August 69 Hi Perf Cars

[MotionVette]

In doing some research for my vette project, I came across some interesting information in the August 1969 Hi Performance Cars magazine.

The article " Sneek Preview " makes reference to the front end of the 1969 GT pictured, stating that the 1970 models will feature faired in headlights with plexiglas covers.

My question is I have seen a couple 1969 Baldwin Motion Corvette's with the recessed headlights that are documented cars. How could they feature the recessed headlights if Motion did not start installing them until the 1970 Models?

[djunod]

My guess would be the "plexiglass" covers... from what I've seen.

[55chevy]

The only GT I've seen with original plexiglass headlight covers was the Gold/Black '69 that has shelby scoops on the side pillars. (the car that recently sold at BJ). And that comes from what I seen of that car used in vintage ads for Motion. I heard that headlight covers were deemed illegal right away and the rest of the GTs were delivered without them. Dan M's yellow '70 GT was restored with the covers installed but I don't think it was delivered that way originally...? Dan?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif The original Phase III GT Corvette prototype car had the factory front and rear end. What made the GT special (at first) was the slant back window and fuel filler cap (among other Motion mods). The proto car was the only GT to have the stock front end. (I'll link a pic). The rest of the 9-10 GTs to follow had open headlights. The only car I've seen in vintage photos that perplexes me is an Orange/Black GT that has the GT front with open lights yet retains the stock 4 round taillights.. I believe that to be the 2nd GT built. All the other GTs built had the slotted taillights as far as I know. Also as far as the slotted taillights go it seems there is no 2 GTs built the same.. All I have seen are unique in size and shape. ......... Ok lets see what I started here... Here's a pic of the proto GT (which I've seen inside and out numerous times and remains today very close to what it was originally...other than a color change... and a boo boo http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif)...
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/167970-69_BM_Phase_III_Vette2.JPG

[JoeG]

Ed , here's a photo of the '70 yellow vette in '92 ( or there abouts ) in front of Palm Beach Motors---They said the originals were missing so they had to handcraft the plexi covers---Now the car was shipped to Las Vegas back then --So were the covers allowed there due to different state MV laws? http://www.yenko.net/attachments/167994-yellowvette.jpg

[Dave Rifkin]

Of the 9-10 cars built how many have been accounted for?

[MotionVette]

The gold and black GT is the car that I was thinking about after reading the magazine article. The way I deciphered the article was that the recessed headlights would not be installed on any of the GT's until 1970. I have also seen pics of a orange and silver 69 GT with the recessed headlights. This car also features the Shelby side scoops like the gold and black GT. Do you have any pics of the prototype GT as it is today? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[MOTION1]

Joel told me that the car was restored exactly as built when I bought it so I believe it had the covers from the get go.

Dan

[MOTION1]

Second shot

[55chevy]

The orange/silver car you saw is the gold/black car prior to it being restored to original. Here is a link to the prototype GT with some pics and the owners story about it. http://home.swbell.net/vette-65/69_motion.html I do have some pics of it in current condition but I feel I should need Larry's permission to post any. Here is a link to his '70 GT as well. http://home.swbell.net/vette-65/70vette.html This car didn't appear to have ever had light covers.. Dan how are they installed on your car? If they were there then removed would there be any telltail signs? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[MotionVette]

Thanks for posting the pics of the car and the info. Have any more of the yellow GT http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif?

[MotionVette]

From where did the recessed headlights originate from?

[Pantera]

I think Joel was trying to give his "GT" cars a Ferrari like look at a price that could be afforded by average racers.

Also in your first post you asked about the headlights only avaiable in 1970. I think at the time of that issue they were not quite ready to have them finished till then. After all that was Aug of 69 and it was not too long till the new year.


The orange car you were refering to with the new lights and the stock taillights just might have been the first car completed in late 69. Perhaps Joel was not happy with the stock look of the rear, so he sent it back to have the taillights re-done. That car just may be the one with the Dodge Charger pop-up gascap, unlike all the rest with the "MOON" popup cap.

