My AIM for the 64 shows side pipes as an option and has complete assembly instructions (I forgot to look at the RPO number, I'll include that later today when I get home). I was pretty sure that side pipes were not offered until 65. I talked to the first owner of my car (which has side pipes installed) and he said that he had the side pipes installed as a dealer option in Jun 1964 (he took delivery in Mar 64). The original rear panel with the exhaust holes is still on the car. The first owner said that the non-hole rear panel was not available for the 64 when he had the pipes installed. This agrees with the 64 AIM as well (the AIM shows no optional rear panel).
So, the question for the experts is... Were side pipes available in late 64 or were these really early production 65's? The install is correct in accordance with the 64 AIM.

 

yes, they were in the AIM, but never available til 65 production. I dont believe they were even available dealer option till 65's were out (probably earliest around august/september 64 if I had to guess) The Noland Adams book indicates it may have actually been later into 65 production before they were actually released.

 

Speaking of sidepipes and rear exhaust holes, I recall seeing several years ago fibergalss inserts to plug the holes and then refinish & Paint. Anyone know where I could get a set? or the best way to fill in the holes.

 

If I decide to erase the holes, I'll get a new panel. I think the end result will be cleaner.

 

Mr.D, I haven't seen any plugs, but depending on your capabilities, you could glass them in yourself. Take the panel off and prep around the hole on the INSIDE FIRST. Use an angle die ginder with a 2" or 3" sanding disc. I like to use a 36-50 grit. Grind about a 2"-2.5" area all the way around the outside of the hole. As you grind from the outside of the 2"area, towards the outside edge of the hole, you want to taper your grind, so as to have the glass at the edge of the hole fairly sharp. "We call this dish grinding" As small as these holes are, you can use masking tape across the exhaust hole on the outside. Use several layers of tape. This will keep your resin and glass from falling through. The reason you are dish grinding around these holes, is to have some depth to lay your glass in, as well as roughing up the area for resin and glass to bite in. I use 1.5oz. fiberglass MAT, as do most shops. Don't use fiberglass cloth, you don't even want this stuff in your garage. Lay in 2-3 layers of glass over these holes extending out just past where you started that 2" grind. Use resin between layers and roll out the air in between layers. Soak up with your brush, ALL EXTRA resin out of these layers after the last one is laid. Let HER KICK (dry/cure). Remove your tape on the ouside and dish grind the outside the same way. Dish grind it enough to get 2 layers of 1.5oz glass and work your resin out the same way as before. By doing a repair like this, you have the new glass flowing or mating with the old glass evenly. There is good strength in this repair when done correctly. You can grind the inside flush as well as the outside. Light filler as required when done. I would suggest buying a premium resin, the stuff at Walmart and Home Depot does not qualify! Fiberglassing is really not that hard, you MUST follow some basic steps for a good and long lasting repair. If you want me to get into a bit more detail on the above, let me know. Now after all that, the last time I checked with Jerry, owner of Corvette Image, the cost of the exhaust panel, (less holes) is $175-$225 + ship. Hope this gives you some insight. Take care, Craig :cheers:

P.S. I like to stick with OEM panels as much as I can, so if your panel is in good shape, KEEP IT. If it is fitting nicely into, what we call the tail light vert. bonding strip, with good gaps, KEEP IT. You will have to finish the new panel as well as the old anyway. Just don't let anybody slap gobs of glass and resin on the inside and fill it with gobs of polyester filler on the outside. Send it to me first, for a proper fix, both inside and out.




[Modified by Cmacsvette, 11:11 PM 9/24/2002]

 

I had heard that some '64's had come through with pipes. A friend of mine worked at a Chevy dealer in the '60's. We got to talking about my '63 with pipes...to make a long story short, he said they didn't come out until '64. I said, no not until '65. Well, his proof was that he saw a '64 unloaded off a car carrier with sidepipes and a hurst shifter. He was positive it was July 1964. I asked how he could be so positive. His reply was "When you are in Camp LeJune in early august, you never forget it." He had seen this car before going into the service. How,why, who knows. I do know that 2 ZL-1 camaros and at least two 427/425 came out of this dealership. Classic

 

"Well, his proof was that he saw a '64 unloaded off a car carrier with sidepipes and a hurst shifter."

This of course is proof of his memory lapse. No Corvette was ever factory equipped with a Hurst shifter. I also don't believe any 64 Corvette was factory equipped with sidepipes and also agree that they probably weren't available on the very early 65's.

 

I agree, but never say never.
Have a look at my friend Bob's car. http://www.67fso.com/
I would not have believed it either,
but both Bobs have been to my home
and this car raced against mine for the Championship in 67.
1st and 2nd yr overall.
Pretty wild from the factory.
As you can see its an FSO, but still!

 

396 RAT, thank you for sharing those pics with us, I found the info quite interesting, stuff I was never aware of.
Craig :cheers:

 

A person does not forget when they went into the service.
He was quite positive about what he saw, especially the shifter. He told me that he originally thought that GM had finally made the shifter an option because their shifters were so crappy. He took interest because he much preferred the hurst units.

The dealership was Ammon R. Smith, the "old reliable". The same dealership that sponsored Dave Strickler, who also happened to test prototype shifters for Hurst.

I believe his account because he has no interest in the "hoopla" concerning these old cars and he isn't the b.s. ing type. Classic

 

I know for a fact that in the mid sixties, Saltz Chevrolet in Salem, MA (no longer in business) sponsored North Shore Corvettes and every memeber that purchased a Vette from them had a Hurst shifter installed free, plus they paid your dues for one year. :cheers: