California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

[Victor E.]

I have a 1967 427/400 Roadster (ser#13693 /mid-March production) that was delivered to to a CA dealership (per the NCRS GM Shipping Records). <br />
<br />
All of my review of drivetrain and other clues demonstrates a numbers matching, original drivetrain with appropriate dates and castings. Engine pad and numbers look legit as does the Trim Tag. I understand that someone could've done a meticulous job of building a car like this from non-original parts and doing a spot-on engine stamping, so have one nagging question. <br />
<br />
The engine stamping code is JC indicating a 400hp 4-speed car ... but NOT a JF indicating a 400hp, 4-speed AND K19 (A.I.R). My question is (fingers crossed here) ... could there have been Corvettes delivered to California in 1967 that did not have A.I.R.? My initial instinct is &quot;no&quot;, but also know that cars (at least today) are diverted from original desitinations, to other destinations when customers want a car with a particular set of options.<br />
<br />
If this is not possible, then my car would seem to have a NOM ... that was re-stamped.<br />
<br />
Anyone with any insight or can point me to some research would be most appreciated.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Vic

[Leif A.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Vic,
You might want to post some high resolution pictures of the engine stamp pad. A dealer trade from out of California is definitely a possibility to explain your concern. Do you have the tank sticker? How about the NCRS shipping report? The Shipping report would tell you where the car was originally shipped. That, in and of itself, could answer your question.

[Victor E.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Hi Lief. I'll share a high quality photo of the pad in a little bit. To answer your question, I have the NCRS Shipping Report stating delivery to Raines Chevrolet in Sunnyvale, CA (outside of San Francisco). The tank sticker is long gone, and I have no Protect-O-Plate or other original documentation. Thank you!

[Victor E.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

One more piece of info that may play into the California delivery, but originated elsewhere, or would be registered elsewhere ... Sunnyvale CA is the home of Moffett Airfield, a significant US Navy airfield. I would guess that pilots and other military may not register cars in CA, or may order for use elsewhere.

My first Corvette, a 1965 Roadster was owned by the St. Louis plant Assistant Controller who registered the car in Virginia (his home state). I spoke to him about having the Controller order the car (demo) and hold for 6 months, at which time he bought it. He then sold it 6 months later in Pittsburgh, Kansas. Car had 13 owners in 18 years, and I spoke to all but one of them in 1983 as Virginia, Kansas and Florida were still maintaining and providing registration and title records for a fee.

[Bob B.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

ANY NEW car being sold by a California dealer HAD to have Calif emission. Calif dealers could not dealer trade with dealers that had a new car without Calif emission equipment. By the mid 70's us California Corvette drivers wanted cars without Calif emissions, lets just say there was a pretty active "black market" on slightly used "almost new" Corvettes that we were bringing in from out of state. That continued into the 80's,
California could only get the dog 305 inch engine automatic in '80 A quick trip out of state got us L-82 4 speeds
Just saying, it happened I hear.

[Tom B.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Bob is correct any vehicle ordered for destination to ma Ca. dealer would have Ca. Emissions. Looking at the engine pad stamp I would be suspect? I'm sure others will chime in regarding the stamp pad.

[Robert G.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

I think the 'C' in the engine suffix is wrong.

[Victor E.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Thanks Tom and Robert. Tom, is there something that makes you think the pad is suspect? Much appreciated.

[Mark L.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Victor, I double checked your Shipping Data Report and it is correct. I am pretty sure any Corvette that was ordered by a CA dealer in model year 67 had to have the smog equipment (except L88 and that is another story).

[Gary C.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

IIRC California started their auto emissions in 1961 with a PVC valve mandate.

Gary
....

[Duke W.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Gary - yes, CA first required "closed" or "positive" crankcase ventilation systems for the 1961 model year, and they were required nationwide beginning in the '63 MY. Since about 20-30 percent of vehicle HC emissions originated from the old open cranks vent systems, this was a major reduction in vehicle emissions, and the more effective purging of blowby gas from the crankcase significantly reduced oil sludging.

