A Model A friend is going to look at a split-window. Any one of a kind things to look for? Mainly looking for a nice driver.

It is on Classiccars.com #1433792. Appears color change for sure on trim tag.

 

Rust! Look for rust!

 

Do a search here. Lots of threads on what to look for. Highly recommend hiring a C2 expert to inspect the purchase (threads on finding those people here as well). Lots of one year only parts in a 63. If you don't care about originality maybe that's not a big deal, but the price should reflect that. Take lots of pictures and post them here. You'll get some feedback.

Patrick

 

I'll let him know. The car is about 3 hours from here.

 

Tell him to look for the raised pads under the door handles. You would be shocked at how many non ‘63 doors Ive seen on ‘63s while shopping.

 

We’re ALL “looking at a split window.” LOL

 

Heading there tomorrow morning. I'll let you know what we find.
I found it on the C2 Corvette Registry. VIN # 00732. High horse tach and probably NOM.

 

The back window... It should have a divider down the center that splits the rear window into two halves.

 

Nothing mechanical about that vehicle is correct and d/s hood fitment concerning. Check bond strips underside of front wheel wells for prior body damage. Check inner birdcage structure and under glove box for rust. Be very cautious...........what I see are many red flags.

 

Make sure it has all the high-dollar '63-only parts, if possible.
Here's a short partial list...

• Correct early fiberglass headlight buckets
• Raised pad under door handles (mentioned in earlier post)
• Plastic, not metal, glove box door
• "Ribbed" aluminum console
• Steering wheel color-matched to interior
• '63-only seats (come to a point at the seat back top)
• All external stainless - especially on the doors and the rear windows (big $$ if missing)
• Interior trim molding, especially surrounding rear windows
• Gage cluster and clock with silver cone inserts
• Correct 15" x 5-1/2" rims (big $$ if missing)
• Correct hood with grill inserts

The price to replace the above parts with correct components is easily $15K - $20K.
I won't even get to "under the hood" engine parts.

 

Pull up the photos on the C2 Corvette Registry #00732 and let me know what stands out.

 

Here is a link with a list of 63 only parts::
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ets-do-it.html

 

The far side (passenger side) headlight and hood gaps look really odd. I wonder if that car took a whack to the nose? There may be a reason that this car is 20-40k cheaper than all of other 63s for sale on the same site.

Pretty car, don't get me wrong, but the nose appears (to my untrained eye) to have gap issues.

 

You'll help your buddy out far better if you post a link to many current, large photos, as seen in seller's adverts.

Biggest single piece of advise, but most often unheeded? Hire a professional classic Corvette inspector/appraiser. While costly, these types can save a buyer tens of thousands of dollars due to overpriced classic Corvettes not being correct, missing correct $$$$$ parts, having prior hidden damage, having a hidden but rotted frame or worse yet, a hidden but rotten birdcage ($$$$).

The last I saw, split window bright trim runs about $2,500 a set or more. Parts add up quickly on these cars, and an early VIN '63 SWC has tons of hard to find and replace parts.

Just because someone has a '63 SWC priced at the low end of the price range does not mean that it's automatically a good deal. It may be, but it could also be an overpriced disaster that a seller is hoping to foist off on an unknowledgeable buyer.

Be careful out there.

 

The car will never be perfect, but it looks pretty nice. If the frame and birdcage are in good shape, the asking price seems fair.

Are the fender emblems in the right place? They look like they are mounted too far to the rear.

 

First off the Trim tag shows 898A which is Saddle tan leather, paint 932A also Saddle Tan. Master cylinder is not 63 , more like 67. Radio is not original. Shifter looks like a Hurst, not original

 

Redbird,

You have received some great advice in the responses. I would add find a qualified 1963 inspector and have them perform an inspection. It will be money well spent.

Rick

 

There is virtually nothing original regarding engine bay...........but maybe that is not a concern for potential buyer if all he is looking for is a driver. Still would advise to have it inspected by knowledgeable person.Good luck. begee22

 

I'm no expert on '63s, but that tach does not appear to match the intake manifold on that engine as well. Looks like it should be a 340HP engine (at least) under that hood, which is not correct for that cast intake.

 

Okay guys. Thanks for the clues. Here is what we found in a nutshell. Power went out before we got there due to storm. It has an 870 block with what appears to be K278 cast date. Nothing on pad. No double hump heads. No ign shielding. Carb aftermarket w/ elec choke. Not sure what HEI distributor is from. Appears rear main seal leaking, but could be valve covers. Trans missing vin stamping, can't read number on posi. All u-joint appear good. Spin on oil filter. No AC on fuel pump. Fan replaced with electric fan. Alternator from Mexico. Whole front clip replaced. Fiberglass repair to jack tubs on both sides of driveshaft - appears u-joint let loose, no rust on frame rails or kick-ups. rear shock bushings a little shot. Rear nubbers in place, leaf spring donuts old. Center exhaust ground straps missing. Power antenna not correct. Gas tank looks newer. Gas lid is correct. No spare tire, but tub in great shape. No lock on spare. Battery tray looks good, but moved to passenger side. Looks like newer power steering and pitman arm. All tie rod end replaced. Power disk brakes on front added, new radiator. Mix & match on hose clamps. Wrong cap on expansion tank. Oil looked clean. Rag joint looked good and no play. Trailing arms had aftermarket shims. Could't see TA bushings. Power brakes booster & dual MC appear aftermarket. Wiper blades should be replaced w/originals. Originally Saddle tan/saddle tan per trim tag. Starting to scratch after market WS on passenger side. All other glass dated correctly. Vent windows open/close with no effort. PS glass up/down good. DS window has a hitch about half way down. Door locks have been flip-flopped, but could be changed. Door mirror is correct and dated. Same mirror on PS, but could not see date. Ext door handles work good & have raised area. W/Washers missing and switch should be replace or rebuilt. H/L flip up and down. Dash warning light for headlights and parking brake does not working. Glove box light missing. Aftermarket headlamps. PS courtesy light moved to center console area due to AC ductwork. DS vent pull handle & cable missing. Car has working Vintage A/C. All gauges appear to work. Has a Hurst shifter. Never got to drive vehicle due to heavy rain storm. Engine fired right up and sounded good. No lifter noise or knocking. A couple rivets missing on PS door jam. Seats were correct and adjusters worked fine. Not sure what kind of scissor jack it was, but not correct. Carpeting average. Appears new dashpads. Door fitment was pretty good. DS drip W/S missing. Could not tell if H/L buckets were fiberglass. Magnet would not stick to them. All interior molding was present. Cookie sheets on hood were loose. Hood fitment a little high on DS. Aftermarket knockoffs look new and appear to be bolt-on wheels. Unable to pop off the center cup with a suction cup. That is it. How did I do? I guesstimated around $70k. Up to my buddy and the owner now. It will be a driver.