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I am wondering what SWC owners think about the rear visibility of their coupes. I own and drive one and don't find it to be any problem at all. When I was 21 and those cars first came out some folks said the visibility was terrible, but now that I actually drive one I don't see it as any problem. When I bought the car I didn't care if you couldn't see out the back at all, I just liked the way it looked and I was buying it even if I could only drive it forward.
I have owned 5 SWC and the only thing that I didn't like about the car is how hard the ride is. The seats hurt my back, but they look cool and turn heads so I kept buying them. The 5 I owned were all at one time. Looking in the rear view mirror was no big deal. I always look where I am going not where I have been. I no longer have a SWC but I am sure at some point I will get another one.
I've been driving my SWC so long (33 years) that I don't even notice the split. Every car I have driven has a blind spot somewhere. You just get used to working around them.
P.S.
Back during the Viet Nam era, a fighter pilot friend of mine suggested the Air Force build two-seat fighters with the rear seat facing backwards. He wanted to put young men with 20-12 vision in the back seats to look out for attackers. Perhaps we SWC owners should turn the passenger seats around to compensate for the splits.
Last edited by kellsdad; Jul 1, 2011 at 09:33 AM.
Reason: 2nd thought
I had heard that when the 64 came out, that some 63 owners went back to the dealers to get the 63 split window removed and replaced with the new 64 rear window. I do not know how many were done, but it would be interesting to see or hear if anyone has one of these. If so did they get a split back in or have just left them. If only those people had know then, what a 63 original SWC is worth now .
Back in '71, when I got my SWC, the local gendarmes still used the single bubble gum machine on top of their cars. The split did a great job of concealing that light.
When I look in the rear view mirror ......It makes me Smile from ear to ear ! These are special ,unique, one year 10,594 production only.
Never to be seen again. And everyone knows it ,when they see one! Now the 64-67 coupes....... yawn
Total 1963 Corvettes Built - 21,513
Convertibles - 10,919
Coupes - 10,594
I've had this conversation many times while showing our 63. The comment of poor visibility seems to come from the so called experts that also discuss the all steel bodied Corvettes....... Still happy to chat with these folks and the happiest part of course, is ownership!
Back in '71, when I got my SWC, the local gendarmes still used the single bubble gum machine on top of their cars. The split did a great job of concealing that light.
Jim
Originally Posted by leadking
If you can't move your head a few inches to look around the split you shouldn't be on the road. I have no issues with my SWC.
I believe those that removed the split did so to make their car look a year newer.
Originally Posted by DanielJ
I've had this conversation many times while showing our 63. The comment of poor visibility seems to come from the so called experts that also discuss the all steel bodied Corvettes....... Still happy to chat with these folks and the happiest part of course, is ownership!
Hope you all have a great 4th.
the worst visibility was at night and after 3 speeding tickets and 64`s arrived without that trick rear window, a 64 window solved the Police problem....and in addition in 1965 the side skirts, hood, grill and side exhaust was placed on 111202 with the front bumper removed and is in the C-2 registry....Could I be a expert as I knew it was a glass car?....Driving the 63 as a every day car is completely different than those that are looking back to their youth for something they may have missed out on.....and yes upgrading to a later year was also the norm....and they were fast cars when ordered with the right stuff, only second to a 'Hemi.........
I see that the opinions seem to run like mine. Nobody seems agitated by the split in fact the opposite seems more likely. I love the style and the uniqueness and although each midyear has its own advantages and disadvantages the SWC is still my personal favorite. Another thing I've noticed is that although my car is only original on the outside with absolutely nothing else matching monetary the value seems to be amazing. I have two offers of 75000 dollars and both parties have owned all original SWCoupes before. In this particular case they love all the mods and are willing to pay for them. The car is not for sale but I feel good about the value anyway. All in all I am still thrilled about owning one of these.
I am wondering what SWC owners think about the rear visibility of their coupes. I own and drive one and don't find it to be any problem at all. When I was 21 and those cars first came out some folks said the visibility was terrible, but now that I actually drive one I don't see it as any problem. When I bought the car I didn't care if you couldn't see out the back at all, I just liked the way it looked and I was buying it even if I could only drive it forward.
It's AWFUL!!! Still, I do RACE mine in Vintage whenever possible
It is essential to have 360 vision on the racetrack to provide "situational awareness". I use a "WINK" mirror to provide that.
Last edited by 63Corvette; Jul 2, 2011 at 07:22 PM.
Split window visibility
I prefer the 65-67s, but like them all!
