65 trim tag decipher??

[Dick G.]

I have an early 65 sb convertible. Built first week in Jan. 65. Maroon/maroon vinyl. On the trim tag after Trim is the code 435 which is for maroon vinyl. This is correct. Now, after the 435 is the letter B. According to Nolands book there should be two letters. There is no second letter. This is an AO Smith car. Does that explain it? Or, did the factory forget the second letter. Has anyone else seen this on a trim tag before? What does this lonely ECL code B represent? Anyone? Thanks! DG

[Wayne P.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

A for coupe, B for convertible

[Wayne P.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

A for coupe, B for convertible

[Philip C.]

A.O Smith car *NM*

[Philip C.]

A.O Smith car *NM*

[James R.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

The NCRS Technical Guide states: All St. Louis built body interior trim codes contain a two-letter suffix. If the first letter is a "A" it indicates a coupe model and if the first letter is a "B" it indicates a convertible model. A.O. Smith built bodies typically contain a single letter suffix.

[James R.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

The NCRS Technical Guide states: All St. Louis built body interior trim codes contain a two-letter suffix. If the first letter is a "A" it indicates a coupe model and if the first letter is a "B" it indicates a convertible model. A.O. Smith built bodies typically contain a single letter suffix.

[Philip C.]

A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv *NM*

[Philip C.]

A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv *NM*

[Wayne M.]

Re: A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv

Phil --- Jim has replied verbatim from the '65 TIM&JG, 5th ed., page 22. The note is added to the bottom of the Interior Trim Code Table.

You may be thinking of the BODY designation (A prefix = Ionia built; S = St.Louis).

In 1965, because of the limited number of ECL codes identified on the trim tag, yes, A (or first letter A of 2-letters for S Bodies) always designated a coupe; [and B, convertible]. Unless black vinyl, which was STD for all.

Of course, in '66 and 67, they got much fancier, with C's, D's, G's, J's, K's, and H's.

[Wayne M.]

Re: A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv

Phil --- Jim has replied verbatim from the '65 TIM&JG, 5th ed., page 22. The note is added to the bottom of the Interior Trim Code Table.

You may be thinking of the BODY designation (A prefix = Ionia built; S = St.Louis).

In 1965, because of the limited number of ECL codes identified on the trim tag, yes, A (or first letter A of 2-letters for S Bodies) always designated a coupe; [and B, convertible]. Unless black vinyl, which was STD for all.

Of course, in '66 and 67, they got much fancier, with C's, D's, G's, J's, K's, and H's.

[Philip C.]

Re: A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv

Wayne thanks, no I wasnt thinking Body, I never realized that 402AA was the objection to the rule, seeing coupe and conv with the AA I never put it together Learn something new everyday! Phil 8063

[Philip C.]

Re: A and B DO NOT indicate coupe or conv

Wayne thanks, no I wasnt thinking Body, I never realized that 402AA was the objection to the rule, seeing coupe and conv with the AA I never put it together Learn something new everyday! Phil 8063

[Harry V.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

Thanks everyone, and to Dick for asking the question. You have solved my questioning since I just bought my 65 last December.
I have a similar early ( sept. 64) Milano Maroon 65 with the lonely B after my trim code. I just joined this year and entered my car into a chapter judging. There was a lot of uncertainty and questioning from the judges and members regarding the single B after my trim code 435.
I did not realize how stressed out you Corvette guys get about trim tags and serial numbers and the next thing you know people are telling me about fraudulent tags etc.. and here I am not feeling too good about my new baby...now I can sleep in peace...thanks again !

[Michael W.]

Re: 65 trim tag decipher??

I just joined this year and entered my car into a chapter judging. There was a lot of uncertainty and questioning from the judges and members regarding the single B after my trim code 435.
I did not realize how stressed out you Corvette guys get about trim tags and serial numbers and the next thing you know people are telling me about fraudulent tags etc.. and here I am not feeling too good about my new baby...now I can sleep in peace...thanks again !

Harry,

It is very common to have new or inexperienced judges at a Chapter meet- possibly their first time judging 'for real' (vs a training session), or having an experienced judge learn a different era of car.

If anyone is getting overly stressed during a judging meet, they're not doing right. It's supposed to fun.

I missed this years meet in St. Sauveur so cannot comment on what might have happened.