1963 split window coupes
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,745
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From: nj
C2 registry not even close. No one can challenge any guess unless at the extreme ends of the curve.
then again, what constitutes a 63 coupe that survived the shredder?
then again, what constitutes a 63 coupe that survived the shredder?
Last edited by OC-1; Feb 20, 2016 at 09:50 PM. Reason: ed
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: port richey fl
OC-1 Do you own a 63 coupe now? I bought mine in 63 but as most know things and times change I did find mine about two years ago which is now in Ft Lauderdale it is not original which is normally the case.my post was not intended to find how many out there that were still original thanks for the imput.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
There is a 'sticky' thread (the 2nd one at the top of this web page) where a forum member has been tracking 63s for a long time; I'd bet he prob has as accurate an accounting as anybody if you care to ask your question in that thread...
The C2 registry (and the C1 registry) are only a small percentage of cars existing by all accounts.
There have been some SWAG estimates done on this topic before and out of the 10,000+ coupes built, the 'fun' estimate was about 1/2 are left and driveable and survived the crusher, total damage wrecks, raced to death or Bubba'ed into extinction. There are probably some still driving around that had the rear split chopped out back in the day and I'm not sure how you count those.
Out of that number those still in original trim is probably 1/2 of that maybe ?? All of which is speculation.
The C2 registry (and the C1 registry) are only a small percentage of cars existing by all accounts.
There have been some SWAG estimates done on this topic before and out of the 10,000+ coupes built, the 'fun' estimate was about 1/2 are left and driveable and survived the crusher, total damage wrecks, raced to death or Bubba'ed into extinction. There are probably some still driving around that had the rear split chopped out back in the day and I'm not sure how you count those.
Out of that number those still in original trim is probably 1/2 of that maybe ?? All of which is speculation.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 21, 2016 at 07:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 129
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From: port richey fl
63 splits
There is a 'sticky' thread (the 2nd one at the top of this web page) where a forum member has been tracking 63s for a long time; I'd bet he prob has as accurate an accounting as anybody if you care to ask your question in that thread...
The C2 registry (and the C1 registry) are only a small percentage of cars existing by all accounts.
There have been some SWAG estimates done on this topic before and out of the 10,000+ coupes built, the 'fun' estimate was about 1/2 are left and driveable and survived the crusher, total damage wrecks, raced to death or Bubba'ed into extinction. There are probably some still driving around that had the rear split chopped out back in the day and I'm not sure how you count those.
Out of that number those still in original trim is probably 1/2 of that maybe ?? All of which is speculation.
The C2 registry (and the C1 registry) are only a small percentage of cars existing by all accounts.
There have been some SWAG estimates done on this topic before and out of the 10,000+ coupes built, the 'fun' estimate was about 1/2 are left and driveable and survived the crusher, total damage wrecks, raced to death or Bubba'ed into extinction. There are probably some still driving around that had the rear split chopped out back in the day and I'm not sure how you count those.
Out of that number those still in original trim is probably 1/2 of that maybe ?? All of which is speculation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Belmont Michigan
Rich
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Blairsville , Georgia
That always seems like a pretty good number for whatever reason. I found my SWC in a barn and it had been there for 40 years. So even with the internet and all the resources available, hidden cars will still keep popping up. A lot of owners are either unaware of or chose not to participate in any data gathering info. I also have a '57, and I read with much interest the data that Mike Hunt had gathered on '57s during the '80s and '90s, which was all done without help from the internet. He listed 1523 cars out of the 6339 produced, or a little less than 25% (mine is listed). For a few months last year, as I ran across ads for '57s for sale, I would check to see if the serial number was on his list. For every 2 cars that I found on the list, there would also be one that wasn't. I personally know of 2 '57 owners within 20 miles of me whose cars are not on the list. The number of surviving cars would most likely be higher then, but even a good estimate would be hard to come up with.
Rich
Rich
I would like to have it for a reference.
Thanks
Jay
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
Cut out.
As soon as the 64`s window became available I cut the rear window out......3 speeding tickets prompted a no brainer decision.....You can cry as you like as mine was a Black FI coupe......For those that never drove one as a daily driver It's probably not that important......
Add this one, but in only one category........
Add this one, but in only one category........
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Wolcott CT.
Point is that there are probably a lot more of these cars around than we think.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: port richey fl
63 vettes
As soon as the 64`s window became available I cut the rear window out......3 speeding tickets prompted a no brainer decision.....You can cry as you like as mine was a Black FI coupe......For those that never drove one as a daily driver It's probably not that important......
Add this one, but in only one category........
Add this one, but in only one category........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Sure, some work-a-day guys bought new Corvettes and crafty or lucky kids did too; but Corvettes were expensive and most of them were bought by guys that had or could have a new Cadillac. Guys like those didn't saw out their splits any more than they changed the vinyl roof coverings on their Deville's. And if the Chiropractor blamed the car for the sore neck, he'd trade it in.
The fascination and lore behind the SWC has, I think, little to do with how they were viewed when new and has everything now to do with its exceptionally evocative and pure form, at once animal and machine. Only certain Jaguars are its equal in that regard.
Greatness never comes in quantity, otherwise it wouldn't be great. The SWC is inextricably linked to the American automotive psyche because of its greatness and will one day have AACA classic status bestowed upon it. If they grant that prize to the 59 Impala or Cadillac, I'll have to reconsider my membership.
