65 Power Steering option

[Ronald L.]

[Jim D.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

T. Unless someone knows otherwise, Im going with PS would have been an aftermarket add on to an L78 car.

Although my L-78 doesn't have power steering, since it's clearly addressed in the A.I.M, with all the corresponding part #'s, as well as the 65 JG, there's no doubt that it was available from the factory. I've never seen any document that said it wasn't available with the L-78.

[Jack M.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

I've never seen any document that said it wasn't available with the L-78.

These 1965 Chevrolet pricing & option sheets do NOT list the L78 with N40, but I've seen a few mistakes in the past.
1965_Power_Steering.jpg


I thought I had a possible window sticker, but it turns out there are mistakes in the RPO & ECL codes.
1965 REPRO.jpg


At this point, I'm leaning towards the availability of L78 & N40... especially with the AIM, and ECL data from the Production Trends.
1965_N40_Production_Trends.jpg

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

All the 396 owners will swear that the 396 never came with WSW either, but its sure there on the window sticker.

And if the data is correct, what percentage of the 2157 425HP's are non- wrecked vehicles today?

20 per Chevy data means you better have a window sticker to prove it, and an original carbon dated correct fiber paper window sticker at that.

Kinda bad when an educated eye can look at the fibers in paper and detect that the paper was made from a non NA indigenous tree like japonicum, bamboo, etc; that wasn't happening in 1965.

[James W.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

There is a '65 396 with power steering up for sale on Bring a Trailer with discussion as to whether the power steering was factory installed.

1965 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 396/425 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - ending February 8 (Lot #97,860) | Bring a Trailer

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

James, a link?

Only one there the red coupe is 100% restoration, does not even have an accurate air cleaner lid, no window sticker ...

[Jack M.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

All the 396 owners will swear that the 396 never came with WSW either, but its sure there on the window sticker.

Ron- I mentioned thatz a BOGUS/REPRO window sticker... especially with the RPO & ECL mistakes.

[James W.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

Updated my post with a link.

James, a link?

Only one there the red coupe is 100% restoration, does not even have an accurate air cleaner lid, no window sticker ...

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

Jack, now I got it!

Ron- I mentioned thatz a BOGUS/REPRO window sticker... especially with the RPO & ECL mistakes.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

Same car... I do not see Power Steering in the pictures nor the documentation.

Updated my post with a link.

[James W.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

My mistake, I thought I saw it.

Same car... I do not see Power Steering in the pictures nor the documentation.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

James that clasp will throw you for a loop, no problemo

My mistake, I thought I saw it.

[Ray K.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

My order for a 1965 396 coupe was placed in April of '65. Power steering not available as per the sales manager at the dealership where I worked
My view has been these many years that, and continues today, that the P/S option was not available on the L-78 engine. My P & A catalog of August 1965 does not list any of the components necessary for a 396 P/S installation. A year later, ( August 66 ) the components are listed for the 1965 -66 396 / 427 engine option matching the part numbers as listed in the '65 Assembly Manual. These may have been listed in an earlier printing of the '66 P & A, most likely at the beginning of the '66 production year. When was the N40 P/S option released ? My guess is with the start of the 1966 Corvette production year. My view is not in agreement with the '65 Judging Guide.
Ray

[Jack M.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

Ray- I suspect communication issues/errors for the lack of more L78s with N40 builds. A letter to Chevy dealers (dated 2-8-65) indicated that the 396 would soon be released. In part, it mentioned the following:
"A revision to the 1965 Model Dealer Price Bulletin incorporating this information is now in process and will be mailed as soon as possible."

The basic 396 engine prices were established, with an ETA at plant level of April. For Corvette, they also noted that K66 was mandated. In addition, the REVISION for the 1965 Finger-Tip Facts only noted that the 350HP engine could now be ordered with N40 (no mention of the 425HP).

As seen in a previous post, the March and June price bulletins neglected to mention the combo of L78 with N40. Given all that info, it seems pretty clear that most dealers would 'believe' that N40 could not be optioned with the L78 engine... then again, I've seen many mistakes and dependencies in the dealer ordering info (it was often in flux).

But we can't discount the AIM page... if the option was CANCELED, it was noted on the page with LARGE text (and there was plenty of opportunity from the Feb 2nd date on the drawing). Nor can we overlook the GM Production Trend numbers... that was internal tracking, on specific ECL codes/options.

Perhaps dealers needed to go 'up the ladder' to find out if N40 was indeed available with L78... how else can you account for the 20 Corvettes in the Production Trends? If the parts were available for installation, they couldn't build, charge for, and include that option in their internal data. Not an argument... just a differing opinion to consider.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 65 Power Steering option

Those 20 cars Easily could have been pre production test cars
You had to build and test before mass production

Jack we need to pull the N40 1966 AIM page and show the dates of that release
I suspect it will be in 2nd quarter 1965