<VV> Suspension option for '64? Was: Heavy duty suspension?

Tue May 13 19:44:03 EDT 2014

Sorry, Boss, but that's not the reason.  It is true that the early 4-speed's longer length required cutting a notch out of the rear crossmember, but that work was done by Chevrolet, not Fisher. 

Yes, there is are different Fisher codes for Powerglide and 4-speed, the PG code, as I stated earlier, told Fisher NOT to cut a hole in the front carpet for the shifter. 

Fisher was responsible for the unibody and the interior, but not the suspension - Fisher shipped the body with the rear carpet installed but the front just rolled up and placed on the seats, as Chevrolet still had to install the floor pedals, control cables, shifter, etc. But it was Fisher's responsibility to cut the hole in the front carpet if there was going to be a floor shifter installed by Chevrolet, so they needed the PG code to tell them NOT to do that. 

But WHAT is different about the body between a 3-speed (standard - no code) and a 4-speed (fisher option code?

At one point I thought it might be the backup light wire, but nope, that was also installed by Chevy. 

How do we know what Chevy installed and what Fisher installed?  Simple - check the assembly manuals.  These were CHEVY assembly manuals, so unless it says in the manual that the job was released to Fisher, it was done by Chevy. 

A good example of how this works is the Fisher option code for rear antenna in 1964. You might think it was there to tell Fisher to drill a hole in the rear fender and not in the front fender, but nope, Chevy drilled those holes and installed the antennas. The reason is the rear speaker wire had to be routed under the rear carpet, seat, and trim panel (cardboard) and since those were installed by Fisher, Chevy released installation of that wire to Fisher - and that's why Fisher has the option code. 

Another example - option code for custom and convenience group (day/night mirror, glove box light, driver's side door mirror) - all this pieces were installed by Chevrolet, so why did Fisher need a code?  It turns out that they installed a reinforcement panel in the door for the outside mirror - that's right - if you added a mirror later the screws just bite into the door skin, but if it was a factory option there is an additional sheet of steel under the door skin. 

But I digress.  WHY did Fisher need to know the difference between a 3-speed and 4-speed?

Bill Hubbell

On May 13, 2014, at 6:54 PM, "BBRT" <chsadek at comcast.net> wrote:

I opine that is becasue the front of the transmission "cross mount" is different for 3 or 4 spds..  Is there a different Fisher code for PG?

Chuck S
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hubbell via VirtualVairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
To: "Bryan Blackwell" <bryan at skiblack.com>
Cc: "Virtual Vairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; <wrsssatty at aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 2:42 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Suspension option for '64? Was: Heavy duty suspension?

> What Byran says is correct, and we have figured out a reason for almost every accessory code, for instance, the Fisher code for Powerglide told them not to cut a hole in the front carpet for the shifter.
> 
> However, given that the standard transmission was a 3-speed, I have never been able to figure out why there is a Fisher Body accessory code for the optional 4-speed transmission.  I remain open to suggestions
> 
> Bill Hubbell
> President, Stock Corvair Group
> 
> On May 13, 2014, at 1:23 PM, Bryan Blackwell via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Bill,
> 
> Those Fisher body tag option codes only apply if something needed to be done to the body - a hole cut, for example.  A well known one is the turbo cars have an accessory code since they had the exhaust cutout.  Fisher also installed the glass, so tinted glass has a code.  I can't think of anything on the body that is required for the HD suspension in any year. I'm pretty sure you'd need the original window sticker or Chevy broadcast sheet to know if the car came with the HD suspension.
> 
> --Bryan
> 
>> On May 13, 2014, at 12:52 PM, wrsssatty--- via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:
>> 
>> The sales brochure for '64 passenger cars lists, under "Corvair Options and Custom Features", "Special suspension is available for all models; includes special front and rear springs and shock absorbers."  Tony Fiore on page 64 (appropriately!) of "The Corvair Decade" wrote; "the extra cost special suspension option now [model year 1964] consisted of specially calibrated coil springs and heavy-duty shock absorbers."
>> I would imagine that the 4th line on the Body Identification Tag (not the VIN plate) would indicate an accessory & option code if the vehicle in question were so equipped from the factory.  However, to the best of my knowledge "the Corvair Junkyard Primer" does not have these codes and I don't believe that larry claypool covered any accessory and option codes in his "Stock Is..." series in the communique for any model year other than '63 and '66.  Someone please correct me if I am mistaken.
>> 
>> 
>> ~Bill Stanley
> 
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