Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

[James S.]

There is some information in the Archives on the Vlchek Hardtop Wrench that came with a 63 to 67 Corvette convertibles equipped with a hardtop.
There does not seem to be anything definitive on the correct style.

"Noland Adams' Technical Guide" has an engineering drawing on page 336, but does not specify the imprinted data and the location of such.

Below are three pictures: Pictures 1 & 3 show original Vlchek wrenches; Picture 2 was taken from the Archives and was posted as original.

Does anyone have verifiable information on whether one, all or none of these actually came with 63-67 Convertibles?

[Harry S.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

This is a re-pro from LIC. It's close to your second picture with the gray background. One difference I see is the re-pro is W01416 and the originals are W1416. I believe John Hinckley originally posted that picture and as best I can recall, they are the real deal.

Harry

[Gary C.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

James, send an e-mail to Dwight Paul who's in the Member's List. Dwight's a '65 original owner. Gary....

[James S.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

Thanks Gary. I have sent an email to Dwight although I noted that he is the original owner of 65 Coupe, so perhaps he has some knowledge other than from the Coupe.

I do not doubt that what John Hinckley posted is a picture of an original HT Wrench. That said, the question remains whether other configurations of Vlchek wrenches were also supplied with Midyear Corvettes?

[Ronald L.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

Interesting in the threads noted or referenced on this subject the details are not clarified.

Was there a change from year over year to these wrenches?

The one in the middle being 65-67?
The others 63,64?

One owner or two owner cars - here's my wrench...kind of data.

[John D.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

I have the original wrench from a 65 Corvette that I bought new. Has the same info on as the LI repro. WO 1416. Not W1416. John

[Patrick T.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

I thought the original wrench's had "Irwin" stamped on them? Or is that on the other side? Thanks, PT

[John D.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

The other side of the two I have are blank Patrick

[William L.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

Its the screwdriver for 67 bolt on wheels that were made by Irwin..

Irwin Screw drivers 021.jpg

[Jim T.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

I have a 1/2 VLCHEK WO1416 U.S.A. 7/16 like John G. mentions. My wife had a 64 convertible and I had a 64 convertible and still have a 68 convertible. Don't remember buying the wrench, has been in my tool assortment collection a very long time.

[Steve B.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

I have a wrench exactly like Jims third picture for my 67 and has always judged well.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

Early ones one style, later like 67 a different style?

What does the WO mean as compared to the W?

[Gary C.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

Ron,

W1416 is the Vlchek wrench model number. Here's a link to Vlchek history that shows a W1416 wrench in Fig 70. http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artif...-story-p2.html

Per the Vlchek story link - W series wrench model numbers were the across the flat (AF) opening dimensions in 32nds of an inch. The "0" (zero) was used on for models with wrench openings less than 10/32 (5/16)". As an example a 3/16 x 1/4 wrench was model number W00608.

Vlchek supplied the Chevrolet Tool Kits from the 40's or before through 1966 according to some of the tool websites. That begs the question - did Vlchek supply the 1967 Hard Top wrench.

Any member have an original '67 Hard Top wrench they will post a photo of?

Gary
....

[James S.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

All original Vlchek W-series wrenches have the word "Alloy" stamped on the shank or on one end.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Hardtop Wrench - Midyears

The point to this is there are three versions in three years people say are original.

Gary, thanks for the link, interesting reading. So how did the "O" get on these wrenches as they were 7/16 on the small end??? An 'oops' in the repro world? But then one of the guys says they have their original and that is what it has on it.

I agree

1-2 owner originals - pics of these and document each year.