65 coupe vin/trim tags

[Robert Maxwell]

I'm looking at a 65 396/425hp coupe (dark green ext.,saddle int.) and would like to get some feedback on whether the trim and vin tags make sense. The vin tag # is 194375S121577. The trim tag has the following: STYLE 19 437, BODY A-3765, TRIM 420A, PAINT G-G, and K23 at the top left. There is also 075 stamped in from the front at the center bottom of the tag. I have two questions. In one book I have it states the last body with a K build date should have vin # 121216. Is that correct? Also what is the meaning of the 075 stamp?. The engine pad # by the way is TOGI4IF 5121577. This would be my first Corvette purchase so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks for any info.

Max

[Al Grenning]

Re: 65 coupe vin/trim tag

Here is some information about 1965 coupe, 194375S121577. 21577 was built on Wednesday, July 7, 1965. 075 (July 65) is the month and year that the dealer received the Car. Dealers were told to stamp reception dates on trim tags. Unfortunately, most dealers never paid any attention to that home office directive. " A - 3765" means that the body was the the 3765th A .O. Smith coupe body built in 65. "A" literally means "alternate body source". K23 is the body build date not the "final assembly date". K23 (June 23) is an appropriate A.O. Smith BBD for the car, although EOP was coming up. The body for the car in question was built in Ionia, Michigan ahead of time. Then it was shipped by rail to Saint Louis and scheduled into production. Bottom line - it took about 10 days to 2 weeks for that to happen.

Information seems to be correct but without looking at the tag can't tell if it is an original. One further note, big block engines were built into A. O. Smith bodies in 1965 and 66 contrary to some thought. Check the assembly code on the engine pad the "G" is probably a "6". Good luck, sounds like a winner.