Survey - Very Late 1966 St. Louis Cars - Hood Weatherstrip
Attention owners of very late 1966 Corvettes with original hood weatherstriping.....
Most times I get my '66 judged (VIN 24431, Build Date June 17, 1966, St. Louis Body Number S7819), I get a minor deduction for the hood weatherstrip extending too far down (6" instead of 3" as specified in the TIM&JG).
I purchased this car from the original owner, it was unhit, with it's original hood, and highly original including the entire drivetrain. I've got photos of every square inch of the car before I restored it but cannot find my hood pictures!
When I restored the hood weatherstrip, I restored it exactly the way it was originally....6" below the hood ledge with the push pin in a factory hole in the hood. My research in the TDB archives indicates that this is the configuration used in 1967 St. Louis Corvettes (push pins used with a factory hole at the 6" point on St. Louis cars, AO Smith cars did not have the hole or use the push pin, just glue).
I'm reluctant to trim the weatherstrip shorter, fill in what I believe to be a factory hole, and change the configuration if original.
A couple years ago, we conducted a similar survey on the attachment clips used on the front crossover brake line of late 1966 Corvettes. We discovered a change in attachment clips to the 1967 style between VINs 20541 (4/29/1966) and 20752 (5/2/1966). The TIM&JG has been updated to reflect this research. I believe the same could be true with the hood weatherstrip.
So....if you own a late 1966 Corvette (especially after VIN 20500) and are certain of the originality of your hood weatherstrip, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Please reply to Tim Ehlers at tim.ehlers@att.net:
1. The VIN and body number of your car.
2. How far does your weatherstrip extend down the side of the hood?
3. If you have a St. Louis car, is your weatherstrip retained with the push pin?
Thanks. I'll post any conclusive results!
Tim
Most times I get my '66 judged (VIN 24431, Build Date June 17, 1966, St. Louis Body Number S7819), I get a minor deduction for the hood weatherstrip extending too far down (6" instead of 3" as specified in the TIM&JG).
I purchased this car from the original owner, it was unhit, with it's original hood, and highly original including the entire drivetrain. I've got photos of every square inch of the car before I restored it but cannot find my hood pictures!
When I restored the hood weatherstrip, I restored it exactly the way it was originally....6" below the hood ledge with the push pin in a factory hole in the hood. My research in the TDB archives indicates that this is the configuration used in 1967 St. Louis Corvettes (push pins used with a factory hole at the 6" point on St. Louis cars, AO Smith cars did not have the hole or use the push pin, just glue).
I'm reluctant to trim the weatherstrip shorter, fill in what I believe to be a factory hole, and change the configuration if original.
A couple years ago, we conducted a similar survey on the attachment clips used on the front crossover brake line of late 1966 Corvettes. We discovered a change in attachment clips to the 1967 style between VINs 20541 (4/29/1966) and 20752 (5/2/1966). The TIM&JG has been updated to reflect this research. I believe the same could be true with the hood weatherstrip.
So....if you own a late 1966 Corvette (especially after VIN 20500) and are certain of the originality of your hood weatherstrip, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Please reply to Tim Ehlers at tim.ehlers@att.net:
1. The VIN and body number of your car.
2. How far does your weatherstrip extend down the side of the hood?
3. If you have a St. Louis car, is your weatherstrip retained with the push pin?
Thanks. I'll post any conclusive results!
Tim