SWC mystique & fantasy
05-25-2018, 07:59 PM
#41
Safety Car
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The mystique was so overwhelming, I had to buy one yesterday.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
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ptjsk (06-02-2018)
05-25-2018, 08:12 PM
#42
Racer
The split window will always be a point of conversation (positive or negative) because:
1. They're one year only.
2. They've always been cool as hell.
3. Anyone who knows the word Corvette also knows the words split window
4. If you're lucky enough to see one on the street, you will pause to look at it.
5. And about a million other reasons.
1. They're one year only.
2. They've always been cool as hell.
3. Anyone who knows the word Corvette also knows the words split window
4. If you're lucky enough to see one on the street, you will pause to look at it.
5. And about a million other reasons.
05-25-2018, 08:35 PM
#43
Team Owner
The mystique was so overwhelming, I had to buy one yesterday.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
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SupremeDeluxe (05-25-2018)
05-25-2018, 08:48 PM
#44
Race Director
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C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The mystique was so overwhelming, I had to buy one yesterday.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
I wanted one since I was little, but as time wore on, I became singularly obsessed with 67's. I owned several, most recently a 435 convertible that I sold in April. One could surmise that I am a slave to fashion and follow the trend, but I covet and collect a lot of totally obscure and generally unpopular cars too.
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SupremeDeluxe (05-25-2018)
05-26-2018, 01:29 AM
#46
Burning Brakes
...The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
I have heard those 'stories", but have yet to see a 63 coupe that actually had the "split" removed... But the one-piece glass and trim were NOT available (for someone to modify their rear window) until AFTER the later models were out...
IMO, its similar to the "67 "mystique"... Why are non-L71 and L68s (tri-powered 427s) worth more than identically equipped '66 models? And while not as much as '63, the '67s command a noticeable increase in value over the '65 and '66...
Last edited by L78; 05-26-2018 at 01:32 AM.
05-26-2018, 05:17 AM
#47
Team Owner
Nobody knows how many 'splits' were removed; it was also popular to mud in the cookie sheet depressions in the hood to make it flat -- that I have seen. These mods were being done enough that Popular Science did an article on the procedure - so, its not a myth....how many cars were subjected to this. I've heard from a handful to hundreds; nobody knows.
05-26-2018, 05:03 PM
#48
Safety Car
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Good stuff Frank... but you cut off the 3rd tailight install!! How are we supposed to do it now?
05-26-2018, 05:30 PM
#49
Team Owner
05-26-2018, 06:07 PM
#50
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15, '19
What I want to know is why Chevrolet sold more convertibles in 1963 than they did coupes?
If you look at vintage magazine write ups of 1963 Corvettes, you see the enthusiasm for the whole package. Not just one of the two available body styles.
Evidently, owners in recent years have put on a smoke and mirrors show to flim flam the unknowing public into believing there is something really special about them. The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
If you look at vintage magazine write ups of 1963 Corvettes, you see the enthusiasm for the whole package. Not just one of the two available body styles.
Evidently, owners in recent years have put on a smoke and mirrors show to flim flam the unknowing public into believing there is something really special about them. The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
05-26-2018, 06:13 PM
#51
Burning Brakes
I bought a 63' SWC back in 71' It was Daytona Blue with a very tired 340 hp engine. I replaced the engine with a small block 400 and drove the hell out of that car. It was the first C2, that, I ever owned and I loved it. The split window never fazed me at all. There was no problem looking towards the rear, but, I didn't know there was supposed to be. I just accepted it as it was. All in all, it was a great car in comparison to the two C1's that I had owned. I finally did sell it to upgrade to a 66' roadster with two tops. But, that's what most of my friends did back then. We sold to upgrade to a newer model. Nobody thought of holding on to these cars for investments then. There was no crystal ball to foretell the future.
If I had the money to spend, I'd buy another one to tool around in. But, one that was refurbished and in good shape. I'm too old to be climbing around and turning the wrenches anymore. The 63' SWC always brings a smile to my face and I love speaking to its owner and talking about them.
If I had the money to spend, I'd buy another one to tool around in. But, one that was refurbished and in good shape. I'm too old to be climbing around and turning the wrenches anymore. The 63' SWC always brings a smile to my face and I love speaking to its owner and talking about them.
05-27-2018, 07:51 AM
#52
Melting Slicks
SWC: if you don’t have one, you want one (my case).
If you have one, you want another one.
The only obstacle is justifying the upcharge vs the 64 through 67.
Make mine black with red, 340HP, 4 sp.
If you have one, you want another one.
The only obstacle is justifying the upcharge vs the 64 through 67.
Make mine black with red, 340HP, 4 sp.
05-27-2018, 08:01 AM
#53
Team Owner
Its a bit of whimsy that the desire for a fuelie SWC seems a bit dampened.....
Of course, most would love one, but for day-to-day driving/showing ?
