the 60s (where he has claimed to have “gotten more ass than a toilet seat”) and will be building the engine with 11:1 compression, a 6223 forged crank, dimple connecting rods, and a roller cam. I just don’t want to take the chance on things going south with a solid lifter setup.

Block got dropped off at the machinist last Friday (512 block with correct casting dates).
Standard bore currently but will decide .10, .20, or .30” based on what the machinist tells me the minimum I can get away with.
Hilarious!!

[Tuna Joe]

Started on my AZ rims today.
Media blasted them and then painted the backs semi gloss black paint.
Tomorrow I’ll paint the front in a bc/cc custom mix to duplicate the argent silver with green hue that was common on 1969,70,71 corvettes.
I have a NOS 1969 AZ rim that is in perfect condition and I took it to our local automotive paint store and they matched the color close to perfect.

Also painted my NOS oil pan. Took 3 different Chevy orange paint brands ( VHT, Duplicolor, Seymour ) and sprayed each one on a piece of flat stock steel.
Frankly, they all looked the same.
I tried to match it up to my all original 71 Corvette.
Ended up using VHT hi temp Chevy orange.

[Tuna Joe]

.you can see the argent silver on the back side of the rim.

[Tuna Joe]

Thought I would ask the forum members here for opinions…
Soon I’m going to start on the glass work for the Big Mike car.

I always envisioned restoring this car as a Motion car.
I’ve had several folks who are in the restoration business and who are Corvette enthusiasts advise me to put the car back to original.
Since I’m unable to authenticate it having any connection to Motion Performance, I’m essentially building a tribute car.
If I ever sell the car, restoring it back to original opens it up to a larger pool of buyers.


I guess I’m looking for some advice/direction on how to proceed with the car.

I do have all new glass fenders and quarters for the car.
I also have every piece of Motion aftermarket items that came with the car.

I also found out the car did not have a black stripe. It was a Cadillac fire mist green.

Lastly, not sure it makes a difference but I was able to get in touch with the second owner who purchased the car from Big Mike’s brother. Crazy story!
He was adamant about the Motion connection but he was planning on putting the car back to original.

So restore back to Motion or original?

Thanks for your opinion…

[luzl78]

I would restore it back to the motion car. It would look awesome!

[Oldss]

Ummm…. Motion please

[Motion Performance]

Of course biased, but add me to the “Motion” vote :)

Some cars are fortunate enough to have a unique story, and yours is most certainly very unique. Otherwise, it will be like a multitude of other Corvettes.

[dykstra]

Motion