More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

[Rick R.]

I feel pretty sure that my 66 coupe came from the factory with side exhaust due to the following:

1) No evidence of it ever having any rocker molding brackets.
2) Notches are there for side exhaust hardware and appear correct.
3) half moon cutout at rear of rockers appears as correct.
4) outer splash shields have no weather stripping or holes for staples.
5) rear valance looks original.

My first question is in regards to references I have seen to notches or cutouts that were supposedly made in the FRONT fenders for side exhaust where the pipes turn in under the rocker/frame towards the engine. I don't see any evidence on my car that anything was ever cut on the fenders. I DO see a MOLDED "notched out" area on the fenders between the two 5/16" bolts that secure the splash shield. The fenders were molded this way. It does appear that the top side of the covers themselves may have been trimmed at the same location, but I am not sure.
The second question/issue is about the piece of fender that is sticking down below the side exhaust trim piece. This is the piece of fiberglass at the front most part of the trim piece that is sticking down below it and has an extra screw hole in it - forward of the side exhaust covers. Is that piece correct, or was IT supposed to be sawed off? I have done due diligence searching the forum on this, but admit I have not yet obtained the manuals. Your expert input appreciated.

Rick.

[John C.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick

The molded fiberglass section where the pipes turn in is correct. They cut off the tab that is in front of that. On my 67 with documented factory installed side pipes, one side is cut off even with the molded in area, on the other side it sticks down about 1/4 inch. Neither side shows evidence of the holes you have in the tab.

John

[Rick R.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick

The molded fiberglass section where the pipes turn in is correct. They cut off the tab that is in front of that. On my 67 with documented factory installed side pipes, one side is cut off even with the molded in area, on the other side it sticks down about 1/4 inch. Neither side shows evidence of the holes you have in the tab.

John

Were the "tabs" the only thing that was "cut on" by the factory? Did I misinterpret something I read about "notches" being cut in this area? Thanks, Rick.

[Keith B.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

You missed a major factor. Where was the body assembled at

[Rick R.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

You missed a major factor. Where was the body assembled at

Hi Keith. Well, I didn't miss it, but neither did I list everything. St. Louis. Appreciate you posting.

Rick.

[John C.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick

Looking at the 67 judging guide the tab is the only thing they list being cut on the front 1/4 panel. Attached is a picture of the cut on my car.

cut.jpg

John

[Rick R.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick

Looking at the 67 judging guide the tab is the only thing they list being cut on the front 1/4 panel. Attached is a picture of the cut on my car.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]59420[/ATTACH]

John

John, Thanks very much for the time/effort you spent on this. Great info. Wow, looks like they weren't too particular about how they cut the tabs off, huh? - looks about as good/better left alone. Thanks again,

Rick.

[Wayne W.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

It may very well be a side pipe car because of the things you list, but the front fenders are not typical of the factory treatment. Could be that it has had new fenders installed.

This is typical. Known original.

[Bill M.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

If you have a radio check for threads in the holes near the transmission and the bracket that would have held up the under car exhaust. The ground straps would have been installed and grounded to those holes. there should be no threads there. I forget the size of the hole but the threads could have been drilled out to disguise the system.

[Harry S.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

I can't recall when it started, either late 66 or at the start of 67 but a spacer was added between the transmission mount and the transmission. The spacer was the same thickness as the bracket that held the exhaust pipes for a non-side pipe car. Check for the spacer.

[Gene M.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick,
Photo 2 & 4 show the holes from mounting of standard rocker moldings indicating under car exhaust.

Transmission spacer plate did not occur till '69.

[Rick R.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Thanks to all who have posted. Very interesting and informative. My car definitely has the correct notches, rear half moon cutout, and no evidence of ever having any rocker panel molding brackets installed or subsequently cut off. The only thing inconsistent was the fiberglass tabs on the front fenders. I went ahead and cut them off.
I agree with Wayne, most likely the fenders have been replaced. I know for sure that the front lower valance beneath the grill has been replaced and that there was a repair to the left front corner. Both were well done, but still detectable on close inspection. The fenders are more difficult for me to tell what is what. ( and I have owned some other C2's where it was painfully obvious) All bonding strips are intact, and all panels are the correct gray/white press molded color. There is not fiberglass/resin/bonding adhesive gobbed everywhere as is often seen. Everything neat and tidy. I wish I could compare it to a documented no hit car sometime. My take is that the bottom line (especially considering the KNOWN repairs) is that the fenders, and perhaps the entire front clip have been replaced, but whomever did it did a good job.

[Rick A.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Rick,
Photo 2 & 4 show the holes from mounting of standard rocker moldings indicating under car exhaust.

Transmission spacer plate did not occur till '69.

Agree with Gene - car was ORIGINALLY under-car exhaust car - NOT a side-pipe car. Also, agree with spacer plate did not occur until 1969.

[Rick R.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

Another tidbit is that there were small remnants of some rod type muffler hangers crudely welded to the bottom of the gas tank support cross member - not factory for sure. I ground those off. Here is the scenario that I choose to believe: 😄. The cutouts and absence of molding brackets show it was factory side exhaust car. It has had the fenders replaced. Somebody got sick of the noise at some point and installed exhaust underneath. They rube goldberged the hangers and stuck rocker moldings on using the available screw holes and no hanger brackets. The next guy comes along and he wants side exhaust. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, LOL.
Realize that my car is just a driver and that's all it will ever be. Whether it did or did not come factory with side exhaust is of little consequence to me in and of itself. What truly fascinates me is the detective work - figuring out what was done to the car over 50 years. I appreciate everyones input- this has been a ton of fun.

Rick.

[Gary B.]

Re: More C2 Side Exhaust Questions

...Transmission spacer plate did not occur till '69.

Gene,

So for '65 thru '68 cars with side exhaust was there no flat spacer plate under the tranny? Was the double curved plate for underbody exhaust car used instead?

Gary