Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

[Joe R.]

The photo below shows two 1965 gas lids that I believe to be original. One lid has the "dimple" in the center of the backing plate that is generally associated with '65-'67 production cars, and the other lid has the no-dimple backing plate that is generally associated with L63-64 production cars.

I picked up the no-dimple lid at Carlisle many years ago and I do not know its origin. My guess was that it was an early production '65, but this was the only such '65 lid I had ever seen. Recently, a guy on Corvette Forum posted a photo of the no-dimple lid that was on his '65 built in December 1964. He had assumed that the lid was not original, but I think it might be the original lid.

My question is whether having a no-dimple gas lid on a '65 (especially an early production '65) is a "known thing" among experienced NCRS judges.

[Bill M.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

No dimple on 3912

[Michael M.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

I have an original gas door backing plate from a April built 1966 Coupe without a dimple.

[Joe R.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Wow, I've never seen a no-dimple backing plate on a '66. Is the gas lid still assembled?

[Michael M.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Joe,

The original gas door is not still assembled. When I purchase a new gas door I wanted to use the original white nylon spring loaded catch and the small slotted Fillister head screw.

[Chuck B.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

No dimple on 3542.

[Dick C.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

DFD29A33-2A72-425E-8D5D-B57DBE602472.jpg
Joe, Here is a picture from my 65 (20xxx)

[Mark L.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Wow, I've never seen a no-dimple backing plate on a '66. Is the gas lid still assembled?

Joe, I agree but there is always room to be proven wrong. What interests me in these anomalies is why the difference. Usually it has to do with cost, performance or government mandate. It also could include an alternate vendor. I'd guess the dimple is there to register alignment for assembly.

[James W.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Joe,

1965 VIN 2209x has the dimple.


James West

[Richard N.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

My 65 #7486 gas door is flat - no dimple.

[Joe R.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Joe, I agree but there is always room to be proven wrong. What interests me in these anomalies is why the difference. Usually it has to do with cost, performance or government mandate. It also could include an alternate vendor. I'd guess the dimple is there to register alignment for assembly.

Hi Mark:

The story I have heard about the addition of the dimple was that GM was trying to add some support for the plastic emblem insert. Reportedly, gas station attendants would sometimes close the lid forcefully using the palm of their hand, cracking the plastic insert.

I don't know whether this story is the real reason, but the change first appeared in the 1965 production year. Based on the reports in this thread, it appears there were definitely some no-dimple backing plates that appeared in early production for 1965, so my guess is that those backing plates were just leftover '64 units.

As I mentioned in my initial post, for several years I have had in my possession a no-dimple 1965 lid that appears to be an original GM lid. I picked that up at Carlisle, so I have no idea what car it came from. I kept it as a curiosity.

Up until a guy posted a photo of his no-dimple 1965 lid (December 1964 build) on Corvette Forum, I had never seen another one. He was assuming that it was not original, but I suspected it might be.

I made this post to ask whether a no-dimple lid on a 1965 is a "known thing" among experienced NCRS judges. My impression is that perhaps the answer is yes.

[Don H.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Joe
I think the no dimple lid is known since it is described in the 65 TIM &JG thusly:

Fuel door, bezel & emblem

The fuel door consists of a chrome frame with a plastic emblem insert that is unique to the 1965 model.

A chrome frame

[Roger H.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

My '65 has the dimple. #8438

[Joe R.]

Re: Did some 1965 gas lids have no "dimple" in the backing plate?

Joe
I think the no dimple lid is known since it is described in the 65 TIM &JG thusly:

Fuel door, bezel & emblem

The fuel door consists of a chrome frame with a plastic emblem insert that is unique to the 1965 model.

A chrome frame

Hi Don:

Thanks, that answers my question and confirms that the no-dimple lid on some 1965 Corvettes is a "known thing" in the NCRS.

My car is a '67, so I don't have the '65 JG. Interestingly, the guy who posted on Corvette Forum said he had checked the '65 JG and this was not addressed. Maybe he had an earlier edition of the JG.