Okay, is Steve Magnante on Barrett Jackson full of it or am I?

[usraptor]

I was watching the Barrett Jackson Las Vegas auction last week and as much as I admire Steve Magnante's encyclopedic knowledge of cars he once again, as he does every auction, stated something as fact that I totally disagree with.  Once again when a 1970 Cuda crossed the auction block if it had through the valance chrome exhaust tips, I believe it was fender tag N42, Magnante would state in no uncertain terms that in Calif you could NOT get a 'Cuda with through the valance exhaust due to noise restrictions. That the 'Cudas purchased in Calif came with turn down exhaust tips.  It's not a big deal but since I owned a Calif bought '70 'Cuda it just bugs me that he states it as fact every auction when I know, at least in my case, that what he's saying is not true.  My first new car was a 1970 'Cuda that I factory ordered in Nov of 1969 from a Southern California dealer.  It had the 383 Magnum engine, A833 4-speed and a 3:55 sure grip rear end among many other options.  I'm sure it was a one of one car.  Anyway, while the attached picture of the back of my original '70 'Cuda is not the clearest you can see that it has through the valance chrome exhaust tips.  Also, even though it was 49 years ago, I remember seeing other 'Cudas on Calif streets and highways with through the valance exhaust tips.  So what am I or Magnante missing here?

[750-h2]

You bought the car new in California so you have to be correct.

[VCODE]

I have a 71 340 Cuda from CA no turn downs.
Bob

[formula_s]

How about Mike Joy saying that VIN tampered 70 340 'cuda was "Top Banana".

[70 Challenger Lover]

I've heard many of those guys state inaccurate things. I know they have a lot of knowledge but no human being can know everything. I think you have to expect inaccurate comments from time to time. And as inaccurate comments are repeated again and again by reputable people, they eventually take hold and become concrete fact in the minds of most. That troubles me more. The worst is when someone is unwilling to consider they might be wrong about a particular fact.

[Brads70]

I've heard many of those guys state inaccurate things. I know they have a lot of knowledge but no human being can know everything. I think you have to expect inaccurate comments from time to time. And as inaccurate comments are repeated again and again by reputable people, they eventually take hold and become concrete fact in the minds of most. That troubles me more. The worst is when someone is unwilling to consider they might be wrong about a particular fact.

Sounds like politics .... and climate change arguments. 

[6bblgt]

here is how it works with 1970-'71 E-bodies to be registered in the state of CALIFORNIA:
440+6 and HEMI cars ONLY required sales code N97 "noise reduction" this was accomplished by
eliminating the "megaphone" chrome exhaust extensions/tips (no N42) sticking thru the rear valance

[Chryco Psycho]

This is what I was thinking that it was only R & V code & Maybe U code cars
Thanks @6bblgt 

[6bblgt]

& Maybe U code cars
Thanks @6bblgt 

NO  , but I'm surprised they sold 340+6 cars w/o "noise" modification in CA
I wonder if "limited production" or SCCA had something to do with that ?? 

[tparker]

Wish I could help but I have a 70 challenger with down turn exhaust. Though it originally was a 318 Western Sport Special.

However that doesn't really make sense since there were some bad ass cars sold in California. Not sure going through a piece of tin would make things louder or what not.

[JS29]

I did hear them say that 440x6 and Hemi's were restricted on the N42 on E-body's. 

[usraptor]

here is how it works with 1970-'71 E-bodies to be registered in the state of CALIFORNIA:
440+6 and HEMI cars ONLY required sales code N97 "noise reduction" this was accomplished by
eliminating the "megaphone" chrome exhaust extensions/tips (no N42) sticking thru the rear valance

Thanks, 6bblgt,  that clears it up somewhat.  I just wish they'd quit saying ALL 'Cuda's had to have the turn down exhaust tips.   

[70 Challenger Lover]

Of course the real take away here is that California was kooky even back then! It's not just a recent phenomenon.

[js27]

I also heard that it was mostly Cuda's that got the turn downs and not the Challengers. My 70 R/T had  the chrome tip but it was a 383 car.
JS27

[dodj]

Of course the real take away here is that California was kooky even back then! It's not just a recent phenomenon.

Too much sun affects decision making?