1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

David, Thanks.

What you've explained, although disappointing, makes it much more clear. Do you know if 1957 to 1962 Bill of Materials are known to exist? At least the part that shows what the ECL's represent?

Cecil, You're right, or Stonehenge..... I also remember John Hinckley talking about the "Instruction" sets for the builds, and locations of those are a mystery.

Did you ever contact the Heritage Center folks directly and ask for RPO info. I'm thinking that might be a start. I also got word from a few other folks that I might want to contact some other folks for info, which I will do.

Rich

[Todd H.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Jim, As you know, Fred Sutherland's #5880 was another FI 684 car, like #5055. And #6338 evidently was on it's way to being a 579D (E) before the airbox (and FI?) was removed at the factory as per Art Saylor's wishes. So that makes three. Anyone know about two others?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Todd, I may be on the trail of one that could be 1 of the 5, in Paragraph 5. Still investigating. It has factory equipped RPO 684, not added on. This I believe because of the details of the rocker ducting. It's in the 58xx range. I saw its frame vin as well and it has a real '57 4 speed transmission. I'm relatively new at 1957 RPO 684 mystique but I'm trying to learn fast.

Rich

[Todd H.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Rich, just an fyi, that rocker ducting isn't as easy as cutting a hole in the front and back of the rocker. Someone tried to open the rockers on my #2968 579C racer when it was new, and after cutting holes in the front and back they found that there is a fiberglass panel inside the rocker that restricts airflow unless it's removed. They then tried to remove the panel, but found that was a little too involved. They tried a few other ideas before giving up on the rear brake ducting.

Building big brake '57s was even more involved than it appears.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Rich, just an fyi, that rocker ducting isn't as easy as cutting a hole in the front and back of the rocker. Someone tried to open the rockers on my #2968 579C racer when it was new, and after cutting holes in the front and back they found that there is a fiberglass panel inside the rocker that restricts airflow unless it's removed. They then tried to remove the panel, but found that was a little too involved. They tried a few other ideas before giving up on the rear brake ducting.

Building big brake '57s was even more involved than it appears.

Todd, I am open to learning. Jim knows me well too. He and I spoke the other day to catch up.

Regarding the rockers. What I observed on the 58xx car is that the rockers on both sides are wide open with no blockage. Also, what I believe is RPO 684 specific, is that there are no 3725591 horizontal reinforcements (AIM Sec A Sheet 2) and no signs of factory rivets normally installed for those reinforcements for the non 684 cars. These appeared later in 1957 production when they added underdash cowl, door and hinge pillar reinforcements using aluminum. IIRC that started late summer 1957. AIM revised the underbody instruction mid July. I would imagine at body construction, the instruction for 684 had them leave out or cut some of these pieces, but only speculating.

Rich

[Todd H.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Richard, I re-read your other posts to try to find this info, but I seem to have missed it. Was 58xx a 684 or 579D car? If not, I wonder if the panel was discontinued on late '57s because of the addition of 684 and 579D.

My friend Howard Goering of Mesa, AZ told me he has seen the panel on '57s he has done body work on over the years.

[James G.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Jim, As you know, Fred Sutherland's #5880 was another FI 684 car, like #5055. And #6338 evidently was on it's way to being a 579D (E) before the airbox (and FI?) was removed at the factory as per Art Saylor's wishes. So that makes three. Anyone know about two others?

VIN#53xx is a black / black 684 NO AIR BOX. Ivan Bailey owned 1962-87. Sold by Mike Philsbury to east cost collectors. Now owned by Rick Hendrick. VIN#39xx owned by Bob Engle. He traded his new 69 green L76 Air conditioned convertible for the car in Indo, California on a 122 degree day back in 1973. I have others, but they need to be inspected to verify.

Thank you DAVID. I recently heard of more 1957 history that I may acquire. I have a feeling it is the same as your info. I have all the 1956 paperwork. Just need the 57.

[Cecil L.]

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Richard, I re-read your other posts to try to find this info, but I seem to have missed it. Was 58xx a 684 or 579D car? If not, I wonder if the panel was discontinued on late '57s because of the addition of 684 and 579D.

My friend Howard Goering of Mesa, AZ told me he has seen the panel on '57s he has done body work on over the years.

