1970 Baldwin Motion Nova

[gr8grl7]

I think I have a motion car. I know I have to talk to Joel to get it documented, but I was wondering if any of you out there know anyhing about the options on a Baldwin car that I might be able to look for.
Now the car does have old, decreped what looks to be like Motion stickers on both back quarter windows, and the previous owner said it had a fiberglass hood with a "wierd looking scoop" on it. he tossed it because it was ruined.
If anyone knows anything please Help. I'd hate to spend $1500 and loose it. Thanks <font color="blue"> </font> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[55chevy]

post some pics if you can.

[JoeG]

As 55CHEVY said -----------pictures
There are some parts special to early PhaseIII cars,but unless you have some hard documentation ,in the end it will be just educated speculation.You might have no choice, other than to spend the fee to check the VIN.#. But I also would like to see pictures.

[COPO]

Don't forget that all the Motion items were available via mail order. Other than some old stickers and a hood what else leads you to that conclusion? If the car did not start life as an SS 396-375 hp car your chances are even slimmer. If it checks out to be a factory L-78 car and spent time on the east coast then it might be worth the $1,500. Good luck and let us know what you find out. You never know.

[gr8grl7]

Some other reasons I think this is a Baldwin car is because it originated in New York, and when the previous owner talked to Joel about it, Joel asked if it was for sale. the car is a factory SS 396, and still has the 396 in it, numbers matching. I don't know If I have the one that "slipped through the cracks" or if I have just a regular SS. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
Yhat's why I'm hoping to get help from anyone that knows anything. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[JoeG]

[ QUOTE ]

Yhat's why I'm hoping to get help from anyone that knows anything. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
My grandfather use to tell me "He knew a little something about everything" ------ Smart man,---unfortunately he's no longer with us,SOOOOOOO , I'll give it a shot----
[ 1 ]----solid documentation
[ 2 ]---- pictures [ entire car ]
[ 3 ]----try to find out what the owner &amp; Joel Rosen
talked about
[ 4 ]---- as COPO said, any of these parts
could be installed or ordered thru the
mail
[ 5 ]----LAST --- pay fee for verification

Of course this entire conversation is as always - IN MY OPINION- and should not be tried at home. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Seriously though, I[ maybe someone else can ] can't tell you what you want/need to hear-----It is a Motion Car---, with the limited information you provided. : /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[gr8grl7]

Well, i talked to Joel today, With the information I have and what my fiance's dad told me (he is a man with a plethora of information on classic automobiles) I am going to take some pictures and send in the money and VIN to Joel. What the hell... right. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[JoeG]

Well, if this is the only way to be sure of verification, smart choice--I'M sure you could have thought of better ways to spend $1500, but better to be sure now, than to sink more money into the car under the ASSUMPTION, that it is possibly a B/M-MOTION car.---- NOT TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT A GREAT CAR TO RESTORE ANYWAY!!!! --IMO.--Good Luck--I for one would like to see pictures[ if possible] no matter what the outcome.Like COPO said--you never know. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

By the way PLETHORA is as good as it gets. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[COPO]

You mentioned the car has a matching # 396 in it now. Are you saying the car's partial VIN is stamped in the 396 block? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[JoeG]

You know COPO , a light-bulb just went on when you mentioned matching numbers on the block &amp; vin plate. In the Motion web site it is mentioned , there was only one PhaseIII L-78 built----MAD MIKE said supposedly it was a 1970.I have a '69 PhaseIII L-78 B/M Chevelle. Now unless Mike got the dates mixed up??? TWO--ONE??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[55chevy]

Joe, how about some pics of your Chevelle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[JoeG]

55CHEVY---Thank You for asking---I'm still trying to figure out how to sent photos , but until I do I could mail a photo to the SYC REGISTRY and maybe they can post it.
In the meantime, go to DIECAST-O-HAULICS &amp; select--- [DIE-CAST MUSCLE.COM]--1969 B/M BURNISHED BROWN CHEVELLE---They used the photo of my car for the model [ actual ext. color is darker&amp; has color-keyed PhaseIII racing mirrors]---Joel Rosen surprised me and submitted a photo of my car.-----Thanks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[COPO]

I think there were a number of 396 Motion cars built in 67-70. All the looks without the extra bucks for the 427. Would like to see pictures of your car when you can get them posted.

[JoeG]

COPO ,I really never looked at it that way when I purchased the car, actually a PhaseIII L-78 cost more than a standard 427 conversion , plus any other go-fast or for-show goodies you wanted to add on could even bring the cost of the car higher than a PhaseIII 427.This is not my opinion but just the way it was. Anyway, I'll get a picture out to SYC Registry.
All show and no go---I made a lot of money street racing back then from car-guys who thought the same thing.----Now I didn't win every race,granted there were times when those extra 31cubes and maybe 50hp would have come in handy,but it's all about getting the power to the ground and that was built into the car.On a given day anything can happen--
that's what makes racing so much fun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
As far as how many PhaseIII L-78's were built, I just happen to read a comment made on the Motion web-site, because I haven't a clue.

[Stefano]

Joe,
I don't understand, how could a factory L78 car be more expensive than the equivalent but for 427 Conversion?

Assumming the same add ons and labor you still have the additional cost of the 427 engine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[JoeG]

Depended on options/packages----1969
SS-427 CHEVELLE---$3,895.85
PhaseIII 427 CHEVELLE---$4,998.88
SS-396[L-78] CHEVELLE-------$3,175.95
PhaseIII L-78 CHEVELLE------$4,398.88
Your right Stefano, everything being equal the 427 CHEVELLE was more money. My wedding was almost cancelled when my future wife found out what the car finally cost me, after I went out of control on the option list.You have to understand I was in my earlier 20's and had a clear head---- no money , but a clear head----- cost of balanced street/strip package--- almost $6k[ lot of overtime]
Why didn't I go for PhaseIII-427[ 90day--4,000mi warranty on the powertrain]--Full factory 5/50 warranty on the powertrain on the PhaseIII L-78 --I figured I had a better chance of saving my marriage, if something went south on the car and had a 5/50 warranty to fight GM with. This is very stressful writing this, because I can still hear my then soon to be wife yelling---"Are you out of your#%&amp;*@ mind."--She's better now,I on the other-hand, still have a few holes in my head from the 60's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[mike32]

HINDSIGHT BEING 20/20, THAT $6000 WAS PROBALY ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS OF THE DAY!
MIKE

[gr8grl7]

Yes

[gr8grl7]

I mean yes, the numbers match the block.
I'll try to post the pictures as soon as possible, it needs total restoration though. The previous owner had all sorts of parts for it. I have new bumbers, new fenders, a rebuilt posi rear end, and all of the little things that make restoration a pain in the ass when your trying to find things. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Even if it's not a Baldwin, it's still as SS and I will restore it and drive it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[hvychev]

Joe did you purchase the car brand new? That must have been neat if so. Could you discuss the details, why you chose Motion besides the obvious location factor, etc.) Any vintage pics? If so you can send me the pics so I can post them right away? I would love to see them! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[JoeG]

Thanks hvychev--I was going to give this photo-attachment thing another shot, but I'm out of aspirins---so I'LL accept your offer.You can PM me.--- Yes, I did purchase the car new----I wasn't a camera bug back then,but I did take a couple of pictures 1970.------Joe.

[JoeG]

QUOTE:
Even if it's not a Baldwin, it's still as SS and I will restore it and drive it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif