1967 convertible top date code

[Donald B.]

I have a 1967 Corvette convertible with an AO Smith body build date of B02, September 1966. The cars serial number (083**) determines the final assembly date to be mid January 1967. This body was built the day before AO Smith went on strike. It is believed that the body was not shipped to St Louis until the strike was settled. That explains the long delay between body build and final assembly. I assume the convertible top was installed on the body at AO Smith. I am planning to replace the convertible top and want to have the new top properly date coded. Should I specify a date code of maybe June or July 1966 for this situation?

[Mark F.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

I have a 1967 Corvette convertible with an AO Smith body build date of B02, September 1966. The cars serial number (083**) determines the final assembly date to be mid January 1967. This body was built the day before AO Smith went on strike. It is believed that the body was not shipped to St Louis until the strike was settled. That explains the long delay between body build and final assembly. I assume the convertible top was installed on the body at AO Smith. I am planning to replace the convertible top and want to have the new top properly date coded. Should I specify a date code of maybe June or July 1966 for this situation?

Hi Donald,

Welcome to the TDB...

What is the date code hot-stamped into the rear window you have on the car top now?
Clear photos of the entire stamp would help...
If you believe the top you have now is the original one, you should probably not change it...others may have different opinions.

[Donald B.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

Mark,
The original top is long gone, replaced back in the early 1980s before I knew anything about date codes.
Thanks, Don

[David H.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

I have a 1967 Corvette convertible with an AO Smith body build date of B02, September 1966. ... Should I specify a date code ...

Donald

Welcome to NCRS' Tech Board.

I expect you have already purchased NCRS' Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide "TIM&JG" for 1967 (NCRS Store). TIM&JG tells you WHAT TO JUDGE. (Description of what the top looked like, etc.)

Additionally, you should obtain a copy of NCRS 9th Edition Corvette Judges Reference Manual "JRM". JRM tells you HOW TO JUDGE.

JRM Section #4 specifies our Standard Deduction Guidelines "SDG". Standard Deduction Guideline #4 covers windshields, door glass, roof panels, Plexiglas and vinyl windows. SDG #4 will reference TIM&JG description and specify "... date within 12 months prior to vehicle assembly."

Vehicle assembly, in your case, is date body was assembled, as AO Smith bodies were shipped ready to drop.

Note: SDG #4 also states "...The above 12-month time span allows for the exception rather than the rule. Most normal production time spans will usually fall within one (1) to six (6) months of vehicle build. "

Dave

[Donald B.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

Dave,
Thanks for the information. The key here for me is that the top must be dated before body build even though that is much earlier than final assembly of the car. It looks like some of the suppliers for the dated tops use the serial number to determine what date to put on the top. I just need to be sure that they will pick a date code earlier than my body build date?
Does anyone have an AO Smith convertible built on B02 or B03 (last day of production before the strike) out there that knows the date stamp on their top?
Don

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

Hi Donald,

Welcome to the TDB...

What is the date code hot-stamped into the rear window you have on the car top now?
Clear photos of the entire stamp would help...
If you believe the top you have now is the original one, you should probably not change it...others may have different opinions.

I would think the top would be installed in ST Louis. He wants to know what date should be on the new top.

[Mark F.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

I would think the top would be installed in ST Louis. He wants to know what date should be on the new top.

Hi Kenneth,

In Don's original post, he said, "I am planning to replace the convertible top and want to have the new top properly date coded..."
When I posted, I did not know at that time that his original top was "long gone" as he said in his reply to me (post #3)...

Also, at least some of the Dow-Smith bodies were shipped on open rail cars to St. Louis, so if your convert was a soft-top only, I'm guessin' they put the soft top on in Ionia for the trip...agreed?

[David H.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

I would think the top would be installed in ST Louis. He wants to know what date should be on the new top.

Kenneth

Body was shipped ready to drop from Ionia, MI. Link below is to a John Hinckley article on A.O. Smith.

Articles first photo shows a convertible with top installed.

untitled (vetteclub.org)

Dave

[Donald B.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

Thanks to everyone for the information. I checked today and the date codes on the vent and window glass are IA (June 66) and UA (July 66) respectively. The windshield was replaced many years ago so I don't have any date code for it.
I will shoot for a date around June or July 1966 assuming tops were produced every month. The date will definitely be earlier than September 66, when the body was finished.
Thanks again,
Don

[James G.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

THANKS DAVID. JOHN HINCKLEY story tells all.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1967 convertible top date code

TRUE I stand corrected. Didnt realize bodies would need a top for shipping. So bodies were painted with all interior parts installed ready to drop on the frame. I assumed that they were raw bodies that were sent to ST Louis. Seems like a logistical to sort out when they arrived in ST Louis.