Can anyone assist me in what you'd look for on a 65 Fuelie Coupe 327ci/375hp, 4 sp, 3,55 posi prior to purchase.? Items like suspension that came stock on the Fuelie, FI numbers and dates, block, heads etc. It's got the cast alumininum wheels not sure if actual stock or not, N14 side exhaust, no mention of hammer or correct jack either, says numbers matching but price is high w/no real docs. It's too far for me to look at and I hate to buy sight unseen w/out any real paper work. Car is at dealership in MD. Color is Milano Maroon, white interior. Thanks. I can judge the SB/BB midyears but this 65 Fuelie I have to confess I know little about judging them as real. Happy Holidays to you all.
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
George,
Most things to "make" a fuelie can just be added or modified to look like it was original so it's tough to tell.
But to start look for an original radiator support with air intake opening along with original high hat screws,
mounting holes in the Dr fender skirt for the air cleaner for original hardware and not hogged out (as is someone drilled it and then found the location was not correct and had to adjust them)
if the original harnesses 65's had an electronic fuel enrichment solinoid so look for a bogus spliced in connection,
see if you can check the gauge cluster id sticker (I don't know the 2 letter designation off hand) and 6500 red line and 80lb oil gauge (this is also the same for the L-76 and L-78)
look for the large capacity oil pan,
Most importantly if the car has the original nose check the emblem holes on the inside fener area and make sure that the holes were never there for a non fuelie car.
I ain't no fuelie expert but that's what I can come up with, maybe some others will add to this.
Rich -
Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
George,
The man you need to contact is Jim Gessner. He is in So. Cal. You can do it thru these boards or just Google /yahoo him. He is Vettefinderjim. He is the man when it comes to 65 fuel cars. He may even know the car you are talking about as he has an accumulative list of 65 fuel cars. Most everyone on this discussion board knows Jim. Great guy.
John Seeley
67 Black/Teal 300hp 3 spd coupeJohn Seeley
67 Black/Teal
300 hp 3 speed coupe
65 Maroon/Black
35k mile Fuelie coupeComment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
i can look it over if they'll bring it up to cumberland,md. no charge for the evaluation. i have several original midyear fuelies.mikeComment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
One possible correction on what to look for. In 1965 there were three engine/starter harnesses. 64-65 without AC, 64-65 with AC. and 65-'396.
The 7380 fuel injection unit has a burgundy micro switch that plugs into the engine/starter harness. Doesn't matter if the car came with an automatic or a 4 speed.
The micro switch harness plugs into the neutral safty connector. So a fake fuel car cannot be told from this harness. Now if the car is a bowtie car then you could learn something from the harness as the repro harness isn't correct.
In looking at the radiator support check that the two round tubes welded to the support(X bracing) have the little strap on them at the Left and right bottom area. The service replacment core support doesn't have the little strap.
Check the holes for the air cleaner, the hardware, the undercoating on these parts. Of course check the exhaust manifolds.
Also most of the 65 Fi's were stamped with the serial number of the car. For example: Prefix starts with 510XXXXX
If the car is Dec 64 or Jan 65 the plenum may not be stamped.
Give us the serial number of the FI unit and the engine build date.
As mentioned no one in the world has as much info as Jim Gesner on 65's. Drew Papsun is a walking encylopedia on 65 FI cars also.
But with enough cash and brains a 65 Fi car can be created.
George. Forget all of my speech. Have Doc Mike and the boys check the car out. I wouldn't buy a fuel car unless I had it checked out by the pros. Been involved too many years answering the question. "How much $$$ does it take to make my carb car a fake FI car". (they don't say fake. I added that word for effect)
Good luck, JDComment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
John, one item I disagree with is the attaching air cleaner bolts were installed after undercoat and blackout so will be natural.
Dan1964 Red FI Coupe, DUNTOV '09
Drove the 64 over 5000 miles to three Regionals and the San Jose National, one dust storm and 40 lbs of bugs!Comment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
Yup, I agree. No undercoat on the air cleaner mounting plate or bolts. The air cleaner was installed long after the wheelwell undercoat process.
Every part to MAKE a 65 FI car is an easy bolt on operation with the exception of the lack of evidence of previous holes for the side flag/emblems on the fenders. That's the one item on a 65 FI car that can't be easily faked. Look on the inside surface of the panel for signs of repair. If the area is smooth, as if it were sanded to smooth out the hole filler material, I would ask that the paint be removed from that area.
Do NOT assume that an FI car is real just because it has all the correct components bolted on. That's the easy part.
Comment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
If you are into serious "I want to buy this car!", then you need to hire the good doctor to look at it.
Then again, it might be interesting to see the seller's reaction to "I need you to bring the car to Cumberland - at my expense - so Mike M. can look at it."; if you get what I call the carnival shuffle, ie, No we're too busy, etc., your inspection might be COMPLETED just by their reluctance.Comment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
I, for one, sure wouldn't let someone take my car anywhere, without me, for an evaluation. Especially out of town. I can hear the "after" story: "You let them load your '65 fuelie on a trailer and take it away?" What!?!
George, be aware that very few '65 fuelies came with sidepipes. The car would need to be, probably, March or later. Good luck.
George
31887Comment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
Look at the front clip on this car real close. I did an inspection, a couple of years ago, on a car that fits this description. Had a one piece front clipDick WhittingtonComment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
NOT a Chance on the sidepipes being real. on a Dec car, so what else is amiss would be the next question?Bill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: 65 Fuelie ID info to check frior to purchase
The car was inspected last week by an NCRS Red Hat Master judge. Send me a PM, if you are real serious about the car.Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COMComment
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