1965 Frame Stencils 3871317

[Tom D.]

Frame Stencils 3871317 from Quanta. Were they really the same for 1965 coupes #11843 and #16538?

Bottom one was recently made for #11843.



(I know I should have used a roller on the first one.)

[Gary B.]

Re: 1965 Frame Stencils 3871317

Tom,

Yes, it's very likely that the frame stencil was the same for those two VINs. Based on my research on '66 frame stencils, the suffix 21 was used during at least 3 months of the model year. The suffix 27 was used for at least 4 months. Suffixes 22 thru 26 also probably appeared, but I haven't seen examples of every suffix yet.

The two main numbers, 3871317 and 303196, didn't change during the model year, or even between some years, e.g., those are the same numbers for the '66 model year.

Also, you are aware the the stencil white paint was applied with a roller, not a spray (as suggested by your top photo). Also, I believe that any drips in the paint would tend to run upward with the frame upright, since the stencil was probably applied when the frame was upside down. Having said that, for all of the original examples I've seen of '66 stencils, the paint was not applied heavily and I've yet to see any obvious drips. Finally, examples of restored stencils often appear too nice (including mine), i.e., dense paint coverage of each number, and no white paint over the edge of the stencil. Original stencil markings look downright sloppy by comparison.

Gary

[Jim D.]

Re: 1965 Frame Stencils 3871317

Yes, they would be the same.
Here's the original stencil from my 65 coupe #14790.

And the original from my 65 conv. #16786