[Don_Lightfoot]

One of the Professional Appraisers in our area is a guy I know quite well and he occasionally calls me for some input on GM Musclecars. He's reviewing a triple Black 69 SS automatic convertible built in Oshawa. The guy comes across to my friend as being full of BS. The owner says the car has original quarters (wrong - the appraiser could tell), owner says the car was an L78 originally (I told the appraiser that none were built in Oshawa to my knowledge). The owner does not have the GM of Canada package and has no intention of ordering it. There are apparently some signs on the car of equipment that came with an SS.

After the first call from my friend I asked if the trim tag had codes such as L35, L34 or M40 on it. He went back for a second look and confirmed NO.

My question is - Did all 69 SS's built in Oshawa have the engine and transmission code on the trim tag?

Appreciate it.

 

[LS7]

To date, every Oshawa big block built 69' Chevelle I have come in contact with has had the RPO on the trim tag.

That said, I am aware of a known '69 SS in the area that can not obtain docs. from GM Canada for reasons unknown to me.

Never say never, but in this case with the documentation readily available and not being pursued, buyer beware.

Just my opinion.

 

[Don_Lightfoot]

That's been my understanding as well John, thanks.

 

[DaleM]

I think even non-SS optioned 69's from Oshawa had the engine RPO on the tag if it was an optional V8. I have one tag with L48 and M38 on it on my Chevellestuff.com site.

 

[Bow_Tied]

FWIW, mine shows L35 & M20 on my cowl tag.

 

[Keith Tedford]

Here in our area, I have yet to see a '69 L78 car that wasn't US built. I have never seen an Oshawa built L78. They did build L72 full sized cars back in '66. Both our COPO and L78 cars are from Baltimore and any of the other documented cars that I know of around here are also Baltimore built. Just get the VIN from the car and pay for the documentation if you are thinking of buying the car. Might just be the best $50 you ever spent.

 

[LS7]

I should ammend my previous post by adding that I have only seen RPO L35/L34 as well, as far as the big bocks.

I agree with Keith, (probably) no such thing as an Oshawa built L78.:noway:

 

[Don_Lightfoot]

Thanks for the additional confirmations guys.

 

[Dan Orgill]

Don, FWIW, I have L35 & M40 on my tag.

 

[SS69Chevelle]

FWIW, in my research sheet for Oshawa, I have the following (to date):
Big Block................Small Block...............Trans only
L35-M20=8.............L48-M20=1...............M35=6
L35-MC1=1.............L48-M38=3...............M38=3
L35-M40=5.............L65-MC1=1
L34-M20=1
L34-M21=2
L34-M40=3

This is only the reported data and I do not have pics for each of them for verification, I do have a few pics on file. It does appear that in some cases only the trans was identified on some tags but I do not have anything that shows if any of those were big block cars.

hope this helps, although it may only beg for additional info,
Take care all, Andy

 

[deaddog]

Don , it's my understanding too , that all Cdn Built cars had the engine code on the cowl tag, I've never seen one without it. With regard to an L78 being built in Canada,....never say never , but I've yet to see one.