65 396 BUILD DATE

[Ken A.]

I finally got around to purchasing Nolan Adams books as well as the Corvette Birthday Book by Dennis Moore. Using these two sources, I have determined that my car was built on March 5,1965, which appears to be the 3rd or 4th day of 396 production. I know Nolan's book is very good, but it is 25 years old. My question is, has any new information appeared that may change this? Also, has any information surfaced regarding engines and VIN #'s, ie which VIN's were 396 cars? I just curious with my car being so early, how many came before it?
Thanks, Ken

[Clem Z.]

Re: 65 396 BUILD DATE

i picked my new 396 at st louis on 4-16-65 and the shipper date was 3-31-65 on the paper work i still have. VIN 114271

[Ken A.]

Re: 65 396 BUILD DATE

According to the Birthday book, your car was built on March 3. How accurate is this book? Mine is VIN 116088.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 65 396 BUILD DATE

the car shipper date on the car shippers paper is 3-31-65 so i would guess mine was built on that day. i was told by the plant manager that my car was the first "customer" car built. there were 6 cars before mine that went to GM for racers.

[Jack H.]

But...

GM production records indicate the last car built in March of '65 was 113936! So, how did a 14000 series VIN get built in early March with shipper papers indicating it left the plant on March 31st? That 14K VIN number would place the car reasonably close to the one Ken Burroughs restored and wrote the book on that started this crazy hobby and that's acknowledged to be an April build car.

My L78 is VIN 15778 and it was built in mid-late April and I don't really consider it to be a very early build 396. I think of 'early' 396 cars as those with straight neck radiators....

[Michael H.]

Re: But...

Jack,

I agree, something isn't exactly right but I have to suspect that the date on Clems paperwork may have been an "expected date of production" and not the actual date?? It was common for this date to be off by a week. I'm sure he'll clairfy that for us shortly.

Clems car was exactly 700 units ahead of the 14,971 car in the (David) Burroughs book "Corvette Restoration, State of the Art" and I know that car was built in (early?) April. (I remember because that was my car) I'll dig out the build date. I know it's here somewhere.

By the way, David didn't start all this hi-tech detail restoration, he just gathered info and put it into print.

Michael

[Clem Z.]

anybody want to see the paperwork

email me and i will scan it to you and if you want to put it on the site OK with me. i picked the car up april 14 1965 at st louis

[Patrick H.]

Re: anybody want to see the paperwork

Clem,

E-mail it over.
I'll send you my address.

Patrick

[Brian M.]

Re: anybody want to see the paperwork

Oh yeah.... What time was it & was Mrs. Clem with you?

[Michael H.]

Re: anybody want to see the paperwork

Clem,

I have a copy and can post it for you, if you'd like.

[Clem Z.]

Re: anybody want to see the paperwork

yes she was and there was another couple that picked up a 396 vert at the same time. we flew out together and the other guy never flew before and got a green as grass but did not puke. flying back then was a "experience",no jetways or meals just lots of noise from the props.

[Clem Z.]

please do *NM*

[Michael H.]

Clems 396 *NM*

[Patrick H.]

Re: anybody want to see the paperwork *NM*

[Brian M.]

Re: Clems 396

That's a nice piece of paperwork. Now do you have a picture of you and Mrs. Clem in that car?