67 Owners Manual edition cut-off date

[Karl #35089]

'67 Smith body build 3/29 & final assembly 4/10. Not sure who packed the glove box, (Smith or St. Louis), or at what point in the month the initial 2nd edition books are seen typically. Certainly a 1st edition would be best, but if I'm cheap will a 2nd edition judge without a deduct? Thanks, Karl

[Dave S.]

Re: 67 Owners Manual edition cut-off date

The owners manual was put in the car at the factory. I don't believe anyone really knows officially when the changeover took place, but seeing as the second edition is dated April 1967 it would be safe to say any car built after April 1 should in fact have a second edition. I'm sure some built after April 1 had first editions but we will never know for sure. Maybe even some March built cars had second editions. Go with the second edition and save yourself about $250.

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 Owners Manual edition cut-off date

Revision control of owner's manuals was pretty 'sloppy' in my experience. Later revision books typically kept the same PN as earlier versions which would have mixed them in a common inventory bin....

Consider 1965. In mid model year, two new engine configurations were introduced (327/350 and 396/425) that weren't available at the start of production when the 1st edition owners manual was printed.

The second edition book came out approx Jan '65. BUT, original cars built as late as April/May have been seen with the older 1st edition books in them including 327/350 and 396/425 car configurations!

This might explain why you see little info in the judging guide books as to what edition owner's manual is 'correct' for a given VIN sequence of cars! Suffice it to say, cars built BEFORE the release of a subsequent owner's manual revision should have the early book and VERY late build cars ought to have the later revision book. For cars built after the second release of a given book, the world's a JUNGLE!!!!!!

[Dave S.]

Re: 67 Owners Manual edition cut-off date

In 1965 second edition manuals are dated December 1964 and have several printing changes from first editions. The introduction of the big block was one of the reasons for the changes. The most difficult and expensive original owners manuals to locate are 67 first editions and 65 second editions.