opinions on what to look for on 62 409 bubbletop

[black69]

any tips on what to look for to determine if original? I heard the badge placement is unique on real cars on the front fenders? without documentation, are they a risky bet? I grew up with my dad's 62 chevy and now have a an interest in one.
-bob

[Late BrakeU2]

Owner history if you have no docs, which are as about as rare on these as one's with original drivelines.

I just put mine on Hemmings(only place listed) it's a real one with track and owner history back to new. VN built black/red very correct car.

(pardon the cheap promotion)

[RPOLS3]

Here is a thread that talks about what to look for (thread is actually about a Caprice, but further in there is discussion about a 409....keep looking)

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/show...0/fpart/2/vc/1

Verne Frantz is a great resource here. Unfortunately many of the things to look for to authenticate a real 409 can be installed on a clone so as others have said owner history and documentation is helpful. We have a real one so you can PM me if you like for more information. Good luck.

Jake

[John Brown]

Don't know if all 409 cars were this way, but I recall the high performance cars had two upper control arms and two lowers on the rear end instead of just having two lowers and only one upper.

[ohhawk]

[ QUOTE ]
Owner history if you have no docs, which are as about as rare on these as one's with original drivelines.

I just put mine on Hemmings(only place listed) it's a real one with track and owner history back to new. VN built black/red very correct car.

(pardon the cheap promotion)

[/ QUOTE ]

It is a very nice car by the way (another cheap promo). Good luck Mark.

[quik9r]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't know if all 409 cars were this way, but I recall the high performance cars had two upper control arms and two lowers on the rear end instead of just having two lowers and only one upper.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is wrong.

[Verne_Frantz]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't know if all 409 cars were this way, but I recall the high performance cars had two upper control arms and two lowers on the rear end instead of just having two lowers and only one upper.

[/ QUOTE ]

John, Chevy never built a 61-64 409 car with two upper rear control arms, not even the Z-11s. IT was common for people to add one though. It probably helped a little bit, but the left (added) one was actually mounted on the edge of the pumpkin due to the offset of the pumpkin. There was still nothing to prevent the left axle tube from twisting. (tell me how I know that )

As far as determining whether a car was originally a 409, if the car is restored with all new & repro stuff, it's practically impossible. A reliable paperwork trail, owner history and pre-resto photos are the main proofs.

Verne

[black69]

thanks for the tips and links with clues. I figure 'low price' without docs, 'high price' with docs.