LouieM

So, do you recognize any of the four engineers/managers in photo #2?

JohnZ

Nope. I was there five years later.

sharmon1

My boss actually has three (all consecutive #'s: 16, 17, & 18) of the possibly known six pilot cars still in existence. In fact, he has documentation proving that his #16 is the one that is in the photos. I am trying to find out more about the pilot car, but having difficulty. Here is what I know so far that makes the pilot car different from the production cars (from some of his notes, but he didn't elaborate):
• Handmade fiberglass instead of molded
• Inner front fender ?
• Underside of grille ?
• Spare tire tub & rubber on the cover
• Dash ?
• Rear side of inside of convertible top ?
• Side panels of radio
• Dash Button ?
• Gauge Bezel: Big gauge is 1" thick instead of 3/4" thick and small gauge is 5/8" thick instead of 1/2" thick
• a '62 Nova black hand break was used, the production cars used chrome t-bar handles
• Polished smooth console instead of the grooved ones on production cars
• Wire in soft top
• 1962 corvette carpet used
• Speaker sits atop the dash
• Door has 3 bolts
• Door top edge is thicker
• Rocker molding has 2 holes front and back
• Two bar knock off wheels
• Door window channel does not pass the vent window

Additional info for the '63:
This is the year that a totally new design was introduced: Sting Ray (two words, single word StingRay was used later)
New suspension: went from solid axle to four wheel independent
Equipped with fuelie 327/360 hp V8 (his #16, still waiting on info for #17 and #18)

If anyone knows of additional differences in the pilot and production builds or can elaborate on what I have here, that would be great. Not much of anything on the web. Thanks

jerrybramlett

I'm guessing your boss is Pete Vicari. He does own '63 #16 and #17, and I think #15. You might want to double-check about VIN #18; I hope it's still out there in my garage.

I suggest you phone Ken Hansen in Medina, Tennessee for more info on the '63 Pilot Line build design features. Ken did the second and most thorough restoration of #16. At one time he was planning to repaint #17, but I don't know if that ever came to pass. Ken's phone number is (731) 783-0815.

I believe the owners of the following '63 VINs are known: 2, 3, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, and 23.

sharmon1

Yes, you are correct. And I am probably mistaken on the #18 and it is #15. Thanks for the info. Will try to contact him.

MOXIE62

Interesting to see worker using a drill to drill holes out for emblem. I was told by a so call expert that to verified a 57 is a true fuel car the holes for the fuel emblems would be ragged on the inside from worker using a punch. Maybe that's the way they did them in 57 and drilled in 63. Or maybe this guy that told me this is full of do.

roberts427

looks like the car is painted before the dash is installed. So are the dash rivets painted or not ??

CrossedUp

Love the "Corvette Employees Only" sign in the upper right of the second photo.

sharmon1

Yes, found an thread that boss had printed stating that on the pilot cars "all mounting holes would have been 'hand' drilled."

I also found another question that I was curious about: How many of the pilots were convertibles. Of the 25, seven were coupes, 9 were convertibles, the rest unknown. Also, 10 fell victim to the "crusher". Still looking for any additional info on the pilot cars. Mainly the differences between the pilot cars and the production cars.

sharmon1

Also curious to know if any of the employees who were on the build might still be alive, since I noticed on the photos that they didn't wear mask (protective face gear) while sanding and painting.