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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:02 PM
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Is there a way to tell if a car came with side pipes from the factory?

My TRIM TAG says:

H18
Style: 65 437 S2355 BODY
TRIM 420AG 900GG PAINT

Using this ELC decoder (http://www.stl-vettes.com/65Vette/tr...m_Tag_Main.htm), it only tells me that this ECL was used with option A31 (power windows, which my car does have) and not used with M35 and N01 (which my car does not have).
So, besides tank sheet or window sticker, there's not way to tell for sure what options a car came with out of the factory?

Thanks,
-Matt
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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:04 PM
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Also BODY code S2355 tells it's from St Louis Factory and not A.O. Smith which could not make side pipes, so another "good sign" that the sides pipes are orignal, but not a guaranty...
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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:07 PM
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Another one is the K-H knock off wheels: they have the "K-H D-49985" casting, so that means they are real and not repro, but anything that can tell me if car actually came with those wheels??
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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:23 PM
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Sorry, there isn't unless you have the actual original window sticker. You might be able to figure out the side pipes likelihood, but not from any of the trim tag numbers.
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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by mallie
Is there a way to tell if a car came with side pipes from the factory?

My TRIM TAG says:

H18
Style: 65 437 S2355 BODY
TRIM 420AG 900GG PAINT

Using this ELC decoder (http://www.stl-vettes.com/65Vette/tr...m_Tag_Main.htm), it only tells me that this ECL was used with option A31 (power windows, which my car does have) and not used with M35 and N01 (which my car does not have).
So, besides tank sheet or window sticker, there's not way to tell for sure what options a car came with out of the factory?

Thanks,
-Matt
No, there is no indication on the trim tag whether a car came with sidepipes (or KO wheels) or not. There are a number of "clues" for the sidepipes, the best of which is whether or not there are any remnants of the rocker molding support brackets welded to the bottom of the birdcage sills; also, if the VIN on a '65 is below 10,000, the car couldn't have had sidepipes. Another "clue" for the KO wheels is which jack instruction sticker is glued to the bottom of the jack cover board (if it's original).
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Old May 11, 2013 | 08:45 PM
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Also for side pipes if you have the originals splash pans if there is weather striping and or staple holes
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Old May 11, 2013 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
Also for side pipes if you have the originals splash pans if there is weather striping and or staple holes
what are splash pans?
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Old May 11, 2013 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
No, there is no indication on the trim tag whether a car came with sidepipes (or KO wheels) or not. There are a number of "clues" for the sidepipes, the best of which is whether or not there are any remnants of the rocker molding support brackets welded to the bottom of the birdcage sills; also, if the VIN on a '65 is below 10,000, the car couldn't have had sidepipes. Another "clue" for the KO wheels is which jack instruction sticker is glued to the bottom of the jack cover board (if it's original).
VIN is xxx12820, so it "qualifies" for side pipes. Are you referring to the support brackets for the rear tail pipes?? (if car came with them and not the side pipes).

Thanks
Matt
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Old May 11, 2013 | 09:56 PM
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Splash pans are the stamped sheet metal pans that bolt to the frame and firewall on both sides of the engine compartment. John is referring to the 3 brackets on the rocker channel on each sides that hold on the rocker moldings on non side pipe cars
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Old May 12, 2013 | 06:21 PM
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Also most people that just add sidepipes cut off the factory rocker molding brackets flush with the fiberglass, the factory sidepipe cars had no brackets at all, look above the pipes if there is any of the bracket up there if no bracket that is also a good sign, but someone could cut them all the way off in a frame off restoration.
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Old May 12, 2013 | 07:03 PM
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The bottom of the birdcage sills on each side should look like the photo below, with no welded rocker molding bracket remnants, bent, broken or cut-off pieces, as there were never any support brackets on a sidepipe car. Beyond that, there are the sill flange notches, also unique to sidepipe cars, which are virtually impossible to duplicate. Second photo below shows a pair of sidepipe car splash shields, with no rubber seals and no staple holes.
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