'65 Front Grille Question

[Roger P.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

We had great weather in South Florida today, so I did a little cruising and shot a few photos of the inner fenders from the engine side. From Wayne's explanation, it appears that I have a service replacement on the passenger side and the original on the driver side. Assuming that the previous owners that I spoke with were being honest, I can only assume that the original owner had a little fender bender. Do these 3 photos from the passenger side tell you anything more or less?

Roger (50141)

[Roger P.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Here are 3 photos from the driver side.

Roger (50141)

[Wayne W.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

The LH inner-fender is consistant with an original. It is difficult to tell for sure because 63-64 will look the same in the area shown. The RH side is definitely a later replacement.

[Stacy C.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

To me Roger's passenger inner fender looks just like the one in the pic you posted, mine doesn't look quite like it.

[Stacy C.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

What do I have?

[Wayne W.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Its a replaced 66-67 style with some kind of repair on the rear corner. You can tell it is not factory from the lack of staple holes for the seals and flaps.

[John M.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Roger,
Back to the relief. If you look in Waynes pictures of the inner fenders, right above where the 64 is superimposed on the photo you'll see the relief. The 65 next to it does not have it.
Nice car (I have one just like it! )
John

[Wayne W.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Also it looks basically un-installed. The rear does not seem to be bonded, at least not correctly. The lower tab is out and overlapping the side fender. The upper lip on the hood ledge is not bonded at all.

[Roger P.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Thanks for all the information guys. It appears that my car was hit in the front and was repaired with a new passenger inner fender, both parking light panels, and new bumpers. Other than removing the holes in the parking light panels, I think the body shop did a good job making the repair. I'm not an expert, but I certainly didn't detect anything other than the 63-64 mounting holes next to the grille. Of course, I now know what a service replacement inner fender looks like . John, please post a photo of your red '65... I'm sure it's a sweet ride, too! After a little more work, Stacy's car can join our Little Red Corvette Club .

[John M.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Roger,
Still in the works. Here are a few shots. All the chrome, bumpers, doorhandles, emblems, etc are on it now. Engine compartment next.
having fun.
John

[Roger P.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

John,
Your car is looking very good! I didn't go through the full restoration process since I purchased my car as a very nice driver. However, I enjoy working on small projects - one at a time - and as we know, there is plenty to do on these cars. If your shiny new Rally Red paint wasn't enough, the pristine fuelie under the hood really looks terrific... keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the finished product... and Stacy's car, too.

[Stacy C.]

Re: '65 Front Grille Question

Its a replaced 66-67 style with some kind of repair on the rear corner. You can tell it is not factory from the lack of staple holes for the seals and flaps.

I had a large crack on the curve, first attempt at repairing fiberglass and no it's not bonded yet.

I thought it may be a different year than 66-67 because to me it looks different than Roger's.

Roger, I wish my car's repair was as good as yours is!

John's project is coming along Great! Wow! I've got a loooong way to go