rear defroster / blower motor
Just purchased a early 66 coupe 101743 that has a rear defroster/ blower motor installed but has no side vents. Was this still factory installed in 66.
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You must be talking about the rear cockpit air extraction system that was on all '64 and '65 Coupes. It's not a rear defroster. In any event this is very strange! Do you see a wire harness and electrical connectors on the motor?
I believe the two or three speed motor was operated by a similar looking knob that was to the left of the two front side vent pull knobs under the IP. Is this third similar looking knob there?
I guess the last question is are you sure that your car is a '66 and not maybe a '65 that had the B-pillar vents glassed in.
Duke -
Mike,
The C2 Registry says it’s an L79, Milano Maroon, with side exhaust.
GaryComment
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Why would anyone in their right mind install that blower system when there was no outlet?
I still want to know from the OP if there is a wiring harness with an electrical connector to the motor, and also the control knob that I explained in my previous post.
I have a bizarre theory theory of why it's there, but I need the above information.
DukeComment
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The couple who were the original owners of my ‘66 coupe lived in Columbus, Ohio. The ‘66 was the wife’s commute car to her work. Because of the summer heat, and the fact my car has no AC, the husband cut four rectangular holes, each about 5” wide x 3” tall in the vertical panel beneath the rear window in order to get more air ventilation into the cabin. I can only imagine how effective that was and whether exhaust fumes from under the rear also made it into the cabin. So, I can see why someone might have added a rear blower from a ‘65 to a ‘66. Even though the rear blower is purported to not be particularly effective.
To the owner’s credit, he did cover the four holes with some attractive metal grills.
GaryComment
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In 1966, they were originally planning on keeping the roof vent... with some modifications:
1966 Roof Panel.gif
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the bean counters put a stop to that idea real quick I think.Comment
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Ok Mike I am not sure of the previous owners besides the one I purchased from and his name was Gene. I removed the long panel covering motor and under panel was more carpet covering access to motor. I will have to remove seat to get back there to see whats going on with extra carpet that appeares to be glued in place. There is no cable that I can see to controll switch. EdComment
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I had to take that motor out of my ‘65 a couple of years ago. It is possible to work back there with the seats still in place. Fold the passenger seat forward, get yourself some pillows to lie on, find a good light, and you’ll be fine. Just make sure to take all the tools you need the first time… MikeComment
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Ok had time to check out rear blower and it looks all factory for a 65 to me. Controll cable has been cut off and there is no power to motor. So only way it can vent is out the drain hole. Pics wont upload says unknown error.Comment
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Rear blower motor runs very slow only and switch at blower gets very hot. Everything about this vette says its a 65 with no side vents. Clutch rods and Z bar dimensions are for a 65. Alternator is on pass side intake part #is 3844461. Vin is for a 66.Comment
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What does a plant manager do with leftover parts not used in the new model year? Sending them to service parts is one way, but if service parts doesn't want them - like they already have enough of a low volume part - what's left? A final disposition can be to scrap them, but that can be a black mark on the plant manager for ordering too many parts.
So how about just installing them in next early next model year cars, especially parts that are buried behind trim panels that most owners will never know are there.
Reminds me of a comment George Harrison made during a Traveling Wilburys recording session. One of the band members detected flaws in one of the recorded tracks and Harrison remarked: We'll bury 'em in the mix". Problem solved.
Using left over parts in early production for the next model year is not uncommon as is using the next years parts in late production of the preceding model year as long as fit, form, and function are not adversely affected.
I'm sure the line guys who installed those rear extraction blowers on '65s, were glad they wouldn't have to do that for the whole '66 model year.
DukeComment
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Ed------
Whenever I hear of problems like you have, I think of one thing: the VIN tag was transferred from another car to the car you now own. In other words, you have a 1966 VIN tag that was attached to a 1965 model car. Why does this sort of thing happen? It's like this:
First, keep in mind that these cars are now 60 years old. They have likely had many owners over the years and for the first 10 or 15 years of their life, they were just drivers, not the classics they have become. Let's say that once-upon-a-time someone had a 1966 Corvette that got totaled and the owner didn't have insurance. So, what to do? Well, one thing might be to find another Corvette, steal it, remove its VIN plate and transfer the VIN plate from the wrecked car. Now, all was well and who would know the difference? The fact that there was a slight model year difference wouldn't be much of a problem. In the past, whenever I've seen "model year discrepancies" such as you've described, what I've just described has often been the root of the problem.
This is why I always advise folks that are buying an old, NOW classic car to check the frame VIN numbers. Yes, these are hard to access but that's why they "speak so loudly" because they are hard to tamper with.
By the way, as an easy first check, what about the engine and transmission VIN derivative stampings? Do, they match the VIN on the car? Or, do they match a 1965 Corvette?In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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