Todd, You didn't find the info, as the last post was the first time I spoke about what I've been told, and observed on the car.

58xx appears to be a true 684 car but it's original engine is long gone. I would think that the panel would be on all cars except 684, as only 48 684 were built.

I'm may visit the car late today if time permits so I'll try to get some closer looks.

Rich

[Todd H.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Sounds like so far we have six pretty solid 684 '57s, if Richard's #58xx turns out to be one. Plus Jim's non-verified others. Maybe the 48 built figure is inaccurate.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

I think the article John wrote was titled "Alphabet Soup" and appeared in Corvette Enthusiast around May of 2009…..I don't have the exact date but I saved a copy on my laptop. It explained the process quite well but seemed to imply that it started in 63 but apparently the system was in place long before that and before computers.
I haven't approached the Heritage Center as I'm not sure they even know what they might have. I think the best way is to see if they will let someone look through their holdings.

Here it is if anyone wants it....Too big to attach here...

(I miss Johns's live-stream insightful info. I'm depressed about his health issue)

I'd hope GM Heritage has a warehouse full of old documentation. If so, parsing through it would remind me of the warehouse at the end of the "Raiders of the Lost Ark" Indiana Jones movie.

Sounds like so far we have six pretty solid 684 '57s, if Richard's #58xx turns out to be one. Plus Jim's non-verified others. Maybe the 48 built figure is inaccurate.

Todd, I only wish it could be mine.

I did stop by and take a look but primarily to see if there was evidence of RPO 565, and because the fan shroud was there and covering the crossmember, not even a peek at that area. The car may be restored some day and if so then and only then would anyone know.

Maybe John Amgwert and Noland Adams had some "other" data which showed more that the reported 48 RPO 684 cars that left St Louis. Maybe.

Rich
(Forever in search mode of Single Letter RPO ECL's)

[David B.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Sounds like so far we have six pretty solid 684 '57s, if Richard's #58xx turns out to be one. Plus Jim's non-verified others. Maybe the 48 built figure is inaccurate.

If you believe GM production records 48 RPO 684 cars were built! If you want to believe in the tooth fairy 100+ were built.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

If you believe GM production records 48 RPO 684 cars were built! If you want to believe in the tooth fairy 100+ were built.

RaRo......Street fight comin'.

Just Kiddin'.....I tend to weigh on the RPO Data side. I suppose it'd be pretty hard to prove otherwise.

Rich

[Todd H.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Not interested in a street fight. And I'm really tight with the tooth fairy.

Realizing you didn't start a thread about 684, Rich, I think it's possible there's a mix-up somewhere. #6338 might have been counted as a 579D, since that how the body was evidently built before the airbox was removed at the factory. It seems really odd to me that if there were only 5 cars that all are known today.

And I trust GM data about production numbers of '60s C2s much more than I trust 1957 data.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1956 to 1962 Chevrolet and/or Corvette RPO Single Letter ECL Codes & RPO 565

Todd,
(chuckle). Me neither.... I think it's all good and as long as we're all having some fun that's what counts. I am certainly having fun. The 57's are mysterious and if they could only talk to us and tell us their secrets.

David,
Since your first reply I've kept the faith that more can be learned about the ECLs and 565. I hope it continues.

----
Yes we morphed a bit from the initial C1 ECL and RPO 565 queries, but I also think it's relative to bring up 579 and 469 and anything else that may help lead us to answers to my original ECL questions and RPO 565 mystery. The thing about the ECLs is that they've been in the shadows all these years and when I saw some info a few weeks ago it intrigued me. I feel a bit obsessed now.

I pinged Roy Sinor and Al Grenning with a few emails and they both shed some light on the ECL subject, but unfortunately no definitive data clues and no hard facts on the suffix details. There was discussion about Bill of Materials and that although they did exist for the 500 group jobs for purposes of ordering and production, none are known to exist publicly for the C1 cars. My personal objective with this research is to simply learn more and give us all more knowledge. I'm actually a bit surprised it hasn't been researched before. I never really thought about the RPO ECL suffixes in the AIMs and Spec Guide......until now. I may try to get in touch with GM Heritage also to continue my quest.

I did got a lead yesterday that some more ECL data may exist, however the potential bearer of the data is probably unwilling to share, known by some in the Anti-Petroliana and Anti-Corvette communities.

Rich