I found a real rough 63 split window.

Some help from the C2 experts would be helpful, C3 guy here, sticking his nose where it most likely should not be.

I spotted this Vette yesterday, it is out side and not covered, in Pennsylvania. The paint is stripped off, the front clip and hood are on but rough. The drivers door has a hole in the door skin. All the glass is out except the rear split windows. The outside chrome etc. has been removed. The interior is completly out of the car, engine, trans and rear are in it, as is the suspension. (don't know if numbers match) The floor pans appear solid, I did see surface rust on the winshield frame.

Questions

(1) Where do 63's rust, ie frame etc?
(2) Can most parts gotten to restore it?
(3) I know this a is a tough one with out pictures or more detail on the parts that have been removed but. Can anyone give me a ball park figure on what this would be worth? Again guys, it is real rough!

Thanks
(2)

 

Just going from what you have said I would say about $18k and you need to check out the bird cage and pillers for rust. Also try to look at the frame. If it has been setting out for a long time not coveres up there may be big rust problums. I have a 63 SWC and parts for them are not cheap as well as hard to find sometimes. But if you are going to restore it and you do most all the work yourself and go slow as the $$$ come, it may take a while but it will be worth it.

 

63s seem to present the most expensive issues when it comes to all the little misc parts that would likely be gone from the one you are looking at - trim pices, etc. The project might be fun, but know that getting it back to "all together, with the right 63 parts" will involve more $$ than you might think at first. If it's the journey you want, great, buy one really rough, but if its the nice looking all done 63 you want, it might be cheeper to buy one that all done.

end of my two cents . . .

 

Rear windows still in, good. Rear window trim missing? BAD ! ! ! $ $ $ $ $

C2's rot in the bird cage as well as the frame. With all windows out moisture has had access to everything in the front and side areas of the birdcage that goes bad. Good part is that moisture was not trapped there and could evaporate.

Check the B Pillars (door rear) closely for rot out where the body rolls out from the roofline to the outside. Coupes rot horribly there.

Everything you need to put a C2 coupe back together is available mechanically but, as previously mentioned, 63's have a lot of one year only parts and if you are looking for originality you should probably pass on this one unless the owner has everything that has been removed from the car stored in a different location and can make it available to you.

Rich

 

if you decide not to pursue, I am looking for a 63 SWC for a resto rod....so frame not important to me...nor is matching numbers anything...

email me at htmiata99@aol.com if you don't pursue...thanks, Herb

 

I just completed the restoration of a 63 SWC. This was my third restoration and the hardest of all. The 63 was the first of the C-2 generation and there were numerous production changes through out the model year. If your intent is to create a good driver, the restoration process would be much easier.

Rust: I would first check the entire 63 metal parts for rust. Signs of rust (fan shroud, steering linkage, exct.) would cause me to inspect everything real close. The lack of rust would ease my mind just a little, but don't get fooled.

Look at the roof line where it meets the windshield trim. I have seen numerous coups that have a fiberglass roof pucker at this point and it is most likely bird-cage rust.

I would lift the doors to see if there is travel at the hinge point. Determine is the play is in the hinge or rust where the hinge secures to the bird-cage.

Use a good light and check for rust behind the dash. If you can spot some rust, most likely there is more that you can not see.

Remove the interior windshield pillar and header trim to inspect the cage.

Check the drip rails and catch pillar for rust or plastic repair.

Check the frame. Kick-ups first and then progress from there. If there is rust at the kick-ups or at the end of the main frame rails chances are there will be additional frame rust through out the frame.

The 63 I restored had frame repair that was camouflage very well. The frame looked like Swiss-Cheese after sand blasting. Check for repairs very closely.

I replaced the frame with a replacement frame from Vette Products of Michigan and repaired the bird-cage:
Pictures of the restoration at:

http://rayscorvette.com/favorite.htm
Ray

 

I think the frame is way less of a problem now than it used to be. Replacement frames are easy to find and easy to replace.

It IS the birdcage that you need to worry about. Ask the owner what parts he has squirreled away. I know if someone were to see my 63 convertible right now they might not be impressed as it is all apart and missing its front end. However, I have over $20,000 of original parts including the fuel injection system put up in boxes and in storage.

In the case of this coupe, make sure he has the rear window moldings and if there's no major birdcage rust then grab it.

I know everyone wants a '67 but there are a lot of us that like the '63s best of all.

Post pictures if you can.

 

I was in Corvette Corner last week and Brian had two split window chrome trim center pieces hanging on the wall!

 

Check out this thread for bird cage rust
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1427645

 

As above, birdcage a bigger problem.

As fgar as frames go, just like a C3:

They rust here - at the kickup/rear corners:



and here - front frame horns:



and the rear crossmembers:



Not to mention from the inside out:



But with the frame off, are not that hard to repair: