Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

[Joe C.]

There are probably 2 firmly entrenched camps regarding this, but let's try to put our objective hats on for this one.
Initially, when Dow started making Corvette bodies for 1963, it is fairly universally accepted that they had lots of catching up to do with the in house product. It is also fair to say that, as time went on, Smith got better and better. Some say that the quality was about even by mid 1965 production, and that, by 1967, the Smith body actually was a better piece than the StLoo. What say you all?

Also, there are supposedly lots of subtle differences between the two over the years. E.G.:

Differences in body number markings/option combo codes/locations (see Noland book).
Blackout coverage differences. (TIM&JG)
Overspray differences. (TIM&JG)
Supposed differences in door jamb config. (??) I've never seen that.
Supposed differences in "hood curvature". Hood bows up in the middle with Smith bodies.

I've seen some, but not all of this. Was Ionia unfairly maligned all of these years?

Joe

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

All I can say is the my '67 car is not an AOS body and it fits together like crap. The top rear of the drivers door sits about 3/8" below the deck lid/rear quarter while mid body or "shine line" matches up with the quarter and front fender, the passenger door isn't too bad. My car is a convertible, however a friend of mine has a 67 coupe that fits the same. Another friend ended up moving his mid body lines so things would line up. He resolved the fit by building up the door in various places. Also there is a rather spacious door gap between the drivers door and the top of the front fender. The rear deck lid fits very tight too. It's been suggested by several folks that this is fairly "normal" for this plant's workmanship.

[John H.]

Re: Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

I've had several from each body source over the years, and it's been my experience that the A.O. Smith bodies had slightly better attention to detail and fits, although I don't think you can make a blanket statement; both plants had their good and bad days. Having lived in assembly plants all my life, I can assure you that when an A.O. Smith-bodied car got fewer body-related demerits in the daily finished-vehicle quality audit than a St. Louis-bodied car, the "heat was on" at St. Louis to improve. I'm sure the competition benefitted the customer as the years progressed.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

While it is easy to point the finger at one plant or another, the problems run much deeper.

First, it was a fiberglass body. It didn't come out of the mold as nice as a stamped steel fender or door. It required much more time to get to the same level of refinement, however, that wasn't in the schedule.

Second, mold accuracy wasn't all it was cracked up to be. With the limited numbers, tens of thousands versus millions, molds were made and if they were off a bit, then sand until it was right, not remake a mold. That would upset the budget too much.

Third, there is a great story how the coupe roof was buit on the wrong dimensions, such that the panel outer should have been the panel's inner dimension. Did they fix it? Yes, with a bit of sanding and bonding material, not a new mold.

So it wasn't simply a case of the guys in the body shop but also the design engineers and the people who paid the money who are also responsible for what came out. Compare to other fiberglass cars of the era and then remember to put in the price tag and the number of cars per day. There were over 100 Corvettes per day built, versus the dozen or so of other brand fiberglass cars.

[Jim W.]

My AOS Body Experience

Several years ago I bought a late '67 AOS bodied coupe. It wasn't until after I had it a while that I noticed differences from my previous three St. Louis bodied '67's. Its panels seemed slightly bulbous and its lines were not as crisp as my St. Louis bodied cars. It was a three-owner '67 with no history of damage and repair. My current St. Louis bodied Corvette is an early '67 convertible that I bought in 1980. It has always had excellent lines and fit. Doors, rear deck lid, hood and headlight doors. I have owned other mid-years but the '67 coupe was my only AOS bodied car and noticably different from the others. Just my observation. Jim Weeks - Member #2978

[Donald M.]

Re: Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

Joe, FWIW, my AOS '67 coupe hood bows up in the middle. I always just accepted it as characteristic of the workmanship of that era. Also, did I mention that it's a BB hood/SB car?
Don

[Robert R.]

Re: Did Ionia Ever Get It Right?

Just to throw my 2 cents worth in. Recalling my 67 coupe (now gone to a new owner). It was an AOS body. While repainting it, we did also see that buldge in the hood. We left it alone. Also, there were two creases in the lower door skins. Also left alone during the repaint. But other than that, it was one of the best fitting body when compared to others seen at that time.