New member & chasing Motion info

[AussieVette]

Just signed up after lurking through the posts here for a week or so. I don't have one of these rare Supercars, but do drive a nice original '69 Stingray.

Don't think I'll be making too many posts in here as I don't know enough to contribute, but hopefully over time I'll learn more about these cars from the info that you all post in.

I am very keen to learn more about the Baldwin Motion Corvettes, so if anyone can point me in the right direction with useful links or pictures etc. I'd be most appreciated.

Sheridan

[GMH454]

Joel used to run a site, if you chase through the derivitives of Balwin Motion you might find it. Not really informative. Don't know of any real motion sights, don't know why. If there is can someone correct me and put up a link. Your best bet is the old medium of paper. Joels cars were exstensivley covered by Marty Schorr in the old Speed and Supercar , Hot Cars and Hi-Performance Cars magazines, in the late 60's and early 70's and Vette magazines did some very good pieces during the late 80's early 90's.
Marty Schorr also did a Chevrolet Book in the 70's which has some outstanding stuff.
Bite the bullet and hop onto ebay, be patient and you will pick em up. Got a Phase 111 Corvette on the cover of Speed and Supercar for $3.99 last month, paid $10.50 for it the month before.
If you have any other queries please email me
[email protected], I am in Sydney,
been into this stuff for way too long ( a mispent life)
Oh by the way, Welcome !!
Rgds Terry

[Chevy454]

The Baldwin-Motion site (www.baldwinmotion.com) has been down for a while now. Although, Joel had NOTHING to do with it. He did use to occasionally check out the 2nd Gen. Camaro site, but I haven't checked it in quite some time, so I don't if he still checks. He DOES have a site for his model planes/boats, though.

Like GMH said, your best bet is to check out books and magazines, but we all know that often times the info in them is incorrect...GOOD LUCK http://www.yenko.net/ubb/smilies/images/icons/wink.gif!

[AussieVette]

Thanks for the info guys. I did come across the current site including model planes etc (http://www.motionperformance.com).

I have started to mass up a decent collection of pictures from web sites, and scanned pics from books, magazines and catalogues from various sources on the web.

Who knows I might have to get around to putting everything I have in one place as a bit of a resource...

[Chevy454]

Darryl:

Good to hear from you again! How is everything down south in LA? Maybe you can help shed some light on this Corvette for Sheridan!

I also have a question for you: how do you like the 3 barrel carb on your 'Vette? How does it compare (performance and driveablity wise) to a regular 4 barrel? It seems to me that it is generally not accepted as a "mainstream" carb, although I have heard they work really well, but you don't see that many of them...kind of like the 1 barrel(?) "Predator" carbs of today!

[DarrylD]

Things are going good down here in Cajun Country. Such a nice day, I just got back from taking the 64 vette conv. out for an afternoon drive.
My three bbl has given me alot of grief, but most of the problems are probably due to sitting to long. Remember, I'm a big chicken, and don't drive my car regularly like you guys! The problems I've had are a blown power valve, leaking rear transfer slot and front float sticking several times. When it's working, it seems to work pretty good though. I've heard they were only made a few years because the racers said the were tempermental and hard to tune. Truth is, I think they got a bad wrap because Motion installed most of them with the "gear drive" throttle kit, which was prone to binding and breaking.
Bye the way, I haven't registered yet, but I will be at the show this year. Still sorry I missed last year!

[Chevy454]

Darryl:

Glad to hear you are goin gto make it! I had forgotten about the gear drive linkage...man, I can't even IMAGINE what kind of trouble I could cause myself with something like that!

I am working on updating the page as we speak, and I will add your name and everyone else who has contacted me since the last update. Should be a GREAT time!

[AussieVette]

Thanks for the info Darryl, I take it those particular magazine issue had features or articles on the Motion Corvettes.

I'll contact the magazines as see if I can get my hand on those back issues.

Sheridan

[bbdon]

Click on the links below to see an old article about the 69 Motion Vette. This originally appeared in Speed and Supercar magazine, October 1969. The fourth file is the Baldwin /Motion ad from the same magazine.
http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/p3gt-1.jpg
http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/p3gt-2.jpg
http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/p3gt-3.jpg
http://www.sonic.net/bbdon/free/p3gt-4.jpg

[AussieVette]

Thanks for that article bbdon that was excellent!!!

[Denis]

Photos of Kevin's 69 Baldwin Motion Phase III Vette are online at www.corvettes-musclecars.com (http://www.corvettes-musclecars.com) . Click on the Corvettes link once you're there.

