auto appraiser Jason Phillips was asked “when did the 396 engine get introduced? Most people believe that it was 1966 for the SS Chevelle’s, but that’s because you rarely see or hear about the 1965’s. In 1965, you could order an SS with a six cylinder! However, early in the year, Chevrolet introduced the mark IV 396 big block, but only put it into 201 heavily optioned “A” bodies. These were all well equipped cars, called the “Z16″ Malibu. If you find one, It’s a rarer than rare treat!

Technorati Tags: chevelle, chevrolet, muscle car, SS

From auto appraiser Jason Phillips- Now here’s a repair that will not only set you back $2500, but will mildew your carpets and rot out your floor pans as well if you’re not careful. It’s not an easy fix, primarily due to location. It’s hard to see, because you cannot remove the cowl screen and look inside. The best way for a quick check is to dump in a cup of water, through the cowl screen, and go look inside at the kick panels. If water begins running down, onto the floor, then, by golly you’ve got it!!

Technorati Tags: mustang, repair, technical

As an auto appraiser, I’ve been asked some funny questions. However, when asked by a seller after he read on of my reports, “what’s wrong with having plastic in my door corners?” …I replied, “why, nothing, if you have an Avanti!” Humor is everything in life. He didn’t think it was funny….he had a Nova.

I knew when I was walking up the driveway on this last auto appraisal that there was going to be drivability issues. The left rear tire had some major negative camber issues. This is spotted easiest by kneeling down behind the car from 20 feet away, and looking at the tilt of the rear tires. It can be adjusted some, by rotating the cam washer, or replacing the non-adjustable lower torsion arms with aftermarket adjustable ones. The car had all original bonding strips in place, and a very good original un-hit frame. The dog leg caps had some rust, but nothing structural to be concerned about. On the high side, it had a tank sticker, both tops, and was a numbers matching big block 427 car, with the original muncie and original rear end. The rest of the suspension had been rebuilt, which was nice. It ran surprisingly well, and had really nice paint, for a 20 year old respray. It’s still for sale, the guy want’s $25,000. Contact us if you are interested in this car. 800-301-3886

Technorati Tags: 427, big block, corvette, for sale, numbers matching

Certified auto appraiser Jason Phillips has recently inspected both a 66 and 67 GTO. The post December 1966 build date for 67 models makes it a whole lot easier on verification of engines. Pontiac Motor Division began Stamping VIN’s on the motor in Mid December, 1966. If you have the still original block in a 1967, then it SHOULD be stamped next to the timing chain cover, just beyond the lower radiator hose inlet. The stamp is vertical, and often up higher on the pad. This 67 was clearly marked. The seller had the PHS documentation, even better. If you’re a buyer, and he/she does not have PHS, be sure to order it. Jim at Pontiac Historical Services can fax you back the essentials on a car history in about a day’s time. It’s well worth the money he charges to have this in hand. There you’ll find the engine unit number on the car’s billing history to match up against the right front engine stamp. This was especially useful on the 66 I did, as there was no vin stamp on the 66’s. The PHS will also provide other build history on the car. I have 265 inspectors at work nationwide, and I never send one out to do a Pontiac inspection before I order my PHS on line. The 66 turned out to be very nice, but not a matching car. It’s still for sale if you’re looking for one.

Technorati Tags: 1966, 1967, GTO, numbers matching, Pontisac

So many people ask me when I’m conducting an auto appraisal if I can confirm the “matching numbers” on the motor and transmission. When selling, seller’s often refer to their cars as numbers matching, but only because most of them cannot be confirmed on sight. FE blocks (12 versions in all) for the most part were not vin stamped, unlike GM cars and Mopar’s. Casting dates is about all you’re going to end up with off the engines. During an on site inspection, these are not possible to see on a small block, unless you brought your tool box! Some dis assembly IS required.

Technorati Tags: ford, mustang, numbers matching

auto appraiser Jason Phillips notes that Mustang’s were built in 3 plants in the USA. San Jose built cars were the only ones that no buck tags were utilized. That leaves Metuchen built and Dearborn produced cars. Tags were used from 1964-1968. The Metuchen tags, at least through 1967, had wavy edges, whereas the Dearborn produced cars had flat, rectangular tags with 90 degree edges. The little holes you see punched in both versions were put there by assembly workers. These punches indicate that workers acknowledge their instructions on what that particular car was to receive. Punch holes had different shapes and symbols, based on what was being confirmed on the order.

As a classic auto appraiser, I often get questions about Mustang engine sizes, and how it affects their values. Replacement data plates are readily available, so door tags (warranty plates) aren’t always the best source to confirm information. During an auto appraisal, I first confirm the inner apron stamp to the vin on the data tag. This vin is factory stamped in the upper rail, under the hood, and can be viewed on the left side only, through the rectangular fender cut out, which is ONLY on the left side. This same vin stamp exists on the right side, but the factory never cut out access for it to be viewed. Production began in March of 1964. The earliest 260 cubic inch engines were referred to as “D” codes. In 1965, the 260 was upgraded to a 289. Then, people readily identify them as “C” codes or “A” codes, meaning automatic’s vs. 4 speeds. The highly sought after “K” codes were also available, in which the “K” denoted hi-performance 289. “C” code cars were highest in production numbers, and are the least valuable Stang in the family. The “K” codes are the rarest and the most sought after, and are certainly the “trump card” of the deck.

During an auto appraisal, it’s difficult to assess on site whether or not the mid frame rails traveling through the body center are very solid. The problem is that they recess into a cavity along the floorboard, allowing only visual confirmation of solid floor supports through a narrow, 3/8″ gap between the inner rocker structure and rail itself. Having a mirror on a stick isn’t particularly useful in this case. This is especially important on convertibles, as they tend to be more rusty, due to the top leaks over the years. A long, thin ice pick is your best defense to polk around, IF you can get away with it! The best way of course is to pull back the carpeting from the sills and look from the inside.

Technorati Tags: Buick, frame, inspection, oldsmobile, rusty floors, underbody

As an auto appraiser I’ve been asked many times about the VIN stamp on 1969 Z-28’s. People see the engine assembly info on the motor stamp pad, but see no vin derivative next to it. Most of the vin numbers I’ve verified are on the stamp pad near the oil filter. Knowing which casting number your block has is a big help.

Technorati Tags: auto appraiser, classic car, muscle car