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Nov 25, 2006 | 11:08 AM

#21

Larry B.

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

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Likes: 4

From: Orlando Floriduh

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levitating_Llama

Even the 53s had fiberglass bodies? I wonder how the finish of 53 vintage fiberglass compares to todays?

Terrible...That's why they were all white. They switched to Sheet molded compound in the seventies.

Nov 25, 2006 | 11:32 AM

#22

ED HEISER

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 798

Likes: 116

From: OAKLEY CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levitating_Llama

Even the 53s had fiberglass bodies? I wonder how the finish of 53 vintage fiberglass compares to todays?

I had a 58, and it had cracks in the door jam areas on both sides. This was in 1967, so it was 9 years old when I bought it. The fiberglass was quite brittle and dry in many areas, even though it had been garage kept. Boats of the era were made of wood, not switching to fiberglass until around 1965. So a fiberglass car (or anything) in the 50's was quite unusual. European exotics were aluminum bodied only for their race versions. My dad had a 1954 Jaguar XK120 with an aluminum engine, but the body was steel. I feel lucky to have lived to see such fine automobiles, and to actually own a C6.

Nov 25, 2006 | 11:45 AM

#23

Wayne88

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 18,727

Likes: 711

From: Bergen County, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levitating_Llama

Even the 53s had fiberglass bodies? I wonder how the finish of 53 vintage fiberglass compares to todays?

Here's a '53 with original paint. I saw it at an auction a few years ago.
The paint is chipping, and the fiberglass had lines that can be seen under the paint.

Nov 25, 2006 | 11:47 AM

#24

*89x2*

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 36,188

Likes: 2,511

From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©

...20 years ago

In 1987, you could ORDER your Corvette WITHOUT an engine

Also in 1987, the Factory (RPO) Option for the Twin Turbo began, continuing production through 1991 with a few more than 500 Twin Turbo Corvettes made

RPO B2K = Callaway Twin Turbo

Nov 25, 2006 | 01:31 PM

#25

BigJoe

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 13,733

Likes: 66

From: Hurst, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levitating_Llama

Even the 53s had fiberglass bodies? I wonder how the finish of 53 vintage fiberglass compares to todays?

Not only were they fiberglass it was hand molded fiberglass, each car done completely from scratch. The Museum has a great video of how they were made. About 5-6 guys worked on each car, laying out the layers of glass mats and resin. No gloves, or masks or any other protection in sight!

Nov 25, 2006 | 05:09 PM

#26

Larry B.

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Orlando Floriduh

I saw that video a few years ago. There is also a promo video that the dealers showed to the customers waiting for their cars.

Nov 25, 2006 | 06:05 PM

#27

Vettin08

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 4,194

Likes: 7

From: Euless Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry B.

Terrible...That's why they were all white. They switched to Sheet molded compound in the seventies.

Quote:

AND... 81's were made both places at the same time for a short period of time. I forgot how to tell the difference.

Actually, I THINK the switch was made for the C4 regarding the SMC body panels. As to the differences between the '81's, I seem to remember something about the 2 tones being done in one place, while the standard paint cars were done in the other.

And for my contribution, I'm sure everyone knows this, but the ZR1 first appeared in 1970.

Last edited by Vettin08; Nov 25, 2006 at 06:11 PM.

Nov 26, 2006 | 12:59 PM

#28

hulksdaddy

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 7,303

Likes: 12

From: R.I.P Zebra Ct

One correction....

There are actually one and a half 1983 Corvettes, or at least there were. Last time I was at the plant, they had half of a '83 'Vette above the entrance door. If this has changed, LMK.

Thanks, Dave

Last edited by hulksdaddy; Nov 26, 2006 at 01:17 PM.

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Nov 26, 2006 | 01:14 PM

#29

twfreightman

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 1,116

Likes: 5

From: Northwest, AR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne88

Here's a '53 with original paint. I saw it at an auction a few years ago.
The paint is chipping, and the fiberglass had lines that can be seen under the paint.

I did not think the 53's had windows and a top???

Nov 26, 2006 | 01:22 PM

#30

*89x2*

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 36,188

Likes: 2,511

From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulksdaddy

There are actually one and a half 1983 Corvettes, or at least there were. Last time I was at the plant, they had half of a '83 'Vette above the entrance door. If this has changed, LMK.

