How do I find out original specs of my car?

[annamal]

Hi,
I purchased a 65 Vette convertible last fall. It has a 427 in it now. I think it came with a 396, but not sure. How do I find out what the came with originally? I want to know the colour of exterior and interior and the motor that was in it?
Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[67HEAVEN]

The interior and exterior color and seat material can be found on the trim tag just under the glovebox.....right beside the VIN tag.

As for the original drivetrain and other options, original documentation is your best (but usually difficult) route. Hints can be found concerning an original big block car, etc.

Welcome to the C2 section.

More responses will be here soon.

 

[61 Silver]

annamal,



The color of the exterior and interior will be identified by codes on the trim tag that is located on the steel member directly below the glove box door. If you post the codes others or myself will be able to assist you.



Many of the other options will be hard to determine. Build or tank sheets first appeared on the 1967, but not before. You will need to become a detective and look for evidence that will help in determining what engine you may have had. I have own only small blocks and have never researched what changes would occur when a big block 396CI was installed. You should purchase a good Corvette informational library, or hope that other 396CI owners can provide information.



Hope I have helped!



Ray

 

[BarryK]

there were a number of differences between the small block cars and the BB396 cars.
If it was originally a SB car that somebody dropped a BB into they sometimes don't alwys change a lot of the other stuff you you may be able to find clues one way or the other. If someone knew what they were doing it's possible they could have changed everything so it is a complete BB clone car in which case you may never know the real answer.

here is list of some things you might want to look for as clues to it being an original BB car, but it's not a complete list by any means:

6500 rpm tach
80 oil pressure gauge
check your VIN # - BB396's didn't start until approx VIN#13,000 which would be a build date somewhere around the middle or end of March '65.
BB cars had a 90* bend in the fuel line at the fuel pump
battery tray on left hand side of car (SB is on right hand except for A/C cars)
fan shroud is two sections
larger radiator core support with an arched top and 2 diagonal rods welded to the front
7/8" or 15/16" front stablizer bar (std SB was 3/4")
half shaft attaches to yoke assembly via a steel cap with bolts
9/16" rear stabilizer bar

there are lotas of others, but most involve pieces on the engine itself and since you already have a different motor in the car that becomes a moot point.

hope this helps a little

 

[annamal]

Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[magicv8]

These probably also apply to 65s
different code stamped on differential
BB throttle lever curves back from pivot toward rear of car, SB is straight
Riveted battery cable clip near pass. side of tunnel opening
Registration weight shows BB added, "add" weights:
a31 Pwindow +5
co7 Htop +49
c48 less Htr .-20
c60 a-c +93
j50 pBrake +12
L89 alHeads -73
m20 4spd -5
m35 pglide +1
n40 pStrg +21
u69 radio +21
l79 327/35 0 -8
l36 427/390 +215
l68 427/400 +151
l71 427/435 +149
The base car is a 327 with 3 speed.
Convertible curb weight 3160
Coupe curb weight 3140

 

[rohard]

Rear Stabilizer on BB

According to a restoration book I bought, on 65's only the big block's had the rear stabilizer. Is this correct? :confused

 

[JohnZ]

That's correct - only the '65-'74 BB cars had a rear stabilizer bar (and a larger-diameter front bar to balance it); the only exception was the '70-'72 ZR-1 small-blocks, but only 53 of those were built over the three years.

 

[Loren Smith]

One of these days, the General is going to find those missing St. Louis build sheets, and all hell will break lose.