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Hey guys, the latest project ('63) is done. Many thanks for help, advice and tips from those here at the forum and from here locally. And of course my father too who made it all happen.
Was worth it to keep myself rolling and mind occupied. Going through the medical stuff now and I really needed it. Plus that I've always wanted a '63 coupe.
After 3 years of looking I picked up this coupe last September. Very solid car that spent it's life in California, Texas and Tennessee. NOM, Tan/Tan, PG, PS, PB.
Basically did a body on. Already had a fresh '63 (late) engine on the stand in anticipation of buying a split. Pop ups, 30-30, finned balancer, double bumps, '63 intake/carb, 2-1/2" manifolds, etc. The trans shifted good so I just did an external seal kit and also a 2500 converter. Added a stock cooler too. Gardner exhaust with N-11's.
Interior color change wasn't bad except for pulling on the seat covers----whew! I had Paragon polish/straighten the stainless and plate the bumpers. NOS rocker panels & grill. Refurbed AM radio on hand. Oh, and did the new glass thing. Lot of other stuff I'm forgetting but for sure there was plenty of mission creep.
Anyhow I got out today (right before the rain) and took some pictures of the bookends:
Last edited by 426 Hemi; 05-10-2018 at 12:18 AM.
Reason: I'm a clod
On the '63, I notice that the tires look pretty aggressive, what brand (and sizes) are you using? Any clearance issues with them?
Good luck... GUSTO
Morning Gusto, Much appreciated!
Yeah, those are BFG T/A's 215/65R-15. I was wanting a tire with a somewhat square sidewall to tread look----kinda like a bias ply. Also wanted some tread width. I have had them both on the '67 and now the '63. Both cars are pretty low and have never touched the body lip. The only thing I noticed was on the '63 in a tight turn----the rear inside of the tire will rub just a little on the frame. No big deal at all and might be attributed to the steering stops.
Side note----when I said above I've had these on both cars I should point out the wheels are actually '67 bolt ons. I used an aftermarket cone and Corvette two bars adapted on. Edit, I see Tom just pointed out the spinners.
looks great ! Who’s seat covers did you use? Pleats look good.
Thanks man.
The covers are Al K's as are the new buns. Very happy with the quality and how complete they come----all pull down wires attached, all paper clips installed and positioned and edge clips included too.
Not to say we didn't have problems-----mostly my/our fault. Side note----definitely was a 2 man job. And I don't know if a feeble 56 year old and a feeble 81 year old add up to two men.
The biggest problem was the pull downs for the seat base. By pull downs I mean the various length "paper clips". We were going by the Corvette Central video:
Their method has you attaching the pull downs to the seat springs. We did that and it was just to deep of a pull. The pleats looked like they had a teddy bear underneath them. They arched too much.
So then we found this video of an well experienced old timer upholsterer doing a set of mid year seats: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/int...-and-hardware/ He was attaching the pull downs to a separate wire (btw provided by Al K with the covers) placed on the foam. The wire was one of those that has a brown fibrous covering. Anyhow we redid it that way and the pleats looked super.
The take away was that CorvetteCentral must use longer pull downs anchoring to the seat spring. Al Knoch on the other hand uses shorter pull downs anchoring to a separate wire placed on the foam. (or the ultimate take away is to have an upholsterer do the install. )
Important note----in the above I was talking about the seat bottom. For the upper/back we were able to anchor the pull downs to the seat springs------despite the older gentleman in the video attaching them to a wire he fabricated.
Oh and another thing, there is a piece of burlap with wires woven into it that goes on the seat springs before the foam. You can buy this burlap piece with the wires installed or save a few bucks and install them yourself. Uhhhhh, just get the pre assembled ones.
That Shinoda sticker 1962 might be truly something of high interest (special) to keep!
You do know who he is I assume!
Started working at Chevrolet 1956 and designed like the Mako Sharks, helped with the 1963, and other stuff! Pretty important guy there!
Questions
Might this be a very low serial number car?
Anything else found, that is unusual on this car?
Interesting first Owner?
Pilot line car?
He was all into the aerodynamics of this new generation, maybe this was the wind tunnel test car?
i think their are pictures of that in many of the books, so will have to look up the car and color/interior!
Etc
Definitely do not lose that sticker till you figure some things out! I would really suggest an effort to preserve it, at all costs!
And maybe someone else will chime in on that thing! Like John Z or other!
Last edited by TCracingCA; 05-10-2018 at 11:23 AM.
I'm sorry Derek, I should have explained I made that. Redid the date with my build date. One of his posters I have has that airfoil design and includes the Japanese flag. Sure sharp you picked up on that and Larry.
I sat next to him at the event dinner in St Ignace years ago. He was one of the invited guests. We made some small talk but I wished I would have asked more questions. I was kind of in awe and also wanted him and his wife to have some privacy. I wish he had written a biography.
Thank you for the reply to the post and again Derek I apologize.
I'm sorry Derek, I should have explained I made that. Redid the date with my build date. One of his posters I have has that airfoil design and includes the Japanese flag. Sure sharp you picked up on that and Larry.
I sat next to him at the event dinner in St Ignace years ago. He was one of the invited guests. We made some small talk but I wished I would have asked more questions. I was kind of in awe and also wanted him and his wife to have some privacy. I wish he had written a biography.
Thank you for the reply to the post and again Derek I apologize.
Cool sticker! It looks vintage too! Nice touch. I had never seen one, and thought we had something. Definitely a conversation piece.
05-10-2018, 12:04 AM
....The Alpha and The Omega of C2's
Dennis
