AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

[Ray C.]

When was the AO Smith body first used? (year and month)
Are there any significant differences between the AO Smith and St. Louis bodies?
Was the make up of the body panels the same in materials and color?

Thanks for any information!
Ray #36314

[John H.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

Ray -

A.O. Smith started supplying bodies in mid-January, 1964. The same fiberglass panels were supplied to both plants. About the only visible difference on the original bodies is the paint treatment on the riveted-on underbody brackets and reinforcments and the radiator support; they were dip-primed black on St. Louis bodies, and were green zinc chromate on A.O. Smith bodies. A.O. Smith didn't have a black dip-prime system, and painted those parts in their birdcage paint system; required some extra effort in the underhood blackout operation at A.O. Smith to cover the green zinc chromate paint on the radiator support.

[Barbara S.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

Ray. There are other differences as well. I can't give you an exhaustive list--not even for 67's which is what I own. St. Louis bodies installed the female hood latches before the black out process. A. O. Smith installed the female hood latches after the black out process. St. Louis installed little black rivets at the opposing ends of the hood weatherstrip. A. O. Smith did not use those rivets. Most notably for '67, only St. Louis produced big block bodies. A. O. Smith did not.

I'd like to hear other differences.
Tony

[Ray C.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

Thanks John and Tony
The reason for my post:

We had a chapter judging school at my home a few weeks past. My 63 SWC and 61 was used as subject cars. One of the comments about the coupe was the right fender seemed to have a different line than the left and it was believed that one was an AO Smith and the other was a Saint Louis. When restoring the body, it seemed that all panels were original with the original bonding strips. I did have to repair the wheel well lip on the right front and the left rear, but these were minor repairs. If owners of the 63 could inspect their right and left fenders from the front and post if they view any differences, it would be appreciated.

Ray #36314

[Mike M.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

other ao smith vs st louis body differences: dimple vs no dimple for PW conduit locator, flat head vs pop rivits for door skin to door frame. probably others i'm not aware of. mike

[Jim W.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

I've owned a few midyears with only one having an A.O. Smith body. It was an untouched late '67 coupe. I always thought the top of its fender panels weren't as sharp as the St. Louis bodied cars I owned before and since. Maybe it was my imagination but it made an impression on me. Jim Weeks - Member #2978

[Kevin M.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

Ray,

1963 is a whole different story. They were only made in Saint Louis, early panels were less than evenly made. The difference is original unless you uncover a repair. Don't know how the thought of mixed panels was even discussed at a NCRS judging class.

Kevin

[Bill S.]

Re: AO Smith bodies 66 BB?

did AO smith make BB bodies in 66 and is there a difference between BB and SB bodies besides the hood? when did the hoods get put on? bill

[Rob Dame]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

Yup and the hoods sat high .......on just one side or both ??????

[Bill S.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

high in the middle? i also notice my deck is hagh in the middle but seems fitted right.

[Jim R.]

Re: AO Smith bodies Vs. St Louis

I have read that from 65-67 the ao smith bodies quality wise ,were as good or better.

[Gerard F.]

67 AO Smith Body-late

Nearly 40 years old, no frame off, just a paint touch up in 1973 after a right fender minor hit. Lots of dings and scrapes but still looks good from 30' away.

Close up, the original primer is showing through, but that's my last project and I may never get to it.

But having fun on all the little stuff.

See you guys in Las Vegas in April.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Wayne W.]

Re: AO Smith bodies 66 BB?

In answer to Bills question, Yes. AOS did build BB bodies in 66. The general method of construction was the same as St. Louis, but it would have had the typical AOS differences. The hood was installed when the body was built as normal like at St.Louis.

[Jim R.]

Re: 67 AO Smith Body-late

Nice car jerry! jim