1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

[Gary C.]

I thought 1965 AO Smith bodies didn't have side pipes fitted?

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1965-chevrolet-corvette-992163

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[Keith B.]

Re: 1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

a fake window sticker is not a good way to verify options nice looking car though

[Bill M.]

Re: 1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

Gary put the car on a lift remove the passenger side splash pan by the exhaust pipe look up towards the rocker panel you should see 1/2" or so notches cut in the cage. they will not be there. Also if a radio car check for threads in the exhaust ground strap are for an under car system. There should be no treads . They could be drilled out so also check the diameter of the hole. Also the splash pan should not have a rubber seal or staple holes .

[Mike T.]

Re: 1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

This is slightly off of Gary's question regarding AO Smith cars and side exhaust but a question about the 'notches' that Bill mentions. My St Louis built 65 L78 has been running side exhaust but I see notches in the rocker area but no brackets or bracket remnants. This car has been through a fair amount of owners and original engine/trans and long gone but curious why the notches are there but no sign of the brackets since it started out as an undercar exhaust setup. The splash pans do have the old staples in them so I know this car got converted to Side Pipes, just like my other Midyears but still curious about the lack of brackets.
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[Bill M.]

Re: 1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

Mike the notches are cut for a side pipe car. The brackets that hang from the frame are for under car exhausts. So you do have a side pipe car. Or body any way?? Just kidding.

[Mike T.]

Re: 1965 AO Smith L78 with Side Pipes

Bill - thanks for the input. This was the first midyear I ever saw those notches in and no sign of the brackets and at first I thought it just might be one of the 759 made in 65 with factory side pipes but then saw the staples on the splash pans but who knows what's been swapped on this car over the years. Don't know if N14 was available from the beginning of the 65 model year run but my roadster has a VIN in the low 17K range.