1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

[Peter M.]

1966 Corvette Factory AC Washer Bag Survey



RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

This survey is regarding original RPO C60 washer bag reinforcement rings, and whether brass reinforcement rings are observed as factory original. As you may know, the current 1966 - 6^th edition Judging Guide, page 154 states washer bag reinforcements as “grommets are steel and magnetic” while the color exhibit picture on the same page M 18-3 clearly shows the reinforcement ring to be brass.



If you believe you own an original 1966 with factory RPO C60, I would appreciate your your observation as to :
- what are your original washer bag reinforcement rings - Brass or Magnetic Steel?
- what is the width measurement of the bag side to side
- What are the last 6 numbers of your VIN so we can track if there was a production change during the model year.


Thank You

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Peter,


The 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966 AIMs list the washer reservoir bag with AC as GM #3824731. Joe Lucia has said that that part number was discontinued 12/1966. The ‘67 AIM lists 3903407. Maybe one version of the bag has brass grommets and one version has steel grommets.


Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Peter,

Long Island Corvette sells two reservoir bags, one for ‘63-‘66 and a different one for ‘67. It would be interesting to know when the 3903407 bag started to be used. One guess would be the start of the ‘67 model year.

Since the earlier bag was GM-discontinued 12/66, the early bag was probably rarely bought by owners of ‘66s to replace a damaged bag. Which means people were probably buying the ‘67 version as a service replacement part, until that part was GM-discontinued. Maybe Joe knows when that latter bag was discontinued. If it was available for many years, there’s a good chance that early bags were replaced over the years with the latter bag. Which makes a survey harder to conduct if you can’t be certain that a very old looking bag is original to a car or not.

Gary

[Peter M.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Thank you Gary - we'll see how the responses come in and how confident respondents might be regarding original vs replacement. Hoping Joe Lucia will chime in here!

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Just as a starting point. Since the part number is the same for 63 - 66, here is a July 63 with brass.

The bag is in great shape. I put in a repro to preserve the original.

IMG_2530.JPG

[Peter M.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

That's great Harry - so far I now have four known originals (including mine) yours form 1963 and three from early 1966 .. besides mine ... the other two - one is a documented survivor wit original bag and the second is a two owner with the original bag .. all are brass reinforcements.

Looking forward to additional input from those original cars!

[Gary B.]

[Gary B.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Peter,

Based on a discussion on the Corvette Forum, the ‘63-‘66 bag is 11”” wide, whereas the ‘67 bag is 13.5” wide. And the 13.5” bag is listed in the ‘75 GM parts catalog as the service replacement part for ‘63-‘67.

How wide is your bag? That will be a key question to ask people you survey.

Gary

[Peter M.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Gary - I will have access to the car this weekend and will provide dimensions.

[Jeremy R.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Here is the bag that came on my April 66 car; holes, paint and all. Looks to have brass

[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

My April 14 built '66's original bag has corroded reinforcing grommets, but they are magnetic and not brass.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

My April 14 built '66's original bag has corroded reinforcing grommets, but they are magnetic and not brass.

That is the second design bag.

[Gary B.]

[Michael J.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Yes, it is 13+", but does that mean it is NTFP and not original to my April '66 built car? I have been through several NCRS judging events and it was always called as original with no deductions.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1966 Corvette Factory AC RPO C60 Original Washer Bag

Yes, it is 13+", but does that mean it is NTFP and not original to my April '66 built car? I have been through several NCRS judging events and it was always called as original with no deductions.

Not necessarily, that is what Peter is trying to determine. What was the cutover date. Was it in 66 or the start of 67.