Seems those cars are reaching "museum piece" status....not practical, nor affordable for mere mortals...
Of course, most would love one, but for day-to-day driving/showing ?
Seems those cars are reaching "museum piece" status....not practical, nor affordable for mere mortals...
05-27-2018, 09:01 AM
#54
Drifting
Mine did look pretty bad **** as a 454 AS/R car in Daytona blue. And there's your 6 taillights too!
Steve
Steve
05-27-2018, 09:21 AM
#55
Since I grew up, "back in the day" with these cars you mention..................
All the cars you mentioned are still ugly from a styling standpoint regardless of what the current publications say that are trying to sell something and you and people that look like you are buying it.
Nobody I know is jealous of someone that owns a SWC. Many that I know are really tired of all the bloviating about how valuable, rare, desirable, escalating in value, beautiful, etc., etc.
All you guys did was take the place of the BB '67 owners doing the same a few years ago.
It's really unclear to me why when you defend your purchase of that red car that you think everyone that doesn't own one is jealous of you.
I've owned a midyear coupe (same one) since 1972. If I wanted a '63 coupe, I'd go buy one. Two if I really liked it.
I quickly got rid of the first SWC I owned.
I think you are in the "fantasy" portion of this subject.
Don't take this personal. It applies to many here who go on and on about their SWC's.
All the cars you mentioned are still ugly from a styling standpoint regardless of what the current publications say that are trying to sell something and you and people that look like you are buying it.
Nobody I know is jealous of someone that owns a SWC. Many that I know are really tired of all the bloviating about how valuable, rare, desirable, escalating in value, beautiful, etc., etc.
All you guys did was take the place of the BB '67 owners doing the same a few years ago.
It's really unclear to me why when you defend your purchase of that red car that you think everyone that doesn't own one is jealous of you.
I've owned a midyear coupe (same one) since 1972. If I wanted a '63 coupe, I'd go buy one. Two if I really liked it.
I quickly got rid of the first SWC I owned.I think you are in the "fantasy" portion of this subject.
Don't take this personal. It applies to many here who go on and on about their SWC's.
its a money thing for sure that added to the hype .
The guy that bought mine was a flipper it took him 7 months for him do that . If it took long to flip it he paid to much
05-27-2018, 10:36 AM
#56
Burning Brakes
C2Racer/Steve
I love the view from the rear, (I'm sure many racers didn't
.
The six taillights, the louvers and the holes in the rear valance are perfect for a racer. I always liked the flares too.
I love the view from the rear, (I'm sure many racers didn't
.The six taillights, the louvers and the holes in the rear valance are perfect for a racer. I always liked the flares too.
05-27-2018, 11:12 AM
#57
Team Owner
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By "63, did you mean all '63's or just certain '63's.
Last edited by MikeM; 05-27-2018 at 11:14 AM.
05-27-2018, 11:31 AM
#58
Totally overlooks the point that many have no interest in faking anything, including the '63. They are not mystified nor do they have a fantasy about owning one. There are those that do bang the bongos to create an illusion amongst the minions that will, in the end, generate some cash to stick in their pocket. Today, it may be 63's, yesterday, it was '67's. I remember when '65 was hot. If you want to fall for all that hoopla and pay through the nose for some contrived nonsense instead of buying something you really like, go ahead. That's where the "fantasy" lies. There is no mystique. They are just old cars and the '63's are mechanically the least desirable of the midyears.
By "63, did you mean all '63's or just certain '63's.
By "63, did you mean all '63's or just certain '63's.
05-27-2018, 11:55 AM
#59
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Car and Driver didn't even notice the styling in 1963.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-ray-road-test
Road and Track didn't notice anything special about the styling either. Just that the coupe had room in the back for a couple of kids and some luggage. And not much wind noise below 70 mph! Nothing said about the back window.
It's all pure fabrication to generate dollars for the hucksters and make a few think they have good reason to puff their chest out a little.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-ray-road-test
Road and Track didn't notice anything special about the styling either. Just that the coupe had room in the back for a couple of kids and some luggage. And not much wind noise below 70 mph! Nothing said about the back window.
It's all pure fabrication to generate dollars for the hucksters and make a few think they have good reason to puff their chest out a little.
05-27-2018, 12:12 PM
#60
Car and Driver didn't even notice the styling in 1963.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-ray-road-test
Road and Track didn't notice anything special about the styling either. Just that the coupe had room in the back for a couple of kids and some luggage. And not much wind noise below 70 mph! Nothing said about the back window.
It's all pure fabrication to generate dollars for the hucksters and make a few think they have good reason to puff their chest out a little.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...-ray-road-test
Road and Track didn't notice anything special about the styling either. Just that the coupe had room in the back for a couple of kids and some luggage. And not much wind noise below 70 mph! Nothing said about the back window.
It's all pure fabrication to generate dollars for the hucksters and make a few think they have good reason to puff their chest out a little.