Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many L79 convertibles were built?
A: There is no known
breakdown of L79 optioned Chevelles, Chevy II, or Corvettes by body style or how many came with optional
gear ratios, etc. and will probably never
be known
unless we can register and document all L79 cars sold, which isn't
in the realm of possibility for obvious reasons. See
How Many L79's Based On Body Style
Were Sold? for more insight on L79 numbers vs. body styles.
Q: Didn't all L79 cars have gauges and a tachometer?
A: No. The Instrument Panel Gauges, or Special Instrumentation, sold
under RPO U14 was always an option regardless of year although the 1964
& 1965 Malibu SS did have gauges due to the Malibu SS itself and not the L79 engine.
Q: Is my L79 real?
A: This can be tricky at best. To some, 'real' means the car
has the correct and original engine it was born with and can be
matched to some form of documentation. To some, it means if the
documentation says it was born with the L79
option, it doesn't (relatively) matter that the engine has been
replaced for one reason or another; whether by a dealer under
warranty or an over-avid enthusiast 'back-in-the-day' due to out of
warranty breakage. Consider if the car has a warranty engine with CE
code or a base 327/300 motor dressed to appear as a L79
engine, but has documentation that is original to the car as noted by
the VIN sequence and other information of the sheet matching the
trim tag.
As far as the L79 Registry is concerned, correct and valid documentation is the primary objective in the registry, not current engine or condition of the Chevelle.