Dan
Team Owner
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Army
One of the fascinations I have with these cars is the ballsy, corporate maverick approach to its development by Bill Mitchell. Total conviction in the design, an uncanny sense of marketing and the leadership it took to get subordinates involved in a possible career-ending stealth project. And the final product holds its own 1/2 century later.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
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Who the heck uses a back window anyways except to back up. I could give a crap whose behind me! (Unless it's a blonde.) And that little bar ain't gonna hamper that.
Last edited by vette-G17c; Feb 23, 2016 at 08:43 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
I didn't say so at the time but the 2015 Hemmings Concours Delegance featured the Mk IV big block and my 65 L78 represented the first C2 big block at the gathering last September (and was beat out by a Camaro, still smarting from that, there were at least 3 of them & I had the only L78 C2 in the joint).
The joy in that event however was a walk-around and talk with none other than Peter Brock. Peter delivered a heck of a recall on his C2 work with Mitchell and recalled fondly that when Brock showed Mitchell some sketches Mitchell boomed "I design the Corvettes around here son". I think it was one of the highlights of my time in the hobby, my car on display at Saratoga and Brock talking about its origins, I had to pinch myself. It might have been that day in which I really came to be a C2 lover, I own many other old cars but that day my Corvette found a special place in my heart.
The C2 in general and the SWC in particular straddles the platform and the train between special interest antique sports car and automotive historical artifact as art.
And I don't need thanks for saying so, its the truth.
Dan
The joy in that event however was a walk-around and talk with none other than Peter Brock. Peter delivered a heck of a recall on his C2 work with Mitchell and recalled fondly that when Brock showed Mitchell some sketches Mitchell boomed "I design the Corvettes around here son". I think it was one of the highlights of my time in the hobby, my car on display at Saratoga and Brock talking about its origins, I had to pinch myself. It might have been that day in which I really came to be a C2 lover, I own many other old cars but that day my Corvette found a special place in my heart.
The C2 in general and the SWC in particular straddles the platform and the train between special interest antique sports car and automotive historical artifact as art.
And I don't need thanks for saying so, its the truth.
Dan
Last edited by dplotkin; Feb 23, 2016 at 09:45 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2014
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They say by 64 removing the split was to keep the car looking new. I've no doubt some folks did this but how many? I've no doubt fellas found the rear split a pain in the neck, but how many went to the trouble and expense to saw them out?
Sure, some work-a-day guys bought new Corvettes and crafty or lucky kids did too; but Corvettes were expensive and most of them were bought by guys that had or could have a new Cadillac. Guys like those didn't saw out their splits any more than they changed the vinyl roof coverings on their Deville's. And if the Chiropractor blamed the car for the sore neck, he'd trade it in.
The fascination and lore behind the SWC has, I think, little to do with how they were viewed when new and has everything now to do with its exceptionally evocative and pure form, at once animal and machine. Only certain Jaguars are its equal in that regard.
Greatness never comes in quantity, otherwise it wouldn't be great. The SWC is inextricably linked to the American automotive psyche because of its greatness and will one day have AACA classic status bestowed upon it. If they grant that prize to the 59 Impala or Cadillac, I'll have to reconsider my membership.
Dan
Sure, some work-a-day guys bought new Corvettes and crafty or lucky kids did too; but Corvettes were expensive and most of them were bought by guys that had or could have a new Cadillac. Guys like those didn't saw out their splits any more than they changed the vinyl roof coverings on their Deville's. And if the Chiropractor blamed the car for the sore neck, he'd trade it in.
The fascination and lore behind the SWC has, I think, little to do with how they were viewed when new and has everything now to do with its exceptionally evocative and pure form, at once animal and machine. Only certain Jaguars are its equal in that regard.
Greatness never comes in quantity, otherwise it wouldn't be great. The SWC is inextricably linked to the American automotive psyche because of its greatness and will one day have AACA classic status bestowed upon it. If they grant that prize to the 59 Impala or Cadillac, I'll have to reconsider my membership.
Dan
Dan,
To you third paragraph, I disagree with your statement about when these cars were new.
I remember living in a row house in Baltimore as a five year old in 1963 and the rage about the new 1963 Corvette that someone up the street bought. All the older (Fathers) walked up to look, I was to young to remember the car only the interest and talk on the block.
They were cool then and have been head turners ever since I was old enough to remember. It's always interesting at a car show or cruise night, everyone knows what year THAT Corvette is. :-)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Dan,
To you third paragraph, I disagree with your statement about when these cars were new.
I remember living in a row house in Baltimore as a five year old in 1963 and the rage about the new 1963 Corvette that someone up the street bought. All the older (Fathers) walked up to look, I was to young to remember the car only the interest and talk on the block.
They were cool then and have been head turners ever since I was old enough to remember. It's always interesting at a car show or cruise night, everyone knows what year THAT Corvette is. :-)
To you third paragraph, I disagree with your statement about when these cars were new.
I remember living in a row house in Baltimore as a five year old in 1963 and the rage about the new 1963 Corvette that someone up the street bought. All the older (Fathers) walked up to look, I was to young to remember the car only the interest and talk on the block.
They were cool then and have been head turners ever since I was old enough to remember. It's always interesting at a car show or cruise night, everyone knows what year THAT Corvette is. :-)
I didn't do a good job saying what I meant, and that is that while the car was a head turner and cool when new, that is not what accounts for its status today, which I think has more to do with the recognition of the beauty of its form, the political capital it took to build (as Frankie pointed out above) and its place in automotive history as a first year breakthrough design.
Lots of cars were cool new that have since cooled off, the C2 along with the E Type and several others keeps getting cooler, but I catch your drift.
Dan