Are my 1966 options authentic?

[Wj H.]

Gents: I recently purchased a 1966 327/300 convertible with air, sidepipes and knock-offs. I would like to figure out if 1) are they correct (factory) items, and 2) are they original to the car. I understand that these are two different questions. can you provide some help on answering the questions as to these 3 options? thanks, Jim H

[Tom H.]

Re: Are my 1966 options authentic?

First......... Welcome to our forum and the NCRS. Congrats on the first post !

There are people here far more qualified to answer your questions, but I can get you started.

You can never tell for certain on options without documentation, but we can look for clues.

If you post the info from your trim tag, we may be able to get closer. If you have an AO Smith body, we can rule out the side exhaust. If it is a St. Louis body, you can look for traces of original under car exhaust and rear body outlets. Evidence of hangers, ground straps, replaced panels and filled holes are usually a heads up. There are also some body issues involved in a sidepipe conversion that are easy to spot. Others here can elaborate better than I on these items.

I don't think there is a trim tag ECL that will confirm the AC .

The knock off's are a hard item to confirm since they are an easy bolt on change over item. You can look for wheel dates, hardware and knock off instructions on your jackboard for clues, but hard to confirm for certain. Are your knock off's real KH factory wheels, or repros ??

If you post info from the trim tag and a couple shots of your dash and underhood AC system, we can probably provide some input from there.

Sounds like a neat car. Looking forward to helping.

[Jim P.]

Re: Are my 1966 options authentic?

With no other information, I would guess that a/c is original to the car. It would be extremely difficult and expensive to collect all the proper parts to convert a non a/c car to a/c. Of course, it has been done. But, there must be a mountain of clues in the conversion that would identify it as a fake. If you are really unsure, I would suggest picking up an assembly manual. There is a section on a/c that will identify all the unique parts and you be able to discover quite easily what's real and what's not.

I'm currently restoring an a/c car and many of the parts are not reproduced. The parts that aren't are prohibitively expensive if you can even find them. I think the cost to do the conversion would far outweigh the added value of the completed car, especially on a 327/300.

I would bet the a/c is original.

[Jack H.]

Re: Are my 1966 options authentic?

I agree, factory air is a hard option to try to add after the car was originally built! Plus, for those wanting A/C cooling, it's cheaper/better to go the route of a classic car add-on system.

I'd certainly question the side exhaust and KO wheels as those were somewhat unusual factory options for low HP cars, but NOT impossible...

On the KO's, your rear storage compartment will have a different version of the jacking instructions and should sport a roadside emergency lead hammer if the car was originally factory KO equipped. If these components are fresh/new or don't match the attributes of known factory originals, those are telltale signs the KO wheels option may have been added.

Side exhaust is another very popular owner installed 'upgrade'. There are a number of telltales that judges use to spot a dealer/owner inspired side exhaust car. The list is pretty long, but it's been recited several times before and you can find prior threads in the archives.

Last, if you question these things, why not have the car judged and get the OPINION of senior NCRS judges?

[Larry S.]

Re: Are my 1966 options authentic?

My 67 is similarly equipped--327/300, A/C, auto, factory sidepipes (I added the boltons). I don't know why anyone would order sidepipes on a SB, but they did in my case. Perhaps tastes or mindsets were different back then. In any event, I love the sidepipes! I just bought another 67, 427/400, without sidepipes, which kinda disappoints me--I don't know if I can live with all that quiet!