Ok, before I get started posting pics of my project I need to put forth a disclaimer. First, I got started into this project with no intent on building/restoring a 63' split window coupe. It was just going to be a fun 63' hot rod. Slap the body onto a homemade chassis, throw a crate motor and maybe a Muncie M22 rock crusher 4 speed. Wrap it with some fat 60's and go collect some speeding tickets. Well, that was fifteen years ago, and now the project is starting to resemble a Corvette. At least my friends come over and can make out that it actually is a car.

Keep in mind, I had only the basics of hand tools and no previous experience building/restoring a classic car. I couldn't tell the difference between a Corvette part from a Buick or Ford, or Toyota. And to top it all off I had almost no money to speak of and had no idea what these parts would end up costing. So, I started off acquiring parts piece by piece and taking them home and scrubbing them clean with an old toothbrush and gasoline in a plastic tub. Parts Cleaner, who had money for that? Sand Blast cabinet....I'm not opening a machine shop. Nope, I had my toothbrush and my $6 socket set and I was going to build a car.

And as you'll see, I was making mistakes left and right. I did learn never to tell a parts seller tat the swap meet what you are working on. Never ever ask the guy, "Hey is that part off of a 63 Corvette?". The answer is always yes. Only to get it home and find out it's actually the bulge pump off a jet ski or something.

So I'll post a few photos and you can yell and scream all you want that I've bastardized a classic. But remember I got this thing out of a guys back yard and had to dig out the weeds that where growing through the floorboard. So I think whatever it looks like in the end is ok.



Missing firewall, no frame, engine, suspension, seats, doors gutted, no electrical, no radiator, inner fenders, no gas tank, no.....well it was just a piece of fiberglass.

 

Body up on a tall dolly, Work begins.

 

Notice that the split had been cut out sometime ago. Somebody wanted a 64'. Hmmmmm that's not going to be an easy fix.

 

 

There is not enough of a split window left to build , Why dont you just build a mutant out of it and have fun with it. The only thing left of a 63 I am building is the rear windows the rest is all 6http://forums.corvetteforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47686643&stc =1&d=13240017897.

 

Man do I agree. Its your car! So enjoy it. There is another guy that has put a bunch of pieces together and has a 67 Split window if memory serves me correctly. Search the forum, he is doing a huge job like yourself.
Watch the "Salvage section of eBay". There was entire body including front clip that was 63 for $2500. There was also the entire rear window/top of a 63 vette cut out with a sabersaw on ebay.

Here is the link I use http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_...:MEFSRCHX:SRCH
Lots of work but have a good time, that is what its all about.

 

Hey Paulywannafly,
Some of the parts on my project came from your cars!

These photos are the old ones Late 97'-98'. And there were about 9 years that it just sat. you know how life gets in the way. But I've made a stronge commitment to getting it all together. Still don't know what i'm doing, but, I will get it together.

 

Here I am stripping off some of that jazziy 70's glitter flake paint.

 

you go man build it the way you want it and have a blast . I still have more parts if you need them

 

Homemade paint booth from PVC water pipe and plastic wrap About $40. Then recycled it into a book shelf

 

Do it like you like but more pic,s down the road...

 

Just like Nike - Just Do It! Looking good.

 

So, I remember once i ran into a wrecking yard that specialized in just Corvettes. He had twenty or so cars just sitting there. It was one of those pick and pull places where you just wrench off whatever you need and pay the guy.

All I knew then was that I needed the rear crossmember that supports the differential. So, that's what I took. Called the guy back up about a year later and he sold all those cars and was no longer dealling with Corvettes. Had no clue that that was the oportunity of a lifetime.

Eventually I got my hands on the AIM and it was like, Wow! Since then I've studied the AIM along with Nolen Adam's book. Go to car shows and study the cars. I guess part of the fun is the hunt for the missing parts. Then figuring out how does it go on.

 

Ever since I started this project there has always been the battle over an NCRS show car and a daily driver or custom. And I think there is room for both. Obviously, having put in so much of my own time and sweat and $$$ into this project, I can appreciate both.

When you see that immaculately restored mid year with the perfect lines with all the parts correct including the little clamp that holds the heater hose in place clocked at the exact angle with the crayon marks and the little inspected by stickers on it. Well, you know the owner put a lot of effort to get it that perfect.

But, to me the more interesting cars, the ones you really want to stop and look at are the customs. Sometimes it to stop and ask "What-the...?" or to tilt you head at it and say "hmmm...Ok". But they are more fun to look at.

It seams to me that Corvettes are the most modified cars out there. I guess because anyone handy enough with fiberglass could go to town on them. That's what makes these cars so special.

 

Congrats on Corvette ownership you have a desireable year of Corvette
The world has plenty of over restored cars out there. Don't sweat it. I have met more than a couple vette owners who wished they had not over restored their vette. So do what u want and enjoy your Vette.

 

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...rear-1963.html

The problem then becomes the trim. You can find it and it would be worth it. I think if you spent $5000 on the split, it will pay for itself if you want to sell it.

 

I doubt that anyone on here would criticize your plans. I for one am glad you are ressurecting a mid-year out of the weeds. That's a perfect candidate for doing it the way you want. Sometimes I wish my car was less original when I got it. I would have spent alot less time and money to keep it that way. Keep the pictures coming.

 

You hear stories about the 63 splits being cut out and you want to believe that didn't happen very often.

Keep the updates & photos coming. I always love to see an old "mid-year" put back on the roads.

IMHO the sanity of restoration plans come down to 3 things; 1) what you start with, 2) what you want, and 3) how much time/money you're willing to spend. Not all cars are candidates for NCRS restoration. When too many things have been replaced or modified over the decades to make an NCRS restoration practical or affordable, you can use NCRS as a guideline and make them look original so only experts will spot the differences. Or, you can just let go and do a total resto-mod. Personally I love to see a well designed and thought out resto-mod. A SWC with updated interior materials & details, modern creature comforts (like AC & stereo!) and performance improvements are a joy to see and drive.

And have some fun while you do it.



Cheers,
JB

 

Ok,
I have welded up the replacement frame rails on the aft end of my frame.

It should be within 1/4" of where it should be. I had a lot of conflicting measurements. So either there are a lot of variances in everyone's frames or GM just had loose tolerances.

Anyhow, I'm trying to locate where to place the cross member beam that supports the front of the gas tank. I have temporarily placed the beam in and set the tank onto both the Far aft rear cross member and on top of the rear portion of the gas tank support beam. It looks like it will only fit one way, which is good. However, the big variable is how far aft on the rear cross member the gas tank should it sit?

If anyone out there knows how far forward the gas tank support beam should be when measured from the aft cross member, please reply soon. I'll be out there later today finishing up this frame mod today, as soon as get some more welding wire.
Thanks.

 

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