My addiction

As some of you may have read I'm on the hunt for a 66 BB coupe. I possibly may have found one but now need help with the VIN tag & Trim tag numbers as well as the block number and what ever else I could have them find. The car is located a distance away and I have someone proficient in C2's that will check it over for me provided what you see here passes the smell test!

Critter1

Just my opinion but I would give the stamp pad and characters a failing grade.

tuxnharley

Two things catch my attention and make me wonder about the authenticity of what is shown in those pictures:

1. The Z bar appears to have been recoated/repainted in black. That would not be a factory finish.

2. The broach marks and impressions on the stamp pad appear to be extremely clean and fresh for what is supposed to be a 60 year old original pad.

If it were me I would be very skeptical and cautious about this car. A true expert - more than me - is an absolute requirement to validate this one. Personally I would not buy it without some other documentation of its authenticity.

My addiction

Hmmm! Not necessarily what I wanted to hear but better now than later. Do you think it's a replacement block or period correct or ??

My addiction

Appreciate your comments. I'm trying to gather as much documentation as possible but it is slow in coming (possibly for good reason).

DansYellow66

Are the heads painted on this car or bare? The visible head surfaces above the block stamp in the photo almost look aluminum(?).

A question for you block stamp experts - that block stamp looks too close to the head to have been made after engine assembly. I don't remember ever hearing that the block was stamped prior to heads being installed but possibly I just never read that or have forgotten.

Powershift

Tonawanda motors for the BB Corvettes were stamped before the heads went on. Flint SB motors were different.

JohnZ even had pics of the stamp holder and the stamping procedure. It's in the archives.

Larry

DansYellow66

OK - Good to know.

Thanks

My addiction

here's a picture of the engine bay.....

tuxnharley

Another thought:

A late '66 production VIN like this one (#26112) would not have had the 450 HP sticker. That appears to have been incorrectly added in an attempt to over do the restoration.

65hihp

Here's a 66 BB that looks promising, and priced right. https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/5610722404.html

Powershift

The Trim Tag Paint Code is 988 which is Milano Maroon. The engine shot pic shows a yellow car..................

Lots of other differences from original.............don't know if that matters to you.

Larry

Bruski

Seems to me the trim tag says A-481 Body. It can't be a BB with an A.O.Smith body.....hmmmm...

tuxnharley

It could in 65 or 66. That restriction was only in 67.

1snake

The pad has the typical "belt sander" broach marks.

Mr D.

I'm no expert but that engine pad looks vintage 2015 to me.

Billygold

The Dow Smith body sequence number and date are good for the VIN.

jrm5657

Not sure where the car is priced, but a couple of small items that are incorrect make you wonder how many other things are wrong. Outside of the engine and paint issues others have pointed out, the fiberglass lip around the top surround should not be painted black, it should be body color. Also, the master cylinder is a 67 up replacement. A correct 66 PB master cylinder will set you back a wad of dead presidents.

DansYellow66

Looks like it has 67 type plug wires - which is understandable if it has incorrect aluminum heads on it (no plug shield bolt holes). Pretty much what my car is running - 69 aluminum heads and 67 plug wires.

396/425

Everyone knows me as they guy who hates all this numbers matching crap, but I was once addicted as well and did some judging.....my knee jerk reaction is.....restamp. I could be wrong , but my BS alarms went off when i saw the pad. If you like the car for petes sake if its priced fair go for it.