Thanks, Dave

that 1/2 of an 83, was updated w/ 88 optional wheels but has since been removed from above the doors.

It was last seen (by me) a few mos ago in the back corridor of the NCM

Nov 26, 2006 | 01:23 PM

#31

*89x2*

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

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From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©

Quote:

Originally Posted by VETLESStil08

And for my contribution, I'm sure everyone knows this, but the ZR1 first appeared in 1970.

...and the Z06, in 1963

Nov 26, 2006 | 02:11 PM

#32

Wayne88

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 18,727

Likes: 711

From: Bergen County, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by twfreightman

I did not think the 53's had windows and a top???

The '53 definitely came with a convertible top, but I think you are right about the windows. If there are windows on this one, they are aftermarket, for protection. Notice there are no door handles.

This one had a number, forgot which, but one of 300 made. Only 200 still exist, from what I hear.

This one did not meet reserve; the highest bid was $113 thousand. At the Atlantic City annual car auction, 2005.

Nov 26, 2006 | 03:45 PM

#33

BigJoe

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 13,733

Likes: 66

From: Hurst, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by twfreightman

I did not think the 53's had windows and a top???

Sports cars of that era usually had removable side curtains with a sliding section to open the window rather than permanent roll-up windows. To open the door you just slid the window open and reached through the window, which had no way of locking.

Good '53 info here:

Quote:

(from above link) Despite Thomas Keating's pronouncement, comparisons between European sport ars and the Corvette were inevitable. And, not unexpectedly, the Chevy two-seater didn't stand up well against such competitors. It wasn't just the less-than-exciting six cylinder engine, or Powerglide automatic, but also the dash-board and whitewall tires that didn't belong on a sports car. And even those people prepared to accept the lack of perform-ance were far from satisfied with the level of standard equipment - no external door handles, clumsy clip-in side curtains instead of wind-up windows, a primitive convertible top that let in rain and dust - and dis-tressing rattles from the glass-fiber body-work.

Nov 26, 2006 | 04:54 PM

#34

jayelleseven

Racer

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 495

Likes: 0

From: So Cal

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimEli

Expect me to believe somebody made Corvette's before the C6?

Silly man.

ahaha, i mainly noticed the C5--

Nov 26, 2006 | 05:09 PM

#35

joeearl

joeearl

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 66

Likes: 0

From: Greensboro AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zymurgy

10) 1953's were made in GM Plant 35 near Flint, Michigan
11) Production moved to St Louis, Missouri in December 1953
12) Production moves from St Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1981

I lived in Saint Louis in the 1960s and bought a 1967 Stingray with the 427 engine. When I drove it home, my nextdoor neighbor came out and said he had something to do with making my car. He worked at the Budweiser plant across town from the Corvette plant, and he told me that my car body was fiber glass. He stated, further, some insider information, that his plant shipped all the broken beer bottles across town to the Vette plant, and they saved a lot of money making the cars out of the trash from his beer plant. This man was an expert on just about everything, he often told me so. joeearl

Nov 26, 2006 | 05:36 PM

#36

WNeal

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 21,532

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From: Cincinnati Ohio

Cruise-In Veteran VII

Cruise-In Veteran VIII

"Slower Azz Dog"

St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09

Anyone know how the WAVE started and when.

Nov 26, 2006 | 06:00 PM

#37

BigJoe

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 13,733

Likes: 66

From: Hurst, TX USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNeal

Anyone know how the WAVE started and when.

Here's a classic article...
Another...

Nov 27, 2006 | 10:34 AM

#38

Wilkey65

Racer

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 485

Likes: 25

From: Brentwood, CA

I you know that the Covette was named after a small, maneuverable fighting frigate (ship)?

Nov 27, 2006 | 11:02 AM

#39

Crush2

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 435

Likes: 0

From: Katy The Republic of Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zymurgy

10) 1953's were made in GM Plant 35 near Flint, Michigan
11) Production moved to St Louis, Missouri in December 1953
12) Production moves from St Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1981

12a) Simultaneous production in SL and BG from June 1-Aug 1 (SL VINs ending in S400001-S431611, BG VINs ending in 5100001-5108995)
12b) SL mainly lacquer, BG enamel basecoat/clearcoat (limited (about 100) run of BG basecoat/clearcoat system at SL)
12c) 1981 is first year for power seat (drvr side only)