Build date vs Final assembly date

[Georges C.]

It seems the more I look and read, I've accumulated about 20 books since starting this restoration in July, the more confused I get. There is a inquiry on the NCRS St. Louis Chapter site for Corvette Vin and Tag decoding. When I input my 194676S112419 VIN it says Body build Jan 21, Final assembly Jan 31, 1966.
Am I correct in assuming (hate that assume bit) that because it is a n AO Smith body, that it was built by Smith in Michigan then shipped to St. Louis, hence the 10 day lag? I see from my Protect-O-Plate that the 427 engine was built on Jan 10, rear axle on Jan 21. Based on all the shippping necessary to assemble parts from Michigan and New York does this all appear appropriate. Just to confirm, I went to high school with both previous owners and have owned the car since Oct 14, 1976. It was not until now that I am taking the car back to original interior and correct numbers engine that I have actually looked at the POP.

[John H.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

It seems the more I look and read, I've accumulated about 20 books since starting this restoration in July, the more confused I get. There is a inquiry on the NCRS St. Louis Chapter site for Corvette Vin and Tag decoding. When I input my 194676S112419 VIN it says Body build Jan 21, Final assembly Jan 31, 1966.
Am I correct in assuming (hate that assume bit) that because it is a n AO Smith body, that it was built by Smith in Michigan then shipped to St. Louis, hence the 10 day lag? I see from my Protect-O-Plate that the 427 engine was built on Jan 10, rear axle on Jan 21. Based on all the shippping necessary to assemble parts from Michigan and New York does this all appear appropriate. Just to confirm, I went to high school with both previous owners and have owned the car since Oct 14, 1976. It was not until now that I am taking the car back to original interior and correct numbers engine that I have actually looked at the POP.

Georges -

Yes, that's a very typical timeline for an A.O. Smith-bodied Corvette; 7-10 days between A.O. Smith and St. Louis was quite common.

The link below will take you to an article that explains the A.O. Smith body production process:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_info/misc/A.O.Smith.pdf

[Stephen L.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

John Hinckley, great article that you wrote about the A.O. Smith body building. Enjoyed it.

[Richard M.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

John, Wow I can't believe I've never seen that one. What a great article! Thanks for sharing it.

I'm a bit confused about Georges' car. He has the POP, it's a AO Smith body, but it's a 427? Is it possible that his is one of the "very few" AOS BB cars built after initial production there? Is it possible that AOS painted the entire car including the hood, then ST Louis did the masking for the stinger contrasting color? I'd imagine the only way AOS would have the stinger hood is if St Loius shipped it to them, as AOS didn't have fixturing for the stinger hood, correct?

One other question about the front cover of the mag.......What was Mr Big.......a big brake big tank fuelie? I think I see FI emblems on the right fender. The ladies(owners?) didn't look too happy.

Rich

[Mike M.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

rich: george's vin # indicates it being a 66 vet(no stinger).mike

[Richard M.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

Ah....need more coffee this early. Thanks Mike.

[James B.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

John, great article & I appreciate seeing it. A question, however, one picture/description talks about larger head rivets used at the front upper corner of the door inner panel. Is this area visible with the door panel on? The picture is a close up and I can't visualize where the location is. Do you have a picture showing a wider perspective.
I have a late A O Smith 64. One previous owner said it had one 63 door on the drivers side (too late for the period when some 63 door still being used); another owner said no, both doors always 64??
it would just be fun to check my door to see if A O Smith. Jim B

[Joe R.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

Steve,

There are lots of great articles in the tech area of that site. It's here:

http://lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech.html

Joe

[Michael J.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

Georges -


The link below will take you to an article that explains the A.O. Smith body production process:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_.../A.O.Smith.pdf

That is a neat article, but very interesting how they totally leave out AO Smith's Ionia factory's role in the Shelby Mustangs from the MY '68 to '70. They were very busy during those years too.

http://dearbornflashback.com/aosmith.asp

[John H.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

One other question about the front cover of the mag.......What was Mr Big.......a big brake big tank fuelie? I think I see FI emblems on the right fender. The ladies(owners?) didn't look too happy.

Rich

Rich -

"Mr. Big" was a big-brake '58 fuelie restored at Paragon (their own car, not a customer car); the ladies are Steve and Dave's wives, and they aren't happy because the harmonic balancer just exited under the car as it was fired to drive up the ramp, and the car had to be pushed across the block, which didn't help the bidding any. Paragon now uses balancer bolts on everything, whether they were there originally or not.

[Richard M.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

Rich -

"Mr. Big" was a big-brake '58 fuelie restored at Paragon (their own car, not a customer car); the ladies are Steve and Dave's wives, and they aren't happy because the harmonic balancer just exited under the car as it was fired to drive up the ramp, and the car had to be pushed across the block, which didn't help the bidding any. Paragon now uses balancer bolts on everything, whether they were there originally or not.

Hmmm, it's all clear now. Bummer it happened on the block.

It happened to me back in '87 on my '59 270hp. Doing about 60 on the highway though. I heard a big bang and then saw this orange and black round thing in my rear view mirror and then passed me in the left lane. Found it in the median in the tall grass about a 1/2 hour later. Flatbed got me home. Later had the crank drilled and tapped for the bolt during a engine rebuild.

[Georges C.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

1966 had bubble hood - no contrasting pain.

[Georges C.]

Re: Build date vs Final assembly date

John,
Thanks for the info. It was an interesting read.
Georges