1965 Big Block Verification

[Wes Price]

First of all, I am VERY new at this, and I am looking to buy my first corvette. I am looking at buying a 1965 convertible. The owner doesn't have any documentation that supports the fact that it is a big block car. Is there anything that can tell me that this was orginally a BB car? If there is a book that will help in this research that would be great too (I already have the Black Book). Thanks for the help.

Wes Price

[Joe L.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

Wes-----

This is an often-asked question. There is MUCH in the archives on this subject.

Basically, though, look for these things:

1) the presence of a rear stabilizer bar (unique to big blocks)

2) the presence of bolt-on, cap-type rear stub axle u-joint retainers (unique to big blocks for 1965)

3) 6500 redline tach (shared with L-76/L-84 small blocks)

4) left side battery installation (shared with A/C small blocks for 1965)

An original 1965 L-78 should have ALL of the above.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

And along with the left side battery, also the access panel for the battery in the rear of the driver's front wheel well.

Patrick

[William C.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

Also, look at the VIN, No 396 Corvettes were built before S/N 13000 or so. I believe the number may be in the Judging Guide, but I don't have it handy at the moment. Seriously, if you are new to the hobby, and looking at paying large money for a car like a '65 396 Corvette, I would strongly recommend that you hire someone with a lot of experience in these cars to look at it for or with you. It's hard to condense 20 or so years of experience into a few paragraphs on this board.

[John Daly]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

Wes
I would recommend that you contact your local chapter to see if you could contact a member to evaluate the car. It could save you a lot of money and headaches.

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

Bill Clupper gives you $40,000 worth of advice for free...

[John L.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

If you are looking into buying a big block mid year corvette for NCRS judging. I would suggest you spend what ever money it takes and get Al Grenning to look at the car for you. I say that because of two reasons. The engine pad and the trim tag. They are many folks who could verify the engine pad however there are probably less than a handful that could verify the trim tag and they were all trained by Al !! And in todays judging, the trim tag actually has the most impact on flight judging !!!

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

There are many NCRS members out there that have superior knowledge. To put your eggs all in one basket as to 1 members belief of their knowledge is not what I would recommend. Sorry...

[John L.]

Re: 1965 Big Block Verification

Dennis

I agree with you that there are in fact many NCRS members out there with superior knowledge of the cars except in the one area -- trim tags. My recommendation regarding the person I stated was purely tied to trim tags. I feel this is a fairly new area of intense scrutiny -- maybe even too new for most senior judges. I would hate to see someone spend 70-100k for a BB car only to find out the trim tag is not correct and then never be able to achieve a top flight unless they can find another original trim tag out of a similar car with a reasonable body number and body build date. What happens to the value of a car whose trim tag is now considered non-original. As time goes by I am sure there will be many judges who are well informed on trim tag nuances as is the case with engine pads. I just dont think there are that many right now.