A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

[Tom D.]

At Garrett Classics in Dallas. Has no TI, no visible "Fangs" on "962 black" and A. O. Smith Body number. Should be Silver, now black.

T0607IF - 5120929 Block, not side ex., Leather, Was vinyl "STD", "stamped" numbers (no claim to be original numbers).

"K16" body date. Real 396 Car? Just wondering, should at least have transistor ignition.

[Patrick B.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Should at least have some remnants of the TI like screw holes in the passenger side of the radiator support for the box and possibly some wire clips for TI harness. Cars with the battery on the driver side (396's and AC cars) also have firewall clips for the battery cables that other cars lacked. Perhaps a 65 396 owner will respond with some pics of the wire clips.

If by "fangs" you mean the ribs on the front of the block between the timing chain cover and the intake manifold, the 1966 model year Chevelles used a 4 bolt 962 block with thin wall cylinders and no ribs but it was never used in 65 model year on anything. Check the casting date for 66 model year date or evidence of fudging. But the block is not being represented as original anyway.

[Tom D.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Here are some photos from the restoration of 116538, a 425 HP coupe with a racing history.

[Peter H.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

HEY TOM.. BY FANGS PERHAPS YOU ARE REFERING TO THE COBRA OPTION ? JUST A THOUGHT ...PETER ....

[Carl N.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

TI was mandatory for L78. I'll check my survey and post later. Sounds familiar, as similar car has been at several specialty lots in DFW the last few years.

[Jim D.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Here are some photos from the restoration of 116538, a 425 HP coupe with a racing history.

Those are very similar to mine that was built a couple days later. Mine has an additional clip riveted slightly inboard of the clip in your second pic., which is the only clip installed with a screw (mine has the same screw).

[Chris H.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Tom, another unique L78 unique part is the curved radiator shroud. Gussets being mandatory on an L78 562 block is not accurate based on an Al Grenning seminar I attended a few years ago. Attached is a pad photo very close to the motor assembly date of the car in question.

[Chris H.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Tom, also, I noticed that the car in question has a copper radiator, not the aluminum one that L78s have. So this car will not have the curved L78 radiator shroud. And the hood prop is on the driver's side. I seem to remember that L78s had their hood prop in the passenger side.

[Jim D.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

There are many things that are incorrect about that car.

[Wayne M.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Hey Tom-- can you give us a link ? I've tried Googling several variations of his business and come up empty on this particular car. I'd like to check the photos being discussed.

Thanks

[Jim D.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Hey Tom-- can you give us a link ? I've tried Googling several variations of his business and come up empty on this particular car. I'd like to check the photos being discussed.

Thanks

Here ya go Wayne. I had to do some searching to find it as well. It would be interesting to see if the VIN stamp on the frame matches the VIN tag. At least I know my L-78 65 convertible is real. http://www.garrettclassics.com/copy-of-template-4

[Carl N.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

This one was not on my list. Not the car in Dallas I was thinking of. Looking at block stamp close up there appears to me to be "ghosting stamp" below vin stamp, but who knows. Yes hood support is on wrong side, and there are a lot of other issues beside the radiator wrong under the hood. Oil pressure is way to high at idle. Shifter looks like it is out of C3. Wonder why someone stripped the "blackout" off the rocker moldings? Driver side vent pull has been relocated for aftermarket gage under dash. Is it real? Without inspection in person or strong documentation - who knows?

[Doug M.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Here are some photos from the restoration of 116538, a 425 HP coupe with a racing history.

Hey Tom, Regarding your firewall clips, St. Louis or A O Smith?

Thanks, Doug

[Tom D.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

Doug:

Pretty sure it is S2979 with "I30" date. I will check tonight.

[Stewart L.]

Re: A real 425 HP '65 Convertible or Not?

I have been working on my 396 firewall this winter and have been checking other 396's for the clip location. From my very informal survey, the rivet on clips seem to be consistent but the screw on clips along the top of the transmission tunnel to retain the battery to starter cable seem to rather random with regard to number and location. Mine has 3 screw on J clips. It is an AO Smith car.