Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

[Jeff B.]

Searched archives to no avail. So.......
Wondering if, in 1967, did any small block cars come out with factory installed
427 style hood? Have heard there were some near the very end of production?

[Larry M.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

You need to search a bit harder.

Short answer is "NO". If they were on car a delivery, the dealer installed them and painted them for the customer.

Larry

[Jeff B.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

Thanks Larry:
That's what I suspected. Had heard, however, that at the end of production in an attempt to utilize leftover big block hoods, some were installed without the "427" emblems and did not have the hood striped either.

[Don H.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

I have heard it was a "rumor" started by a late long time member and he enjoyed that the rumor had a long life. Don H.

[Keith B.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

There is nothing to support this theory. There is GM paperwork, no plant workers saying it happened, and no cars with sold proof. The Corvette Forum has many good threads on this

[John D.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

You old guys know this story. I grew up at Grabiak Chevrolet in New Alexandria, PA in old days. It was my hangout. The owner son was Sam Jr.
Jr was very much into Corvettes. He and his Dad sponsored me in 1961 to go to the GM Training center for the FI courses.
Big Block hoods on small block. Grabiaks had two new 66 or '67 small block cars with big block hoods. Off the truck. They were painted body color and were very plain looking. I asked Jr what the story was on the hoods and why did he have them painted. He said he was going to put a sign on the car stating that is how they came off the truck. I cannot remember if the Corvette was '66 or '67. One was a maroon color. Barry Holmes told me the other one was silver.
Was this typical? Nope. But it did happen.

The last load of '65 Corvettes Grabiak got in had two cars with '66 grilles. Jr was all excited and said that was the '67 hood. I asked how do you know. He said he had the pics of the '67 in his office.
But don't go saying I said any of the above and try to get the car judged please.
If Clem Zahrobsky was still a NCRS member he would back up the above. I met Clem at Grabiaks. There were two others alive that will back up the above. But forget all of this as it will never fly. Just things I remember.
How about some of the midyear non fuel cars coming in with a FI radiator support gang. Assembly line had to keep moving.
I will not be back to answer any of the above. Sorry as getting ready for Carlisle. Take care, John

[John D.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

Barry Holmes knows all about the big block hoods on the small blocks from St. Louis. I know he is looking in on this post.
Barry say a few words please.

[Alan D.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

Have a good friend who purchased a 67 in Boston area, small block with BB hood - has no reason to lie and not a story teller.
Remember we follow the Judging Guide unless we have GM proof to prove otherwise!

[Darryl D.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

Barry Holmes knows all about the big block hoods on the small blocks from St. Louis. I know he is looking in on this post.
Barry say a few words please.

John,
You are the first KNOWLEDGABLE Corvette guy that I have ever heard this from. I am sure you have argued with John Hinkley about this over the years.
I have learned to never say never when it comes to production anomalies of old cars.

Please elaborate on your statement below. Are you saying the dealership owner's son was saying he as going to put a sign on them because he was tired of being asked about these cars with BB hoods on SB cars? When you say "plain looking" I assume you mean they had no hood striping? 66 BB cars had no striping from the factory only the 67 BB cars came from the factory with them.

"Big Block hoods on small block. Grabiaks had two new 66 or '67 small block cars with big block hoods. Off the truck. They were painted body color and were very plain looking. I asked Jr what the story was on the hoods and why did he have them painted."

[Edward B.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

More SB cars with BB hoods today than ever left the factory with that configuration.

[Larry M.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

More SB cars with BB hoods today than ever left the factory with that configuration.

That we can agree on.

Larry

[James G.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

This subject has been discussed many times over the years. Per NOLAND ADAMS VOL @ Technical Restoration book, BIG BLOCK HOODS on small block cars were installed only 3 days end of Feb 67, early March from approximately vin #12128 thru #12550, The original mold had a small tool accidentally installed in it, so St. Louis ran out of ''good hoods'' until the vendor corrected the problem. The plant elected to install big block hoods vs. shutting down the line. People thru today changed the hoods often. I have seen three original cars that fit the above

[Frank D.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

More SB cars with BB hoods today than ever left the factory with that configuration.

And more being produced as we speak..

[Keith B.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

This subject has been discussed many times over the years. Per NOLAND ADAMS VOL @ Technical Restoration book, BIG BLOCK HOODS on small block cars were installed only 3 days end of Feb 67, early March from approximately vin #12128 thru #12550, The original mold had a small tool accidentally installed in it, so St. Louis ran out of ''good hoods'' until the vendor corrected the problem. The plant elected to install big block hoods vs. shutting down the line. People thru today changed the hoods often. I have seen three original cars that fit the above

with that logic there would be around 200 or so SB cars with BB hoods out there. That is quite a few and you would think there would be a lot left with proof or no doubt it left the factory with. All the cars I seen with claim you can clearly tell the BB hood support bracket was ADDED after it left St Louis

[Chris H.]

Re: Big Block Hoods on Small Block Cars

I know this is a Midyear discussion but at the New England Regional in May, there was a Shark (71 or 72), red, base motor coupe that had a big block /LT1 hood. Judges determined it was an original paint car and the hood was original to the car. I did not get a chance to ask owner about it.