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Any of you Niagara guys know about this 63 SWC ROTTING in NOTL?
Did a fantastic "eco-touring" cruise last weekend in Cadillac's electric ELR. Oktoberfest, Lake Huron, back roads to London, then all over Niagara, all part of Sun Country Highway's eMazing Race challenge where we get points for visiting their many EV charging stations.
While driving Niagara-on-the-Lake I noticed (parked on a front lawn on Wesley Ave) what looked like a mid-year under a tarp:
Doing my best not to let curiosity overwhelm respect for other's property, a closer look I can see it's a 63 Split Window Coupe. Yep, one of the most iconic and valued production Corvettes.
Didn't disturb the tarp, but Sebring Silver body looks fairly intact, and through the worn-through part I can see the interior doesn't look too bad.
if the historic plates on it are real it hasn't been legally tagged for over 7 years, and considering how it's now sunk chassis deep into the dirt, it's spent a lot of those 7 years right here. I can't imagine the birdcage would be too strong.
It's hardly in an out-of-the way spot, so I imagine the property and/or car owner has received many offers. Maybe he thinks it's still worth $100K, or more ? In restored condition it could probably pull $90K today, but it could take $70K to bring it up to that state. On a new frame, could be a decent resto-mod candidate, but that would easily bring the resto cost over $100K.
Such a shame to see it like this.
Anyone know the person and/or story here?
Hi Paul, don't venture into this area of the forum much anymore but as "M" said above nice find. The house looks to be in the same sort of condition as that SWC. Sad but lots of these found during the late 70's and '80's. You're right about it requiring big$$ in order to bring it back. What was the condition of the fibreglass and glass? Would imagine the interior, engine bay etc to be a mess as well.
Hope you had a great vetting season, I swapped in a ZZ383 this summer and crated the #'s engine. We've done 3 or 4 vintage vette cruises since August. Next fall will be taking the vette down through the various southern roads incl TOTD, Skyway, BR and Cherohala. Promised a few ppl we'd join in their vette club runs in SC and NC along the way. A retired friend will be in the passenger seats with our wives flying to Charleston, Savannah and Nashville and maybe NO to join us. Some more work to do next spring and summer then paint (wrap maybe) upon return.
I may be joing up with the boys on their 50th farewell tour, won't be at the To concerts but NJ and NY will happen.
Hope you and Jenny are still enjoying life to its max. I always enjoy reading your posts.
I may be joing up with the boys on their 50th farewell tour
What did I miss Paul et al, is there going to be an event for our '65's next year? That ' 63 would definetly be worth looking into, hope someone locally can get the lowdown on it.
What did I miss Paul et al, is there going to be an event for our '65's next year? That ' 63 would definetly be worth looking into, hope someone locally can get the lowdown on it.
"The boys" that Greg's referring to would be "The Who" that, like the Stones refuse to go away quietly (thankfullly!)
Is there going to be an event next year? I sure as heck hope so!
It won't be 'til September that my car and I turn 50, but I've been working hard at my project list to have everything DONE to enjoy our 50th year playing a lot more than working! 44 weekends to go
Well you guys missed another great deal. Last owner finally caved after a polite reasonable offer and cut it loose. Some air in tires, fresh gas in the tank and some serious talented cleaning, it's almost ready to go down the road again. Lots of original stuff and a great start for its next life.
Doing my best not to let curiosity overwhelm respect for other's property, a closer look I can see it's a 63 Split Window Coupe. Yep, one of the most iconic and valued production Corvettes.
Didn't disturb the tarp, but Sebring Silver body looks fairly intact, and through the worn-through part I can see the interior doesn't look too bad.
if the historic plates on it are real it hasn't been legally tagged for over 7 years, and considering how it's now sunk chassis deep into the dirt, it's spent a lot of those 7 years right here. I can't imagine the birdcage would be too strong.
It's hardly in an out-of-the way spot, so I imagine the property and/or car owner has received many offers. Maybe he thinks it's still worth $100K, or more ? In restored condition it could probably pull $90K today, but it could take $70K to bring it up to that state. On a new frame, could be a decent resto-mod candidate, but that would easily bring the resto cost over $100K.
Such a shame to see it like this.
Anyone know the person and/or story here?[/QUOTE]
Last edited by Tom Spence; 11-20-2015 at 11:40 PM.
Glad to see you rescued it. I hope to see it on the Niagara Parkway sometime doing a cruise. Don't forget to post pictures of your restoration process to. That's always nice to read and learn. Good luck.
