67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

[Donald T.]

Any opinions? The AOS body and build date would seem to preclude big block. Seller insists AOS produced BB bodies through April 67. I'm aware of the possibility of a few very early production AOS BB bodies, but April? The body build date of 2/6/67 seems too early for the VIN (calculates to April 24th). Check out the marks next to the VIN tag; has it been replaced? Mismatched head casting dates? Rear axle code? Painted engine pad conveniently obscures broach marks. No pics of the rear suspension, tank sticker, or the alleged authentication. Side pipes obviously not original. It's difficult to tell from the pic, but isn't that a small block fuel line?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320081411932

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

Here's something else interesting. It was originally listed under auction number 320080727780, which was allegedly won for $145,000. Then 15 minutes later it is relisted under auction 320081411932. What's going on here?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

AOS cars shouldn't have side pipes, either.

He calls it "unrestored" yet the engine has been out and rebuilt, and it's been repainted. Yah, OK.

I wouldn't even think about this car unless I spent hours going over it myself.

Patrick

[Bryan L.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

That car is bogus with a capital B. It was shill bid to 145K and then relisted 15 minutes later. Someone is trolling for a sucker.

BL

[Steve B.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

I wrote a polite email to that gentleman a couple of months ago telling him that AO smith did not produce BBs in 67 and if he bought the car under false pretenses that he may be able to recoup damages. His email was very hostile, I wish that I had saved it but it basically said that I am an idiot and that I should hit the books before opening my mouth!! I should buy the car just for the lawsuit that I would put him through LOL. This car and many others is the reason why a service like Al Grennings is essential. I am so tired of seeing people getting taken by crooks like this and once that happens I am pretty sure that person will not buy another vintage Corvette, whether it's to drive or to show, which hurts the hobby I love!
Regards,

[John H.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

Just look at the trim tag - that's the worst comedy-of-errors/packed-full-of-mistakes reproduced trim tag in history. I swapped e-mails with that idiot and finally gave up - he's just another fraud-flipper.

[Chris Patrick]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

"This car and many others is the reason why a service like Al Grennings is essential."

Actually, I think it is cars like this that have created a service like Al's because people are too lazy to do their own work. There shouldn't be a need, if people would just look and pay attention that there is fraud going on in the collector car industry and that they need to be educated.

Hiring someone for $200 or so to look at a car before buying is much better than hiring someone after as an expert witness along with an attorney.

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

Here's the response I received from the seller, also after a polite email.

"You lack expertise in Corvettes then. AO Smith built big block bodies through April of 1967 the side pipes were added to the car by the second owner. It is a misconception that St Louis was the soul builder of big block bodies. The bottom line is the cars body was built by AO then sent to St Louis for assembly. Please research the corvette line more carefully as to stop perpetuating misleading information."

Some additional interesting information. The car was previously sold at auction. The stamp pad was listed as T0205JE at the auction. Now the car has a stamp pad of T0330JE. It's the same VIN and even has the same license plate.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/chassisNum.aspx?idNumID=613&carID=219

[Donald T.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

The info with the VIN and stamp pad are at the bottom of the page.

http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z219/default.aspx

[John H.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

Here's the latest response I got from the seller after continuing to prod him about the discrepancies:

"ya...you and every body else...car was inspected today by an NCRS judge and i have his three page report authenticating the car....go back to work for GM they need you...hahahha"

I simply responded that "the tag is fake, the car is a fraud, and you're a scumbag", and left it at that.

[Steve B.]

Re: 67 AOS Big Block Survivor?

John, I would love to see the allegged three page report from the NCRS judge authenticating that car. I hope he sells it to the wrong guy and when he finds out its a fake makes that scumbags life miserable.

[Mark #28455]

legal definition of "NCRS Judge"

Technically, if a person were to have been a "judge" at one NCRS function (ie. a newbie at a chapter meet) even if he judged the 1984's, then he could describe himself as an NCRS judge.

It all goes back to "buyer beware"!

Mark

[Michael S.]

Re: legal definition of "NCRS Judge"

Based upon the above definition of a judge, I know consider myself a bonafide NCRS judge.

I am now in the business of NCRS inspecting cars. Please contact me if you need my services and how many pages you wish with your report!

[Donald T.]

Re: legal definition of "NCRS Judge"

If he really had an inspection report from an NCRS judge, he would have added the pics of the documentation to the listing. I don't believe him for a minute.