What are these holes for?

[Patrick T.]

in the '67 front end, near the bumpers? I got dinged a couple points because I hadn't drilled them. I asked the judge what they were for but he didn't know except that all '67's had them. He must be right because the '67 Duntov car below has them, see arrows. So what is their purpose? Thanks PT

[Rich P.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Pat,

63-65's Had a different radiator support that stood straight up compared to the 66-67's. The hole is for the headlight support rod L brackes (the lower valance is secured to the L bracket. 63-65's only had 2 holes. 66-67's had four because of the radiator support change.

Rich

[Rich P.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Pat,

I forgot to mention....look at the bumper bracket relief on the valance by your arrow. Only 67 and 67's had thie notch cut out there , it was for radiator clearance. make sure yours has that also.

Rich

[Michael J.]

Re: What are these holes for?

This is an interesting picture. My'66 has two holes, but they are side by side not one above the other, they are about where the lowest one is on the valance in this photo. And they are just holes, nothing in them. Does that mean my nose is not original I wonder?

[Rich P.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Michael,

No it could just be that the lower valance was changed.

Rich

[Patrick T.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Pat,

63-65's Had a different radiator support that stood straight up compared to the 66-67's. The hole is for the headlight support rod L brackets. The lower valance is secured to the L bracket. 63-65's only had 2 holes. '66-'67's had four because of the radiator support change. Rich

Thanks Rich, I did a search prior to making the original post but came up with nothing. Now, looking below at previous posts, I see a picture that John Hinckley posted of his '67. Same as the '67 red car. I have a Semersheim's front clip and the dimples ARE there for those extra two holes, I just never drilled them out. Guess that's on my "to do" list. I still can't figure out why the '67 assembly line at St. Louis would drill those extra holes in there if they weren't needed. PT

[Clem Z.]

Re: What are these holes for?

maybe they were used for body assy. JMHO

[Bill C.]

Re: What are these holes for?

I do not think the assembly line drilled those, the lower valance panels were molded and drilled at point of manufacture, after 65 all panels made had both sets of holes and also had the relief notch cut for the lower radiator outlet.
Today we find lots of restored 63-5 cars with two sets of holes and the notch because even though NOS parts may have been used, anything manufactured by the generals staff had 'em. 63-5 cars should not have second set of holes or the notch, to be clear.

I have noticed however on some known original cars, especially early in the 66 model year, some of those panels have very obviously had that notch cut out by hand, as if they were using up panels on hand that were from earlier stock, only on small block cars though as the BB radiator did not require the notch.

Anybody have a known original early 1966 BB car without the notch?
Bill

[Gary B.]

'66 RH front valance area

Patrick,

Here's a photo of the area on the RH side of the front valance on my '66 no-hit, small block car, with a July 20 build date. I think this will be the same as '67. As best I can tell or remember, nothing goes into the lower hole in the photo.

Gary

[Bill C.]

Re: '66 RH front valance area

Patrick,

Here's a photo of the area on the RH side of the front valance on my '66 no-hit, small block car, with a July 20 build date. I think this will be the same as '67. As best I can tell or remember, nothing goes into the lower hole in the photo.

Gary

Gary,
Correct, nothing went into the rear holes in the valance when used in 66-67 model year, in 63-5 original panels there were only the rears and they were used.
Bill Caldwell

[Patrick T.]

Re: What are these holes for?

I do not think the assembly line drilled those, the lower valance panels were molded and drilled at point of manufacture, after 65 all panels made had both sets of holes and also had the relief notch cut for the lower radiator outlet. Bill

Makes sense to me. Thanks to everyone for the comments. PT

[Ray G.]

Re: What are these holes for?

in the '67 front end, near the bumpers? I got dinged a couple points because I hadn't drilled them. I asked the judge what they were for but he didn't know except that all '67's had them. He must be right because the '67 Duntov car below has them, see arrows. So what is their purpose? Thanks PT

Hello Patrick;
Your picture is interesting in the fact it has the notch/cut out for what I thought was small block radiators, as Bill Caldwell also noted.
Curious if the notch/cut out is random?
Thanks. Ray

[Alan S.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Hi Patrick,
I thought you might enjoy a couple of pictures. It SURE is a nice car!!!
Regards,
Alan

I'm sorry I don't have 1 of the puppy.

[John H.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Hello Patrick;
Your picture is interesting in the fact it has the notch/cut out for what I thought was small block radiators, as Bill Caldwell also noted.
Curious if the notch/cut out is random?
Thanks. Ray

Ray -

The notch/cutout is molded into the valance panel, not "cut"; it has smooth edges.

[Bill C.]

Re: What are these holes for?

Ray -

The notch/cutout is molded into the valance panel, not "cut"; it has smooth edges.

Thats true for most of the model year and all of 67, seen original early 66 sb and BB that are quite obviously done post mold with a saw or something leaving rough surface and ragged edge, once the car has been repainted once, the painter may have sanded it smooth. I seem to see it usually on AOS cars, always assumed they were using up stock of the earlier panels and modifying them for use on the new required design