Split Window: Excellent/Original/Unrestored
02-17-2016, 01:43 PM
#1
Split Window: Excellent/Original/Unrestored
Everyone,
New to the forum...earlier today I posted a response about split window coupes and it was recommended I create a new thread for mine..so here 'goes!
I am not necessarily a Corvette guy...but I know a great car when I see one. Here's the scoop:
Attached is a SWC I found two years ago. Initially I thought there was no way I could afford this car. But you know what happens when we watch Barrett Jackson! Anyway, the more educated I became, the more I realized this was a car worth a chunk of my 401k (yes, I did that!).
Anyway, here is what I know: the car has never been painted. The photo does no justice to the patina of the car. I won't dare wax this one.
It is a 300hp 4speed car...original bill of sale and owners manual were in glove box. I have the original hubcaps. This was bought at a car auction in 1970/71. Can you imagine?! This was an '8 year old used car'!
Previous owner told me the driver seat was reupholstered. The driver side rear window was replaced. Oddly, the tach needle is missing.
Everything works...headlights are lazy to rotate, but I can address that later. After I took ownership, I replaced the radiator with a date stamped replacement and I put bias ply tires on it...if the paint is original, I say keep it 'old school'.
Not fishing for compliments, but just wanted to share this time capsule. It sure makes me feel like a kid when I get in it...
Wanted to share that I didn't plan it this way, but I also have another 1963: a Studebaker Hawk GT. Love to park them side-by-side at car shows.
New to the forum...earlier today I posted a response about split window coupes and it was recommended I create a new thread for mine..so here 'goes!
I am not necessarily a Corvette guy...but I know a great car when I see one. Here's the scoop:
Attached is a SWC I found two years ago. Initially I thought there was no way I could afford this car. But you know what happens when we watch Barrett Jackson! Anyway, the more educated I became, the more I realized this was a car worth a chunk of my 401k (yes, I did that!).
Anyway, here is what I know: the car has never been painted. The photo does no justice to the patina of the car. I won't dare wax this one.
It is a 300hp 4speed car...original bill of sale and owners manual were in glove box. I have the original hubcaps. This was bought at a car auction in 1970/71. Can you imagine?! This was an '8 year old used car'!
Previous owner told me the driver seat was reupholstered. The driver side rear window was replaced. Oddly, the tach needle is missing.
Everything works...headlights are lazy to rotate, but I can address that later. After I took ownership, I replaced the radiator with a date stamped replacement and I put bias ply tires on it...if the paint is original, I say keep it 'old school'.
Not fishing for compliments, but just wanted to share this time capsule. It sure makes me feel like a kid when I get in it...
Wanted to share that I didn't plan it this way, but I also have another 1963: a Studebaker Hawk GT. Love to park them side-by-side at car shows.
02-17-2016, 03:17 PM
#3
Safety Car
Awesome!
That saddle tan is one of the most under-rated C2 colors... really neat!
Don't tease us though... MORE PICS!!!!
and Congrats!
Another member of the "Class of 2016"?
That saddle tan is one of the most under-rated C2 colors... really neat!
Don't tease us though... MORE PICS!!!!
and Congrats!
Another member of the "Class of 2016"?
02-17-2016, 03:34 PM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Close to DC
Posts: 14,541
Received 2,127 Likes
on
1,466 Posts
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
I think you did real well. Beautiful car. Since it makes you feel good, drive it often. They love that and I'm sure you understand. 
Dennis
Dennis
The following users liked this post:
Wow57pro (02-17-2016)
02-17-2016, 04:15 PM
#5
Team Owner
Great car. Wouldn't have tapped a retirement fund for it though.
02-17-2016, 04:43 PM
#7
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado Springs Colorado
Posts: 3,086
Received 1,946 Likes
on
704 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I agree that is a great looking car and I also like saddle tan, however I'm not sure I would have dipped into my 401k to buy a car, even this one.
02-17-2016, 04:55 PM
#8
Enjoy while you can.
Member Since: May 2008
Location: 10th District Court OHIO
Posts: 17,167
Received 2,684 Likes
on
1,272 Posts
Ohio Events Coordinator
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Welcome to the midyear club 
02-17-2016, 07:26 PM
#10
Drifting
Member Since: Jul 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,273
Received 423 Likes
on
249 Posts
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared))
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (track prepared)
What a great '63! Glad to hear you're going to leave it alone. How long have you had it? 2 years?
I'll bet it's a lot more fun than that 401K... which probably needed some trimming anyway. Nobody lives forever.
I'll bet it's a lot more fun than that 401K... which probably needed some trimming anyway. Nobody lives forever.
02-17-2016, 08:55 PM
#11
If its Lacquer paint why cant you buff it out ,My first 63 was lacquer
and it looked great after buffing. Just asking Nice car it will increase in valve.
and it looked great after buffing. Just asking Nice car it will increase in valve.
02-17-2016, 10:17 PM
#13
Racer
BTW, I have 5 more vehicles insured on this policy and the total premium is less than $1200 per year, including towing, etc.
02-17-2016, 11:37 PM
#15
Turn 12!
Congratulations. More pics please.
02-18-2016, 04:27 AM
#16
Team Owner
Before you rip into those 'lazy' headlights, make sure they aren't just operating the way they are supposed to. 5-7 seconds for them to open and close (and they're most likely not synchronized) is not unusual. As to the tach needle missing, now that is a bit of a sticky wicket. That's a dash pull and you'll have to decide when (and if) to do it. Lots of info here on that. Personally, It'd drive me nuts.
Do some research and find out how best to condition that lacquer paint...not protecting it is the worst thing you could do. The stuff will show its age quickly if you start driving the car much....
Do some research and find out how best to condition that lacquer paint...not protecting it is the worst thing you could do. The stuff will show its age quickly if you start driving the car much....
02-18-2016, 08:05 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: The Golden Triangle, Florida
Posts: 6,200
Received 1,581 Likes
on
818 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
You might want to contact Adam Boca at the National Corvette Museum about your insurance. He's a vendor here on this forum and can help you out determining an insured value. He insured my '67 L79 convertible with a $500 deductible, agreed value $82K policy for $350 a year. Their customer service can't be beat. "Agreed value" is the key term. That's what you want.
Enjoy your ride.
Steve