[DarrylD]

These might still be available in back issue: "VETTE";April 92, Sept. 90, May 84, May 95(my car),; "CORVETTE FEVER";June 93, March 98, Sept. 99,; "CORVETTE Quarterly" sring 92.
If you have specific questions about the 69 Phase III GT, I can try to answer them for you. If your looking for production figure's you'll probably be disappointed. I don't think anyone know's for sure.
Darryl

[JoeC]

bbdon - thanks for posting the articles. One thing funny about the Motion cars was the way he used parts from other Chevy products. The back view shows the SS 427 emblem which is the trunk emblem from a 68 SS 427 Impala. These pop up on ebay as "NOS Motion Emblems" Can anyone tell what the GT emblem is from? I thought maybe a Vega GT but the Vega came out in 1971 so maybe its a Dodge Dart GT emblem?? Not sure.

Joe C, someone once told me that those GT emblems were off of an Opel. The ones for the Dart are narrower and taller....RatPack....

[DarrylD]

G T emblems are 67 Ford Mustang, Torino, or Fairlane (something Ford)and Mirrors are 69-70 Torino. I found this out talking to Joel when I first bought my car back in 1988. I'm going by memory now, but I'm pretty sure thats what he told me.

DarylD, your reply made me do some digging and you are correct, the emblems look just like the set of 67 Mustang GT emblems I have. As for the mirrors, I have a set that my Dad bought new from Motion in 1969 and they are 69 Mustang mirrors which may have fit the Torinos also, not sure though.....RatPack..........

[JoeC]

DarryID - about your 3 B Holley, I remember something about one of the Motion dyno tuning articles where they removed the power valve and replaced it with a plug sold by Holley then jetted the carb up a few numbers. I'm going by memory but may be something for you to consider. I believe the 3B Holley was originally designed as a NASCAR racing carb. not really designed for street use.

[AussieVette]

Well done with the parts info guys. I had a quick look on the web for '69 Mustang pictures, and sure enough they look like the exact same mirrors.

I know I have pictures in books and magazines of 67-68 Mustang GT's and an SS427 Impala, so I check those out tonight to compare the badges.

[DarrylD]

The model 3160 3 bbl I have is a List #3316 which is a 950 CFM. They also made a 1050 CFM version. I'll check into the plug to replace the power valve, thanks. Don't know about the NASCAR connection, but your right, it's not very streetable.
After Joel told me about the mirrors being Torino, I ordered a set of gaskets and they didn't fit. Turned out mine were Mustang mirrors. I assumed that maybe the first year he used Mustang and every year after Torino but maybe they were all Mustang or maybe a little of both.
Sheridan, all those mags I listed are Motion Corvettes. My 69, The 69 that Kevin has now, the Yellow 70 GT, a 74, & maybe some others.

[AussieVette]

DarrylID, you have a '69 Motion Corvette? Wow!! Do you have any pictures of it?

A mate of mine in Baltimore has one of those 950cfm 3bbl carbs you're talking about. Doesn't own a car he can us it on, just saw it at a swap meet and thought "that looks cool" and bought it.

[Chevy454]

Darryl:

Before you plug your power valve (which I would recommend NOT DOING!), go to your local parts store and pick up a Holley anti-backfire valve. I'm not sure if that's the "official" name, but it simply keeps an engine belch from wiping out your power valve...believe me, it works, and is VERY handy! As far as your power valve problem, (I'm sure you already know this) but you should be able to check your vacuum at idle and select the correct valve from that. Here is Holley's power valve page: http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/TechServ/TechInfo/TI-222A.html I don't have my Holley book here, but I think they recommend 1/2 the vacuum reading +1. Also, everything I have read from Holley (and even a chat on the phone w/them) said that you should never really plug your power valve, but other people said they have had good luck plugging the rear. When set up correctly, they work! Good luck!

[DarrylD]

Chevy454(Rob?)
Thanks, It's working OK now so I don't plan on messing with it for now, but I'll do the research before I make a change.
Sheridan, pictures of my car are on this site (99 Reunion page)& elsewhere.

[AussieVette]

Darryl. Ah ok so that's your car. Wow that is awesome and I'm jealous. I love that color too, but I guess I'm biased with my 'Vette the same colour.

I actually have another picture of your car here which was taken outside in what looks like a driveway. That was the first picture I ever saw of the Motion GT.

Thanks for all the info...

[JoeC]

Rob- I wouldn't recommed plugging the power valve on a modern Holley but sometimes with the old parts you have to use the old tricks.
DarryID - I was wondering how the Motion LeMans style gas cap is mounted. I have seen where the flange is bolted or riveted to the fiberglass panel but does yours have a tube connecting the gas tank to the LeMans gas cap?

[DarrylD]

Joe, mine is riveted to the fiberglass. An aluminum (homemade)fuel cell was added back in the 70's by the owner for racing. So I don't know how it originally came from Motion. As it is now, there is an aluminum tube connecting the cap to the tank. A sealed connecting.