"Production Trends" - 1965

[Loren L.]

True or False - "Because L84 (FI) and L78 (396) were not available with C60 (A/C), the rarest engine available with C60 in the Corvette model year 1965 was the L76 (365 HP)."

[Jimmy G.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

First thought is TRUE but I suspect the base engine may be the correct answer

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Loren, If we could figure out what the ECLs list as engine options in this data it would answer the question. Somewhere that data exists but never got close to finding it.

Rich

EDIT.... A buddy just reminded me that Noland had some of that figured out. But differentiating e.g. Base Engine coupe & convertible and transmissions and their ECLs still leaves a little on the table. i.e. 2 different ECLs for each Base 467 manual trans/M35 & 437 manual trans/M35.

IMG_4083.jpg

C60.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

So...
Totals 437 and 467: (Check my addition... did it by brain on my cell in the yard)
L75 1304
L79 502
L76 360
Base 257

So Base is most rare in the totals column as Jimmy suspected. But that L76 with the rare A6 compressor monster pulley is the winner in my book.

[Loren L.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Only TWO non-believers! At first glance, disappointing, but upon reflection, probably a good attribute for the 12000+ members of NCRS and their acquired attitude of "Don't tell me - show me.".
Thank you, Richard, for typing all of the variables so that I don't have to. The only difference in your source and the "Production Trends" report is in the L79 coupe area - "PT" shows the # as 335, due to the fact that no one had yet discovered that the # produced was 23564 and not 23562. Your source apparently concluded that the missing two cars were 350 HP C60 coupes. If it was a stab in the dark, not a bad choice, in terms of an enjoyable ride,
But return to the original premise - as Jimmy realized, it does kinda boggle the mind ro realize that a 250 HP A/C car is RARER than a 65 FI car. Well, maybe not in 2020, the way the "factories" are producing.......
A parting shot...... C60/high performance 1965s....L76/C60/U69 = 88 cars; L76/C60/no radio =s 2 cars; L79/C60/U69 =s 74 cars; and L79/C60/no radio =s NO cars.

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Big L76 C60 pulley photo in here....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...216#post693216

[James W.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Guys,

Thanks for taking the time to post the info. I'm glad that I own one of the L79 a/c equipped coupes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

James

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

James, Very nicely detailed. Wow 1 of 337

(Mobile view deleted my post in edit mode, Arghhh)

[James W.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Thanks Rich. Other than one lacquer repaint in 1977, it is mostly unrestored other than maintenance items that needed repair. It was my Dad's driver which he drove on the NCRS Road Tours to Bend, Oregon and Boston, MA. back in the 1980's. Mileage currently at 58,872. I bought it out of my parent's trust when my father passed away back in 2005. He bought it in 1974 from the second owner. Car came from Steakley Bros. Chevrolet in Dallas, TX.

I'm preparing it for flight judging, don't care what the score is but I know it will be a Top Flight car whether it takes mileage points or not. Spent most of last spring getting all the operations items to work correctly. Hope to be ready sometime next year.

James

James, Very nicely detailed. Wow 1 of 337

(Mobile view deleted my post in edit mode, Arghhh)

[Mark E.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

So...
Totals 437 and 467: (Check my addition... did it by brain on my cell in the yard)
L75 1304
L79 502
L76 360
Base 257

So Base is most rare in the totals column as Jimmy suspected. But that L76 with the rare A6 compressor monster pulley is the winner in my book.

What's the buyer psychology behind this? Did many order the base engine and few options because of limited budget? While monied buyers clicked all the boxes including an optional engine and AC?

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

James, Nice history and story. Your Dad would be proud.

...and Radio, Teak Wheel, Power Brakes, KOs and Goldlines. Great options. Any others?

Mark, I'd think strictly budget but likely many were not ordered that way and just allocated to dealers in warm winter climates.

[Loren L.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Mark, I know my #23561 was drop shipped on the dealer in Scottsdale without being ordered. Through John Amgwert many years ago I met a fellow from CA who had been a Tucson college student when the dealer in Eloy AZ had a Nassau/Blue leather, 250 HP, 4spd, PW, PB, C60 KOs, U69, etc. dropped on him. In talking to the two dealers (who both called to b_____), we're almost sure the cars were on the same truck.
But I also know a pharmacist who wanted one in 1971, but the wife had a strict budget - he still has the T-top, 454, A/C, 4 speed, PW, PB.....and NO radio........
Remember that all those Nassau Blue cars would have been Red or Black if he had his way.......

[James W.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Rich,

This was the last Corvette is his collection of C2’s. He had 10 to 12 cars through the 1980’s and ‘90’s. He traveled for his business and bought most of them during the mid to late 1970’s. All of his cars were highly optioned, unrestored small block cars with the exception of an low mileage, unrestored Trophy Blue 1966 427/390 car with every option except side exhaust and headrests. That car was last seen at the 2019 Frisco, TX. regional meet. Some others included a ‘65 FI coupe, and a ‘67 air coupe. He also bought and restored a ‘62 FI and RPO 687 HD brakes that he had flight judged at the national convention in Michigan in the mid ‘90’s. That car was last or currently owned by Gino Burelli.

He taught me a lot about Corvettes as I was a young kid of eight years old when he bought his first Corvette in 1971. He probably owned 30 to 40 C2 in total.

James

[Gary J.]

[Richard M.]

Re: "Production Trends" - 1965

Nice, James. Wow he had a few. Glad to see you've continued the trend.

Gary, Any photos of that big compressor pulley? Sounds like a nice project.

Rich