The elusive Can Am found pics !

[PeteLeathersac]

Bill, that's the one, I'd forgotten it was the pink one. . So it is a 396 in a '64 car....is there any info available on it yet or does anyone have? .

Verne, I have no info myself, only know of the S.O. cars going to GM brass of the era....kind've like getting the key to the executive washroom? . I always loved the look of the 'dome' car and always thought this is where the idea for the '67 SS427 domes came from....don't think I knew it was a 'shaker' before....too cool! . I always wondered about the 396 car being a '64 so if it's coming up at BG, it'll be nice to read any available info on it. . Does anyone know if it's the original engine still with it?

~ Pete

[ANDY M]

Hemmings Muscle Machines April issue has a picture of it in the back, with a little info. The 396 is mated to a powerglide, it has '65 and '66 side vents, and the big block hood. It also has a pink and cranberry custom leather interior with Mrs. Knudsens initials engraved into the seat belt buckles, and it was the first to have 3 tail lights.
It also has every option that could be ordered.

[olredalert]

Pete------Typically, alot of these "SO" cars were production cars that were pulled after being completely built at St.Louis and shipped back to the tech center for modification. There is a 1965 427 roadster here in MI. that has the serial number "5". It came off the assembly line as a black/saddle leather loaded fuelie roadster (must have been gorgeous). It was then made into what I have always felt was the first 427 Corvette and also had a number of other cool special features. Along with the engine conversion they painted it a pale metallic silver green and dyed the original vinyl and leather pieces of the interior to match. They did manage to change the carpet out to a high quality color-matched cut-pile style. Also installed what I always think of as "Bill Mitchell grates" in the footwell area. You may have seen some in the past in other styling cars. They are like polished stainless floormats with slots cut in them. I have never seen a styling car from the Bill Mitchell era without them. I suspect that the pink coupe was done in much the same manner. I would be guessing but it probably started out as a 250 or 300 horse car with AC and auto. All the 65 body panels would make it a high probability that the car was done close to 1965 production.

--------What a dream job it would have been to work on these cars back in the day at the styling studio........Bill S

[PeteLeathersac]

Bill, you're so right about the dream job....pretty special bunch of people there together in a magical period of time. .
Interesting on the '65 427 car #5....more, more on any of these if you have anything to share! .
As I said before, the pink 396 car must predate Z16 production so would be interesting to get into. .
So no one w/ info or pics of the pink 396 car....or a good shot of that 'shaker' dome red car? .
Sorry for totally hi-jacking this thread? ~ Pete

[PeteLeathersac]

Hey check out this link....it's a Mecum ad for the pink '64 396 car coming up at BG! . Notes 396 hydraulic so sounds like L37 like the Z16 and not the L78 as the 'Vette's got in '65....wonder if there's an engine suffix on it? . They also note 'O' parts as in Type 'O' castings....Verne, you out there? . I'll go google-look for the dome car now? ~ Pete

http://www.mecumauction.com/auctions...D=BG0606-34429

[427TJ]

Oh boy, a pink Corvette. Why couldn't Mrs. Knudsen's favorite color be black or red or silver or gold or blue or white or yellow or green or maroon or gray or purple or orange or brown?

[PeteLeathersac]

So true but color aside, an important car in the evolution of Mark 1V production. . Maybe Bunkie chose the color himself....couldn't get the 'pink' off his mind when away from his little woman? .
I can't find anything online for the 'dome' car .
~ Pete

[olredalert]

Pete,

-----Google "Mid America Corvette". Once on their site look for Mikes collection under "My Garage". Then look for 64 Styling Corvette and you will get a better pic of the dome coupe..........Bill S