I have read that the frame for '64 corvettes changed on or near April 22 around car number 16000. The change was the addition of the Triangular shaped gussets on the side rails and number 3 crossmember just in front of the kickup. The part number of the frame which was stenciled on the side changed at this time as well. My car has these gussets. The problem is that my car was built April 6 and is about 1000 cars too early to have the gussets according to the experts. The frame has my VIN derivitive stamped into it, and judging by the horrible condition of the gussets, they have been there the whole time. The easiest thing for me to do would be to take them off when I have the frame blasted, stencil on the accepted part number and shut up. I really hate to lose an original feature (or even anomaly). I was hoping that other owners of 64 cars would let me know their completion date or VIN number and whether or not their car has these gussets. I would love to get a little better idea when this changeover actually occurred. I would especially like to hear from anyone who has a car later than 15000 and doesn't have the reinforcements. As long as I'm asking, it would be great if you could include which bellhousing number you have and which interior rear view mirror as well.
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The "experts" may be wrong!
Sounds like the frame is original. I wouldn't modify it. It's very difficult to tell when parts actually showed up on the assembly line. The change date in the AIM revision record is merely the date that document changed. The actual change on the line could have been sooner or later depending on when parts were available and the disposition of superceded parts. The "old" frames were probably used until the supply was exhausted, but, depending on how parts were stacked at the plant, the "new" frames could have showed up earlier than is presently believed.
If inspection tends to support that the frame is original, take lots of pictures before you begin any restoration, especially of the gussets and VIN stamps and argue with the judges later if you have to. Nobody really knows all the nitty gritty details of production and the engineering and production records are apparently lost or destroyed. New information comes from original unmolested cars like yours.
Duke
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