Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

[James W.]

I've noticed on two original paint 1965 AOS Built cars that there is a mark at the top (back) of the inner hood that appears to be from when the car was painted by AOS. I've attached some pictures of two original cars with VIN's of 169xx and 172xx, both are AOS built bodies. Has anyone else noticed these on unrestored/original AOS or St. Louis built cars?

Thanks,

James

[Jim D.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

1965 #14790 AOS car has the mark. My #16786 SL car doesn't.
2009_08270034.jpg

[James W.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Jim,

Thanks for the picture. In the new '65 TIMJG I don't remember seeing anything about it, but it may not be vetted by the manual team.

James

[Terry M.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Jim,

Thanks for the picture. In the new '65 TIMJG I don't remember seeing anything about it, but it may not be vetted by the manual team.

James

Jim

There has got to be a reason behind that mark. Perhaps evidence of whatever held the hood up during the blackout operation. Just a SWAG on my part though because, as #14 will tell you, I know nothing about C2s.

[James W.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Terry,

That's exactly what I was thinking it is.

James

Jim

There has got to be a reason behind that mark. Perhaps evidence of whatever held the hood up during the blackout operation. Just a SWAG on my part though because, as #14 will tell you, I know nothing about C2s.

[E S.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Hi- not a 65, but 66 vin# 3795-A0635 body. (car is unrestored and very original)
E.J.IMG_20221024_171923928.jpgIMG_20221024_172314107.jpg

[Dennis C.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

James , My 65 AOS body built the last week in December has that mark on the inner hood.

[Tony S.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Nice observation, James. I'm the manual coordinator for the 1965 TIM JG. I'll add this to our notes. Good stuff! Thanks for sharing! Tony

[Michael O.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

My survivor 1964 convertible has it, I have never seen it mentioned until now.

[Larry G.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

I have no documented proof but as the hood support was installed on the Trim Line, the spot was likely where a hood temporary prop, broom stick, was used to hold the hood open for painting the under hood area. Another interesting point as seen in these photos is that DowSmith installed the hood latch or "dog pecker" as the assembly plant called it, after hood black out. St. Louis installed the latch before black out and covered it with a juice can (a actual used can like tomato paste is packaged in) that had a magnet to hold it in place during painting. Thus the overspray on St. Louis jobs latch spring and retainer.

Corvette bodies from DowSmith in Ionia were not referenced as AOS bodies. During the entire run, the DowSmith bodies were all called DowSmith bodies. The A on the Trim Plate originated, I believe, when the contract was negotiated to build bodies in Ionia A.O. Smith was the only owner of the business. When the contract was awarded or shortly after, Dow Chemical bought a share of the business and thus the DowSmith name.

Many of these kind, not all, of these type of questions are discussed in my books.

[Mark F.]

UPC 0 B2 states the "A" on the Trim Plate stands for "Outside Purchased Body"

...Corvette bodies from DowSmith in Ionia were not referenced as AOS bodies. During the entire run, the DowSmith bodies were all called DowSmith bodies. The A on the Trim Plate originated, I believe, when the contract was negotiated to build bodies in Ionia A.O. Smith was the only owner of the business. When the contract was awarded or shortly after, Dow Chemical bought a share of the business and thus the DowSmith name. Many of these kind, not all, of these type of questions are discussed in my books.

Hi Larry,

Hope you're doing well !

According to the 1967 AIM version I have, UPC 0 B2 states the "A" on the Trim Plate stands for "Outside Purchased Body"
and "S" for St. Louis Built Body
'67 UPC 0 B2 'A' for Outside Purchased Body_001.jpg

[Larry G.]

Re: UPC 0 B2 states the "A" on the Trim Plate stands for "Outside Purchased Body"

Hi Larry,

Hope you're doing well !

According to the 1967 AIM version I have, UPC 0 B2 states the "A" on the Trim Plate stands for "Outside Purchased Body"
and "S" for St. Louis Built Body
[ATTACH=CONFIG]117041[/ATTACH]

I do not have a copy of the 1967 AIM. I have a 1963 AIM with most pages dated in 1962. The AIM is issued by the Graphic Department based on engineering documents and data so their "Outside Purchased Body" statement is more general.

The "Outside Purchased Body" statement is correct. However, that verbiage was not used in the assembly process or when I visited the DowSmith plant in Ionia in the 60's. We called them a "Dow Smith Body" or a "Ionia Body". We all knew that the S was St. Louis and the A was DowSmith or Ionia.

Thank you for the reply and good wishes.

All the best to you Mark.

Larry

[Mark F.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

I've noticed on two original paint 1965 AOS Built cars that there is a mark at the top (back) of the inner hood that appears to be from when the car was painted by AOS. I've attached some pictures of two original cars with VIN's of 169xx and 172xx, both are AOS built bodies. Has anyone else noticed these on unrestored/original AOS or St. Louis built cars? Thanks, James

hood undersidea large cardboard spray mask was used for the hood underside application

[Larry G.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

I have never met John Hinckley. I have searched my files and not found any reference to John and I am about 99% certain that he was never in the St. Louis or Ionia assembly plants. I spoke to hime one time by telephone and when I asked him a pointed question about a specific NCRS question he was evasive.

Engine compartment and under hood black paint was applied with a mechanical hood covering of adjacent color body surfaces as well as on top of the hood. I do not recall the masking material but doubt that it was cardboard as cardboard would become paint soaked quickly and transfer to the color surfaces as reused many times. I believe the masking was paper and tape.

The black out paint was applied just after final color bake and before moving to the Trim Line. I do not recall a "Black-Out Spray Booth". When the body exited the final paint bake oven, it was very hot and the route to the Trim Line was short. I believe the area where the black out paint was applied was over a down draft grated floor with no booth.

[James W.]

Re: Original 1965 AOS Built Hood Prop Mark

Mark,

I'll check my document files of unrestored St. Louis built bodied cars and see if I have any pictures of that mark on the hood.

James

hood undersidea large cardboard spray mask was used for the hood underside application