It seems that each GT completed, seemed to get more and or larger slots on the taillights. Don't ask me why my white/Gold 70 has smaller ones than Dan's car as his was built just before mine by a couple of months.

So far, of the 9 cars there are only about 5 accounted for. Not each one of them was a actual Baldwin Chev sold car. The Gold/black vette sold at BJ is just a Motion GT. But it still is a neat car and I love the colors on it.

Pantera

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
From where did the recessed headlights originate from?

[/ QUOTE ]

Story goes that Joel wanted an American "GT" sports car that would overshadow the European "GT" (Ferrari..etc) cars in every way, other than price. I would say he succeeded with the Phase III GT Vettes. The open headlights and other body mods on the GT were Joels design. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[55chevy]

[ QUOTE ]
The orange car you were refering to with the new lights and the stock taillights just might have been the first car completed in late 69. Perhaps Joel was not happy with the stock look of the rear, so he sent it back to have the taillights re-done. That car just may be the one with the Dodge Charger pop-up gascap, unlike all the rest with the "MOON" popup cap.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do think that was the first customer car built but I don't think it became the car with the Dodge gas cap. I think it's an unknown/unfound car today... Or maybe someone out there knows exactly where/what it is today.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Here are a few comparitive pics..

Here are 2 of the orange/black GT with stock taillights/open headlights:
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168556-53531-Scan0002.JPG Note this one has the daytona/moon gas cap..

[55chevy]

front view of same car..
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168558-53533-Scan000333.jpg

[55chevy]

I think this is also the same car that is on these 2 magazine covers (with Marty's color adjusting to make the car look more red)
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168559-Sept_70_cover.jpg

[55chevy]

btw.. I don't have either magazine so I don't know if there are any articles on the car.. Can someone with these mags check and see if there are more pics of this GT within the mag??
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168563-Carsvettecover1975.jpg

[55chevy]

Dodge cap GT. Note it has the same paint scheme as the Gold/Black car with extra hood stripe. I think this car was built right after that black/gold car and several after the Orange/black car with stock taillights.
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168564-61027-orangeveette.jpg

[55chevy]

Rear view.. Notice how large the taillights are. They look to be as big or bigger than Dan's Yellow 70
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168568-62379-MVC-004F.jpg

[55chevy]

Here is an ad for the GT showing pics of Larry's prototype
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168571-mvetr.jpg

[55chevy]

here it is split up and more readable
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168575-GT-1.JPG

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168576-GT-2.JPG

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168577-GT-3.JPG

[55chevy]

Here is one I've not seen discussed.. The short article on this customized Vette says it started it's customized life as a wrecked '69 Phase III GT. It's hard to tell by these pics here but in the magazine article you can clearly see it retains it's slanted rear window and GT gas filler underneith the rear louvers. The rest of the car is obviously covered with Ecklers add-ons. Check out the rear tailights.. looks to have a combination of stock round ones and "moved around" slotted Motion ones... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Makes you wonder ... Does anyone know this car or the owner listed in the article???? it's interesting..

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168578-125836-PICT0764.jpg

[55chevy]

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/168579-125835-PICT0766.jpg

[olredalert]

Ed,

------The text for this last one with all the Ecklers stuff seems to say that it was a "blueprinted 350" to begin with. An unusual combo I would think???.........Bill S

[55chevy]

Article says that "Engine Dynamics fully blued a 350/350 mouse".. I would assume that was built when the car was customized to how you see it.. Doesn't say what the car had originally.. This is from May '78 issue of Hot Rod. Looking at the actual magazine here the long slots on the rear look to actually be openings under the spoiler.. The tailighs look to be in the factory spot.. Makes me wonder if this isn't acually the orange/black GT I posted earlier with the stock tailights.. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I'd sure like to know more about this Vettes past.. Article states the owner who built it was Alan Kleiman out of Reseda, CA. Someone out there must know this car.