1965 Big Block

[Dave N.]

I have a question about a 1965 396. The VIN # is in the 4900 range and the production date is E18 which would be Dec 18th. Since the 396 was offered late in the 1965 year, what is the earliest production date and VIN # that would be expected for a 396 car? Wanting to make sure this one checks out.

thanks

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

I have a question about a 1965 396. The VIN # is in the 4900 range and the production date is E18 which would be Dec 18th. Since the 396 was offered late in the 1965 year, what is the earliest production date and VIN # that would be expected for a 396 car? Wanting to make sure this one checks out.

thanks

Dave -- for many years, it was accepted that the earliest PRODUCTION 396 was VIN 12584, and with some help from Chevrolet insiders, was delivered to a Mr. Cliff at a Wichita dealer on March 26th. Car built on March 19th. Bill Mock owned it at one time, and it was on display at Bloomington Gold 1995.

Since then, on this board, I believe others have posted numbers sligtly earlier than that.

P.S. the car your looking at isn't Maroon, by any chance ?

[Dave N.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Yes, Maroon. Just called the owner and they confirmed the engine was changed from 327. thanks for your help

[Dave N.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Wayne

Have you seen this car? 396 badges applied, tan top, maroon leather interion

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Wayne

Have you seen this car? 396 badges applied, tan top, maroon leather interion

Sorry Dave; I didn't connect the dots between your earlier post on a '65 maroon convertible trim tag, and this thread on early 396's . When asking if it was maroon, I was flashing back to the late '70s - early '80's here in Calgary Alberta, when there was a '65 COUPE maroon /maroon, with an impossibly low VIN. Word was that it was imported from the Boston MA area.

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

As you have already found out the production build date and the L78 option do not match - does the car have side exhaust? In the old days many of the L78's were ordered by people who wanted to race them, so many of the original production engines are no longer with us.

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

mine was 114271 delivered on 4/16/65 at the st louis plant

[John D.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Clem,

Do you know what became of that car ?

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Clem,

Do you know what became of that car ?

i sold it to a friend when i got my 66 BB and i do not know what happened after that. i was always going to call him and see what he did with it but never got around to doing it. i know for sure his brother is still in the area.

[Edward S.]

Re: 1965 Big Block

Dave,
Should have included the following - mine is #120098 picked up at the plant on 6/22/65