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At Bloomington last weekend I was looking at some mid-year big block cars. I was told by some people there that big blocks were put into St Louis made bodies only. One of the cars I was looking at was a '67 427/435. I was told by numerous people that the car was a fake because it had an AO Smith body. I realize St Louis bodies have a "dimple" located on the body between the door hinges. This car did not have a "dimple" and the trim tag indicated an AO Smith body. Could someone explain this to me, I've never heard this before. Is it really possible that big blocks were put into St Louis made bodies only ? If this true could you help me understand why. Thanks Steve
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Re: Big Block cars/St Louis bodies
There seems to be evidence (cars) out there with big blocks and each type of body. I know of two cars built within 3 weeks of each other, one of each body type, and one is a 390 HP and the other is a a 425 HP car. Both cars are believed to be original big block cars.
I have heard that hoods of each body type must be used on the "matching" body type due to minor differences which can be detected and causes a mis-fit. So, it would seem that if there are AO Smith big block hoods, that is conclusive evidence that big blocks came in those bodies.
Anyone out there with more details of this? -
Re: Big Block cars/St Louis bodies
There seems to be evidence (cars) out there with big blocks and each type of body. I know of two cars built within 3 weeks of each other, one of each body type, and one is a 390 HP and the other is a a 425 HP car. Both cars are believed to be original big block cars.
I have heard that hoods of each body type must be used on the "matching" body type due to minor differences which can be detected and causes a mis-fit. So, it would seem that if there are AO Smith big block hoods, that is conclusive evidence that big blocks came in those bodies.
Anyone out there with more details of this?Comment
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Re: '67 Big Block A-bodies
Steve --- What you heard about no big block '67 A.O.Smith cars is mostly correct, although I can only refer to what Noland's Vol 2 pg.384 has to say. Apparently Ionia personnel went to St.Louis to master the "art" of painting the hood stripes on big block hoods, but it was too difficult for them; hence the decision to produce big blocks only at St.Louis. By then, body production (incl. big blocks) had already started at both locations, but without hood stripes. The Ionia plant went on strike in mid-September 1966, so big block A-bodies after (roughly) VIN # 1000 should be questioned.
In '65 and '66, there's photographic proof of big block cars on the body line at Ionia (again Noland's Vol 2 and RESTORER Vol 6, #2 & 3). As to the "dimples", are these not just locator points for cutting the slot in the door pillar for power window conduits, if so equipped ? As to Everett's comment about A-body hoods being different than S-body hoods, I have not heard this before. Both body lines initially (mid-'64) used the same third party sources for fibreglass components, but the Restorer articles also indicate that by '65/'66 SOME components were molded at Ionia.
About the only justification for restricting certain body options to St.Louis is expertise (see above re paint) or very low production coupled with complex body modifications, ie. 36 gallon cars (although the jury is out on the one or two tankers with A-body trim tags).Comment
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Re: '67 Big Block A-bodies
Steve --- What you heard about no big block '67 A.O.Smith cars is mostly correct, although I can only refer to what Noland's Vol 2 pg.384 has to say. Apparently Ionia personnel went to St.Louis to master the "art" of painting the hood stripes on big block hoods, but it was too difficult for them; hence the decision to produce big blocks only at St.Louis. By then, body production (incl. big blocks) had already started at both locations, but without hood stripes. The Ionia plant went on strike in mid-September 1966, so big block A-bodies after (roughly) VIN # 1000 should be questioned.
In '65 and '66, there's photographic proof of big block cars on the body line at Ionia (again Noland's Vol 2 and RESTORER Vol 6, #2 & 3). As to the "dimples", are these not just locator points for cutting the slot in the door pillar for power window conduits, if so equipped ? As to Everett's comment about A-body hoods being different than S-body hoods, I have not heard this before. Both body lines initially (mid-'64) used the same third party sources for fibreglass components, but the Restorer articles also indicate that by '65/'66 SOME components were molded at Ionia.
About the only justification for restricting certain body options to St.Louis is expertise (see above re paint) or very low production coupled with complex body modifications, ie. 36 gallon cars (although the jury is out on the one or two tankers with A-body trim tags).Comment
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