As previously stated CA first established tailpipe emission limitations (HC and CO only, NOx added for '71) for the '66 MY, and nationwide standards went into effect for the '68 model year (HC, CO, NOx for '73).

It might be possible a car without K-19 was inadvertently built for and shipped to a CA dealer, but I very much doubt it. First, the order should not have passed zone office scrutiny, then plant acceptance scrutiny, and then the final QC audit at the end of the production line.

I know going back to at least the '78 model year that a current model year car could be registered in CA without original CA emission certification if it was "used", defined by having at least 7500 miles on the odometer.

That's how a friend of mine was able to get a '78 Silver anniversary L-82 coupe registered in CA late in the '78 MY. He found it in Texas, drove it back to CA with a Texas plated and shortly after arriving home it had the required 7500 miles. However this could not be the case (even if this provision in CA law was in effect in '67) for the car in question because records verify that it was originally delivered to a CA dealer.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Gary - yes, CA first required "closed" or "positive" crankcase ventilation systems for the 1961 model year, and they were required nationwide beginning in the '63 MY. Since about 20-30 percent of vehicle HC emissions originated from the old open cranks vent systems, this was a major reduction in vehicle emissions, and the more effective purging of blowby gas from the crankcase significantly reduced oil sludging.

As previously stated CA first established tailpipe emission limitations (HC and CO only, NOx added for '71) for the '66 MY, and nationwide standards went into effect for the '68 model year (HC, CO, NOx for '73).

It might be possible a car without K-19 was inadvertently built for and shipped to a CA dealer, but I very much doubt it. First, the order should not have passed zone office scrutiny, then plant acceptance scrutiny, and then the final QC audit at the end of the production line.

I know going back to at least the '78 model year that a current model year car could be registered in CA without original CA emission certification if it was "used", defined by having at least 7500 miles on the odometer.

That's how a friend of mine was able to get a '78 Silver anniversary L-82 coupe registered in CA late in the '78 MY. He found it in Texas, drove it back to CA with a Texas plated and shortly after arriving home it had the required 7500 miles. However this could not be the case (even if this provision in CA law was in effect in '67) for the car in question because records verify that it was originally delivered to a CA dealer.

Duke

Duke------


I agree. I do think that in 1967 a car could have been dealer traded from an out of California dealer and, thus, not be equipped with AIR. I just don't think the DMV was "sophisticated" enough at that time to have adopted the kind of regulations that came along later to control out-of-state cars brought into California. However, as you mention, that does not apply in this case because records apparently confirm that this car was delivered to a California dealer.

A few related things I've always wondered about: how did GM get around the then long standing PCV requirement for 1967 L-88 and was there also an exemption from the AIR requirement for 1967 L-88's delivered to California?

[Mark L.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Joe...
Having wondered about this for a while I've had a couple thoughts. First, maybe the L88 was considered a "race car" or "off road" vehicle and exempt from the law. Or perhaps because it had such low production volume it was not required.

[Bob B.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Is anybody positive L-88's were delivered to CALIF dealers ( other than back door race cars) There were years we didn't even get 4 speeds or L-82's. I seem to remember James Garner / Dick "Mr Corvette Guildstrand got the '68 L-88's out of Clippinger Chev Covina, but who knows
if those were "retail" or factory back door deals

[Philip T.]

Re: California Delivered March 1967 without A.I.R?

Not sure if it's a valid hypothesis, but what if the car was ordered from a dealership in a neighboring state, i.e., Oregon, Nevada or Arizona, and the buyer was a resident of that state and for some reason requested courtesy delivery at a California dealership? Would the Shipping Data Report list the ordering dealer or the dealership where the car was delivered? Maybe a little far-fetched but figured I'd toss it out there. Be gentle :-).