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With all this recent discussion regarding the 1963-64 Corvette shock upper retainer, I was reminded of a question that I've had for a long time regarding the 65-82 retainer. I've just never actually taken the time to research this issue and settle it in my mind once-and-for-all. Now, I have, and I think the answer might interest some of you.
First, the background: the upper front shock retainer used for 1965-82 Corvettes was of GM #3790342. This retainer was definitely first used for 1965 and used throughout the rest of C2 and C3 production.
Next, my quandry: although first used in Corvettes for 1965, the part number strongly implies a late 1961-early 1962 release date. This means that the part had to have been used for some other application prior to its Corvette use. So, what was the application? The part has Chevrolet-only application and was never used for any other GM carline.
Finally, the answer: the GM #3790342 retainer was released and first used for the 1962 Chevy II upper front shock retainer and it continued to be used for that application through the 1967 model year.
So, for whatever reason, for the 1965 model year, Chevrolet engineers "reached into the Chevy II parts bin" and "plucked this one out" for use in Corvette. Most other model Chevrolets continued to use the "63-64 Corvette style" shock retainer which had been used for many years prior. I wonder why Chevrolet engineering decided that this different design upper retainer needed to be used on Corvettes? The Chevy II front suspension is completely different than Corvette front suspension which was much more akin and related to 58-64 Chevrolet full size passenger car suspension.
As far as I can tell, the 62-67 Chevy II and 65-82 Corvette are the ONLY applications for the 3790342 retainer.
By the way, the GM #3790342 retainer is NOT used with the more-or-less standard grommet used for most other applications. It's used with its own special grommet of GM #3790341.
First, the background: the upper front shock retainer used for 1965-82 Corvettes was of GM #3790342. This retainer was definitely first used for 1965 and used throughout the rest of C2 and C3 production.
Next, my quandry: although first used in Corvettes for 1965, the part number strongly implies a late 1961-early 1962 release date. This means that the part had to have been used for some other application prior to its Corvette use. So, what was the application? The part has Chevrolet-only application and was never used for any other GM carline.
Finally, the answer: the GM #3790342 retainer was released and first used for the 1962 Chevy II upper front shock retainer and it continued to be used for that application through the 1967 model year.
So, for whatever reason, for the 1965 model year, Chevrolet engineers "reached into the Chevy II parts bin" and "plucked this one out" for use in Corvette. Most other model Chevrolets continued to use the "63-64 Corvette style" shock retainer which had been used for many years prior. I wonder why Chevrolet engineering decided that this different design upper retainer needed to be used on Corvettes? The Chevy II front suspension is completely different than Corvette front suspension which was much more akin and related to 58-64 Chevrolet full size passenger car suspension.
As far as I can tell, the 62-67 Chevy II and 65-82 Corvette are the ONLY applications for the 3790342 retainer.
By the way, the GM #3790342 retainer is NOT used with the more-or-less standard grommet used for most other applications. It's used with its own special grommet of GM #3790341.