1965 SURVEY

[Mark F.]

Calling on all 1965 Corvette owners without power windows to respond to survey.

It has generally been accepted that all St.Louis built cars have a dimple in the door jamb. This dimple is located midway in the jamb and served as an indexing mark for the cutout necessary for the installation of the power window option. This cutout was necessary to allow the metal tube that covered the power window wire as the door opened and closed. Without power windows, this dimple simply remained visible in the jamb.

It has also been generally accepted that this dimple was found only on St Louis cars, but not AOS built cars. Examples of AOS cars with the dimple have been noted, however and this survey is to determine if there is a vin number range for AOS built cars with the dimple.

Responses may be sent to me at sollifter@aol.com. If I receive enough of a sample size, I will share the survey with the membership in a future Restorer article.

Thanks,

Mark Francois
member: 26312
sollifter@aol.com

[Wayne M.]

Be sure to factor-in "over-restored" A-bodies

which may (depending your survey results) be filled in by body shop. Best to ask if original jambs.

Same situation with the nipple protruding from the hood gutter, near the middle of the air grille, driver side. Can't recall if this was on S or A-bodies, but usually disappears with excessive sanding/body work.

[John H.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

Are you sure about the "difference" between A.O. Smith and St. Louis bodies? That hinge pillar panel (and every other fiberglass panel on the car) was made by one supplier, out of one mold, and was supplied to both A.O. Smith and St. Louis for final assembly. If there was a "dimple" in the molded part, it would appear on every car, regardless of the final assembly plant, unless either of the plants elected to fill it prior to paint on non-power window cars.

[Mark F.]

Re: Be sure to factor-in "over-restored" A-bodies

I have owned both StLouis and AOS cars and both have the nipple, or wart as I call it in the hood gutter. As far as I am aware all cars had the hood wart, but only a small percentage of AOS cars have the dimple in the door jamb.

Good point on the query for over restored door jambs.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

all my midyears with aos bodies lack the PW dimple and all from st louis have the dimple. been looking at midyears on judging fields for years and this holds true in original door jamb panels being judged. Rivets in doors also differ between st louis and AO Smith. regards, mike

[Mark F.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

Quite sure regarding the prevealence of dimples on SL cars and rare occurance on AOS cars. This fact has been confirmed with very knowledgeable NCRS members.

If indeed all parts were made by a single supplier as you say, then perhaps it was an AOS practice to fill, and a few of them got away. I am hoping that someone out there knows the history here.

[Mark F.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

Hi Mike:

Your response is similar to what is generally accepted, however I am aware of two AOS cars that do have the pw dimples. My unrestored, no hit 65 and one additional. My 65 also possesses the flat head door rivets as well as the "glued" on wire harness brackets in the engine compartment, both specific to AOS cars.

I am hoping to find several more cars and correlate a vin number range with perhaps a particular event, say the November 64 strike.

Mark

[Mike M.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

good luck mark. be sure to notify Dale Fiet if you uncover definative evidence. mike

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1965 SURVEY

I have seen a few AOS with the PW dimple in the jam. It is uncommon, but it did happen. I dont think that they were filled though. I have never seen any evidence of that.