Well you guys missed another great deal. Last owner finally caved after a polite reasonable offer and cut it loose. Some air in tires, fresh gas in the tank and some serious talented cleaning, it's almost ready to go down the road again. Lots of original stuff and a great start for its next life.
Doing my best not to let curiosity overwhelm respect for other's property, a closer look I can see it's a 63 Split Window Coupe. Yep, one of the most iconic and valued production Corvettes.
Didn't disturb the tarp, but Sebring Silver body looks fairly intact, and through the worn-through part I can see the interior doesn't look too bad.
if the historic plates on it are real it hasn't been legally tagged for over 7 years, and considering how it's now sunk chassis deep into the dirt, it's spent a lot of those 7 years right here. I can't imagine the birdcage would be too strong.
It's hardly in an out-of-the way spot, so I imagine the property and/or car owner has received many offers. Maybe he thinks it's still worth $100K, or more ? In restored condition it could probably pull $90K today, but it could take $70K to bring it up to that state. On a new frame, could be a decent resto-mod candidate, but that would easily bring the resto cost over $100K.
Such a shame to see it like this.
Anyone know the person and/or story here?
Wow Tom,
Certainly cleaned up nice! Congratulations on the rescue of this '63.
FWIW I was never in a position to make an offer myself. Just seemed so odd to find a car like this just tarped and sinking into open ground. From my quick underbody shots you've got some work ahead. Rust never sleeps, it creeps! I hope you keep us posted on your progress with it, and look forward to seeing you out enjoying this 63 on the road ahead.
So what was the story on the previous owner? Was he hoping to someday restore it, or just waiting for the right offer?
This car is not mine. I was asked to give it a good look over. It is currently waiting for another car to be finished before deciding what direction it will take. Driver, survivor, resto mod or potential full blown NCRS restoration. Current owner has lots of resources and some tough decisions to make. This car deserves to be lightly tweaked, have some incorrect parts replaced with REAL ones and brought out for judging where the real cars are more appreciated IMHO. but I'm just an old Corvette guy stuck in the 60's.
This car is not mine. I was asked to give it a good look over. It is currently waiting for another car to be finished before deciding what direction it will take. Driver, survivor, resto mod or potential full blown NCRS restoration. Current owner has lots of resources and some tough decisions to make. This car deserves to be lightly tweaked, have some incorrect parts replaced with REAL ones and brought out for judging where the real cars are more appreciated IMHO. but I'm just an old Corvette guy stuck in the 60's.
Great thing about these modern times is there are so many options available for any owner to do anything he/she wants.
So what's the story on the previous owner? I'm glad to see it's not spending another year in the dirt, which seemed so odd. Did he have sentimental history with it or was he just hanging on until it could sell for big bux?
Great thing about these modern times is there are so many options available for any owner to do anything he/she wants.
So what's the story on the previous owner? I'm glad to see it's not spending another year in the dirt, which seemed so odd. Did he have sentimental history with it or was he just hanging on until it could sell for big bux?
I was over yesterday checking on my car & seen the 63. It is really starting to come around. Virtually no signs of any surface rust from sitting. Starts and runs fabulous. Some seat repairs made, carpets even thought tattered, now redyed look clean and 50 years old. PATINA...that's what it's called these days....all chemicals. Got an AFB with a glass bowl filter and steel pipe lined up to replace the incorrect Holley carb with chrome dual feed gas line (ugly) and new wires to replace the blue MSD stuff. I'm all over this as I used to have Vin # 10,803 that just got pulled out of a building in Grimsby sitting since the early 80's. See neat thread on the DB (for you NCRS watchers) titled: 63 Barn Find and new to ncrs by Don Hutcheson.
So anyways the former owner had some issues...medical, physical, social logical etc had to move in with relatives, couldn't restore the car as dreamed about many years ago, then lost the list with names and $$$ offers on it. TIMING. One person, one day. Done. Grand Sport Sam told me about this car at least 3-4 years ago but i never seen it in real until my 1st reply here. That's all I can say for the time being as project moves slowly forward.
Last edited by Tom Spence; 11-29-2015 at 09:51 AM.
Reason: Add photo taken Nov.20th-2015
10-24-2014, 09:33 AM
Any of you Niagara guys know about this 63 SWC ROTTING in NOTL?
? In restored condition it could probably pull $90K today, but it could take $70K to bring it up to that state. On a new frame, could be a decent resto-mod candidate, but that would easily bring the resto cost over $100K. 
