A picture is worth a thousand words.......

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Some pretty far reaching comments... perhaps some aspects are right, while others could be wrong.

Is the photo 'posed'... there's a very good chance.
Has the image been 'colorized'... another distinct possibility.
Was it 'staged' with non-production components... I seriously doubt it.

Just a few observations to possibly consider:
First of all, I don't believe the body was on the same line as the chassis... but I could be wrong.
From old sketches in JohnZ's presentations, the body had to come over from a different side of the plant.
So the body could easily be out of the picture (up above/coming from the side/etc)... or delayed for the 'posed' image.

The shift knob is indeed in other 1966 body drop images I've posted before... also check Noland's book.
It seems like it was part of the tranny assembly... and I don't believe the interior was installed yet.
(if I recall properly, the interior was installed AFTER the body drop and water testing)

Safety glasses were very uncommon in 60's era assembly line images... just look at the many photos.
Collared shirts were also the norm back then... again, attested by other assembly line images.
(next thing you know, someone will claim the women working the assembly line were also 'staged')

As for the hood being on the vehicle during the body drop... where else would it be?
It was on the car during the paint process... when did they take it off, and where was it safely stored?
Disassembly & reassembly doesn't make much sense to me, but I guess anything was possible.
(but I've seen some other hoods 'ON' during body drops, so those images must have been 'staged')

Just a different opinion on this image, but I could be absolutely wrong... as I certainly wasn't there.
Oh yeah... go back to the 66 body drop images I've posted, and look at the engine suffix labels on the HEAD.
Do you believe what everyone else has told you about the stickers ONLY on the valve cover, or your lying eyes?
I guess the SINGLE day it ever happened, and the ONE car it happened to... a person was there to snap a photo.
Or (like the infamous 'fake' moon landing) was this body drop also a 'staged' photo?
I can hear that conversation now... "Letz move those suffix stickers, and 50 years later, people will be arguing".

[Michael J.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

St.LouisBodyDrop.jpgHere is a photo of this part of the assembly line from one of John's presentations, for comparison......

[Mark F.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Some pretty far reaching comments... perhaps some aspects are right, while others could be wrong...

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/attachme...3&d=1499375207

Was the hood on when they put the body on the frame?

• Front fender rear side panels bonded
• Hood installed and fitted
• Door opening front edge fixture-routed, doors installed/fitted, strikers installed on the lock pillars.

It seems odd to me that the shift knob and t-handle are installed. Wouldn't these have to be removed to install the shift boots? Makes no sense to put something on that needs to be removed later in the process.

• Evacuate-and-fill A/C refrigerant system through service fittings and check for leaks.
• Install manual transmission shift lever rubber boot and retainer.
• Remove hardtop (St. Louis 2-top bodies only) and place on aisle rack; re-install later for water test.

Look at his hands' positions. What is he doing? What is in that location on the car that uses an impact to tighten?

• Final Line:
• Connect pink, tan, and ground wires to fuel tank sending unit, attach antenna ground strap to frame.
• Install off-line bench fixture-sub-assembled grille and front bumpers as a unit, using header-located fixture for fit/parallel; install outer braces last.

The same job this guy is doing would have likely had a similar install on the passenger side, yet no one is there. As stated above, probably not the same job, (guy not in photo is doing the sender wiring) but his head is probably below the crest ridge of the passenger side rear fender (or slightly in the wheel well).

Also, to the right of the shifter, you see what appears to be a Delco Battery with a plastic parts bin atop.

• Push master cylinder forward and inboard for body drop clearance, remove support tool.
• Install battery tray, battery, and hold-down hardware
• Install #1-2-3-4 body mount spacers/cushions with shims per frame markings and tape to frame brackets.
• Spray chassis blackout paint on the outboard side of both mufflers.
• Body Drop:
• Apply compression fixture to both tailpipes and throw over-center lever to pull mufflers together so they clear quarter panels, place shift lever in neutral.
• Drop body on frame using alignment pins at radiator support mount and at #4 body mount; drive all body mount bolts and remove tailpipe compression fixture. Vehicle remains elevated on Chassis conveyor.

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Here is a photo of this part of the assembly line from one of John's presentations, for comparison......

According to some records, that image was taken on September 28, 1965... it appears to be the Corvette in front of the 66 body drop images I've posted in the past (both images are in Noland's book). If you look closely, you'll see the shifter handle and knob already installed.

[Michael J.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Yes, but the T-handle reverse lockout is not.

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Yes, but the T-handle reverse lockout is not.

With a little enlargement and enhancement, I believe the T-handle is indeed there (but right side shadows are harsh):
shifter handle-01.jpg


This was the very next Corvette on the assembly line... the T-Handle is very evident:
(and pay no attention to the 'HT' stickers on the HEAD, as that was 'staged' - LOL)
shifter handle-02.jpg

[Michael J.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

OK, I don't have that kind of resolution when I blow mine up from the PowerPoint. But I still think John's is an honest, accurate picture, whereas the one at the beginning is so highly doctored, altered, staged it is not something I would rely on for details and conclusions.

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

I wish we knew more about the origins of the initial image... my biggest concerns are the possible colorization issues.

[Michael G.]

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

I'm in the midst of attempting to gather more info on the initial color image... it may not pan out, but it doesn't hurt to try.

In the meantime, Michael Hanson (who actually worked at St Louis), had this to say on CorvetteForum... after posting the color image:
"The photo of the red 65 above isn't mine. It's been floating around the internet for a few years. Great picture though. Lot of information there."

[Philip A.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Jack, well said. Could be a second shooter lurking around there too, lol.

[Michael G.]

[Jack M.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

UPDATE: Well, I've done some research, had a hunch, and got lucky... I now know where the image came from.
Simple resolve... it came from a local St Louis newspaper (confirmed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch archives).
Recently spoke with their photographer who reused the image in the past... he believes the photo date is Feb 1965.
He also indicated that particular color film speed was SLOW in this era, and needed a 'static' shot.
With few people in the background, perhaps this was just before/after lunch break, or maybe between shifts.
(BTW- Small world, as the photographer I talked to, once worked for my local Massachusetts newspaper.)

[Gary B.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Jack,

That is some amazing detective work!

Gary

[Domenic T.]

Re: A picture is worth a thousand words.......

Seeing the rear calipers painted black make me feel better about painting mine.

Dom