AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

[Bill C.]

I have heard that AO Smith bodied midyears did not have side pipes and I am wondering where that information is availble. Thanks Bill #20328

[Kevin M.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

In about every Corvette book published, the only people that don't know are the ones trying to convince others their AO car is the real deal.

Kevin

[Kenneth B.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

I have heard that AO Smith bodied midyears did not have side pipes and I am wondering where that information is availble. Thanks Bill #20328

OK AO SMITH did not have the equipment to cut the notches in the frame birdcage to except the clips for the screws.
KEN

[Kevin M.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

They could not paint a 67 BB hood stinger either, so very few AO BB's in 67, in case you have one of those too.

Kevin

[Joe C.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

I have heard that AO Smith bodied midyears did not have side pipes and I am wondering where that information is availble. Thanks Bill #20328

Hi Bill,

There are a lot of clues to look for, which will determine whether or not a Corvette is "the real side-pipe deal", or not. Only 3 or 4 people still alive actually know what to look for. If a Corvette is counterfeited as a "real" side-pipe car, and all known traits are fastidiously cloned, a car can conceivably pass muster..........even at a National conference. Depends on whether or not any of those 3 or 4 people have looked at the car.
That last piece of the puzzle will never be revealed to mere mortals. Only one way to find out: present your St.Louis bodied Corvette to the judges "scrutiny". Smith bodied Corvettes need not apply.

That might sound like a veiled threat, but it's not.
Just a good piece of advice
I like to use that word. "Scrutiny".
It has a nice ring to it.
It is currently in vogue on all of the TV news channels, regarding proper vetting (now, there's another nice, popular word) of the Democratic presidential candidates.

There is a lot written on this subject if you do a Boolean Search of the archives using "side-pipes", "St.Louis", "AO Smith", "Smith".

You'll have to trust me, an "infrequent or new imposter", on this one.

Joe

[James R.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

Here is an article written by John Hinckley that discusses the AO Smith bodies. http://lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vette.../A.O.Smith.pdf

[Bill C.]

Re: AO Smith bodies with side exhaust

Thanks to all who replied, Another perk to a NCRS membership. Bill #20328