Hi,
I am currently restoring a 1965 Corvette Coupe, delivered new to Jim Rathmann of Melbourne, Florida, title stated on it "U-Rent-It Program" when it was purchased used in 1971 at Spence Chevrolet in Daytona Beach, Florida . I verified the delivery with our Historic Document Services also, It's a silver coupe with a silver interior, optioned with 350 hp 327 engine, 4-speed, CR transmission, non-posi 3:55 rear, P/S, P/B, A/C, telescoping column, P/W, full tint. It must have been stunning new and really looked like a rocket!
Here is my dilemma, the entire interior was spray dyed black sometime in the 70s, even the headliner was sprayed, it appears that they did recover the seats in black, although dyed the silver backs, the vinyl has the right pattern but is not typical "grain". So its obvious everything was originally silver, including the original door panels which are still with car and dated appropriately.
The trim tag reads 426AA for silver vinyl and QQ for silver body, it has a built date of H11, March 11, 1965. ST Louis Built. The problem is in the ECL code, which reads AA, which is base for coupe and excludes, N03, M35, and A31. Obviously there is no auto trans or big tank, but it definitely has power windows and was definitely built that way. No doubts about it. I was pretty concerned as one could imagine, but it is absolutely an original tag also. First I thought maybe it had leather as that ECL code would have been 427, one digit off as AA in that version does not exclude P/W.
After talking with some very helpful members I was informed that in the current version of Volume #1 of the Authentication Library book, it is noted that there have been several documented cases of this exact scenario involving Convertibles. Its right on page #53. (I must have an early version of Volume #1 as it's not in mine! So I was really excited to learn this, and same member was good enough to fax me a copy of that page.)
"Several 1965 Convertibles with 426BA Silver Vinyl interior trim designation have been confirmed as being built with excluded options listed in Schedule #2", it further states" Some 1965 #426BA Silver Vinyl Corvettes with authentic trim tags may be properly considered to have no restrictions as to the presence or absence of interior options." "This note confirms that, on occasion the 426BA Silver Vinyl exception code may have been treated as if it was 427BA Silver Leather with respect to restrictions" ( I cannot understand what difference it would have made to a P/W or Auto Trans install being OK with Leather, but not vinyl seat cover?)
So, here is my thoughts, that this being the case for convertibles, would this not apply to Coupes as well as an exception? It appears that way but it would be nice to get some more feedback. I cannot imagine what would have been different between a coupe and convertible if they were making the same mistake.
Are there any cases documented of this being the case in Coupes also? If so, will that be added to the next release of Volume #1?
Thanks!
I am currently restoring a 1965 Corvette Coupe, delivered new to Jim Rathmann of Melbourne, Florida, title stated on it "U-Rent-It Program" when it was purchased used in 1971 at Spence Chevrolet in Daytona Beach, Florida . I verified the delivery with our Historic Document Services also, It's a silver coupe with a silver interior, optioned with 350 hp 327 engine, 4-speed, CR transmission, non-posi 3:55 rear, P/S, P/B, A/C, telescoping column, P/W, full tint. It must have been stunning new and really looked like a rocket!
Here is my dilemma, the entire interior was spray dyed black sometime in the 70s, even the headliner was sprayed, it appears that they did recover the seats in black, although dyed the silver backs, the vinyl has the right pattern but is not typical "grain". So its obvious everything was originally silver, including the original door panels which are still with car and dated appropriately.
The trim tag reads 426AA for silver vinyl and QQ for silver body, it has a built date of H11, March 11, 1965. ST Louis Built. The problem is in the ECL code, which reads AA, which is base for coupe and excludes, N03, M35, and A31. Obviously there is no auto trans or big tank, but it definitely has power windows and was definitely built that way. No doubts about it. I was pretty concerned as one could imagine, but it is absolutely an original tag also. First I thought maybe it had leather as that ECL code would have been 427, one digit off as AA in that version does not exclude P/W.
After talking with some very helpful members I was informed that in the current version of Volume #1 of the Authentication Library book, it is noted that there have been several documented cases of this exact scenario involving Convertibles. Its right on page #53. (I must have an early version of Volume #1 as it's not in mine! So I was really excited to learn this, and same member was good enough to fax me a copy of that page.)
"Several 1965 Convertibles with 426BA Silver Vinyl interior trim designation have been confirmed as being built with excluded options listed in Schedule #2", it further states" Some 1965 #426BA Silver Vinyl Corvettes with authentic trim tags may be properly considered to have no restrictions as to the presence or absence of interior options." "This note confirms that, on occasion the 426BA Silver Vinyl exception code may have been treated as if it was 427BA Silver Leather with respect to restrictions" ( I cannot understand what difference it would have made to a P/W or Auto Trans install being OK with Leather, but not vinyl seat cover?)
So, here is my thoughts, that this being the case for convertibles, would this not apply to Coupes as well as an exception? It appears that way but it would be nice to get some more feedback. I cannot imagine what would have been different between a coupe and convertible if they were making the same mistake.
Are there any cases documented of this being the case in Coupes also? If so, will that be added to the next release of Volume #1?
Thanks!
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