factoryben

Black was discontinued after the 1969 model year for Corvette. It returned in 1977.

Wow. I have an 81 Eldorado with the 368 and i am familiar with all the problems in that engine. I have not had any Cadillacs with the HT4100. I have had 2 Cadillacs (a 2001 and a 2004) with Northstar engines. The earlier Northstar had many of the problems similar to those you related to the HT4100. Headgaskets, head bolts and many coolant leaks. Engine had to be fully rebuilt at 190,000. Not complaining but something was always going wrong. After the rebuild it has been fine. The 04 also has been fine, at least to 160,000. My only point is that it looks like Cadillac engineers designed at least 3 engines that had some serious shortcomings. At least that has been my experience with the 368 and the earlier Northstar.

D Yaros: Think the engine you are referring to was the 368 engine offered in 1981 Eldorados. It was designed to run in either 4 cylinder mode, 6 cylinder mode or all 8 cylinders. Valves were rendered open or inoperable by electronic computer. Designed for optimum gas mileage or power as operator determined. Many owners complained that the transitions between the modes were jerky. Operation far from Cadillac smooth. After significant development costs Cadillac dropped the engine for 82. I have heard the HT4100 was considered low on power but otherwise dependable.

The compressor in front of the power steering unit is for 58 Buick air suspension. It did not work well and most were removed and converted to spring suspension.

Fresh from Winter storage!

Regarding functionality: The '65, '66 and '67 had slots that vented engine compartment air. Same with the '73 through '79. Don't know how effective these designs were. I am not very knowledgeable about Vettes newer than '82 so won't comment on those models.

Great quiz. For the crazy Corvette aficionados #3 could be a '53 or a '54 (maybe even a very rare '55 six cylinder); #4 could be a '73, '74 or '75; #5 could a '58 (although the '58 red is more orange), '59 or a '60; #6 could be a "65 or '66. Keep us guessing. Loved the quiz.

Just one interesting note on the 67 SS model. GM offered a bench seat option with strato backs on the 67 SS models. When ordered the SS car did not have a center console and the shifter was on the column. Had one of these, a 396. Picture of the car attached. Don't have any interior pics.

Sold for $16,000.

True. Thanks for your input. I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks EmTee. That idea makes a lot of sense to me. I could just eliminate the attachment bolts which were badly rusted and had to be ground off. Only downside I see is future removal of the pad would be difficult. Good idea!

I have removed the bumper pad from the rear bumper of my 74 LeSabre convertible. It looks fine but was lumpy. The cause was the metal strip the runs under the pad, which the pad is attached to and to which the attachment bolts run through. This metal strap was badly rusted. There is a fiber cushioning pad that runs between this metal strap and the bumper. I presume this cushion retained moisture and caused the severe rust. My question is if anyone has found a method to replace the metal strap. I am thinking of using a plastic strap, maybe 1/4" thick, that I can heat mold to fit the bumper. I could drill and insert connecting bolts. I would then glue the bumper pad on. The plastic would act as its own cushioning. Any one try something that worked? Thoughts on my suggestion?

Regarding the top liner on the Centurion, the scissor tops from GM featured a "bladder" that was a liner like piece that went from the center bow (not from the header), expanded to cover the area behind the rear windows and to which the glass rear window was glued. It had drain tubes attached to the lower corners next to the window. Water drained off the exterior top fabric into these bladder/window drains and exited though the tubes out vents in the rocker panels. These bladders often showed wear due to being pinched when the top was lowered. When tops were replaced they were cut back to ease in the install of the new top I presume. I have owned many of these cars and this "cut off" appearance of the bladder is not uncommon. These modifications make for a "dilapidated" look on the inside and often cause water to drain inside the quarters rather than through the drains. A new bladder would have to installed. That would require the detachment of the rear part of the top fabric, pulling it forward to install the new bladder and re-gluing the window to the new bladder. Basic conclusion though is this top has been replaced. No surprise there.

Don't know the specific years or the production numbers but I have seen Toronado convertibles in the 1982 to 1985 variety. I think they were converted by ASC as well.

I have owned Chev, Buick and Eldorado convertibles from this time frame. 3 Eldorados (1972, 1973 and 1975), 2 Buicks (1974, 1975) and 1 Caprice (1974) have been relatively low mileage original cars. None have had headliners. I also have a 1984 Buick Riviera convertible and it does have the headliner. From my research I concur with Y-Job Fan that the 84 Riv was the first to have the headliner.