First 100 miles on the 1963 Coupe
I just passed 100 miles on the 63. ��
The car is a blast to drive. A throw back to a bygone time…..
No power steering with the 340-hp… Who would have thought and extra quart of oil is more important than p/s? ��
It does add to the experience. In reality the car has a good road feel without the assist!
Surprised how little one notices the lack of p/s until you have to park it!
The Corvette rides like a truck without progressive wound springs. Corvettes got them in 64.
So much sound is muted on the new cars. Don’t get me wrong on a long trip I prefer it.
However, I wish side pipes were an option in 63, Id have them! The open air cleaner adds a lot of noise to the experience! Great fun sucking air.
I am thrilled how nicely the stock shifter works. Smooth and reliable. A little stiff at first but I am confident that was the stiff shifter boot.
Interesting choice by GM attaching the close ratio transmission to the 340 & 360HP motors. They lack low end torque to effectively launch the Corvette easly. With the 3:55 I notice getting the car moving requires some clutch slipping. With the standard ratio (3:70's) I likely would not be commenting on the transmission selection.
I still haven’t driven the Corvette with the windows up.
For some reason the air flow really isn’t annoying even at speed up to 60mph.
I keep the vents open. Not sure why I don’t notice the wind so much. Because the car is so loud. Guess I don’t care! ��
Its still warm on warm days, even with the extra Hushmat insulation. Sometimes I wonder if the heater is operating! Its not but you get the idea.
More gear noise than I remember. Not sure why. It is noisy even in 4th so I believe its the rear differential. I notice the noise even in YouTube videos. Maybe its innate to the cars? Not annoying but its audible at times. Differential runs cool. After a 20 minute ride it will be 120 deg. Engine is 190. Transmission is 180. Transmission is running warmer than I would have suspected.
The temp never go over 180 deg. even idling on hot days. GM did a good job of designing the cooling system. All new likely helps a bunch.
Still running out of power for some reason above 4K. Will work on that but in general it still a blast and maybe it’s a signal to be nice to the old gal.
Wish I would have replaced the rods for a little security…. Didn’t know what I know now when I rebuild the motor. Wish I would have had Duke's insights 30 years ago....
RPM should be 2800 at 55 mph. I’m close even with the known incorrect speedometer gear. GM was only close as the speedometer was off by 3.5% when new. (I am confident GM picked the closest gear ratio that was slower than the actual speed) Didn’t want it to be over with the certain to come lawsuits if they did. I may be within 5mph. It was off 15% or double that. Possible a winter fix?
The Corvette will spin the tires. The resulting noise (squealing) will wake up the dead or at least get the neighbors to look at the crazy man.
Once started only a little gas keep the skinnyies going. I have only did this once. Forgot how much noise a radial can make. And ya it was fun.
I realize I am likely to ding the paint sooner or later if I keep driving the car. Too much fun to quit. After owning the car for so long its just pure music.. Music I’m not likely to stop playing anytime soon.
Rick
The car is a blast to drive. A throw back to a bygone time…..
No power steering with the 340-hp… Who would have thought and extra quart of oil is more important than p/s? ��
It does add to the experience. In reality the car has a good road feel without the assist!
Surprised how little one notices the lack of p/s until you have to park it!
The Corvette rides like a truck without progressive wound springs. Corvettes got them in 64.
So much sound is muted on the new cars. Don’t get me wrong on a long trip I prefer it.
However, I wish side pipes were an option in 63, Id have them! The open air cleaner adds a lot of noise to the experience! Great fun sucking air.
I am thrilled how nicely the stock shifter works. Smooth and reliable. A little stiff at first but I am confident that was the stiff shifter boot.
Interesting choice by GM attaching the close ratio transmission to the 340 & 360HP motors. They lack low end torque to effectively launch the Corvette easly. With the 3:55 I notice getting the car moving requires some clutch slipping. With the standard ratio (3:70's) I likely would not be commenting on the transmission selection.
I still haven’t driven the Corvette with the windows up.
For some reason the air flow really isn’t annoying even at speed up to 60mph.
I keep the vents open. Not sure why I don’t notice the wind so much. Because the car is so loud. Guess I don’t care! ��
Its still warm on warm days, even with the extra Hushmat insulation. Sometimes I wonder if the heater is operating! Its not but you get the idea.
More gear noise than I remember. Not sure why. It is noisy even in 4th so I believe its the rear differential. I notice the noise even in YouTube videos. Maybe its innate to the cars? Not annoying but its audible at times. Differential runs cool. After a 20 minute ride it will be 120 deg. Engine is 190. Transmission is 180. Transmission is running warmer than I would have suspected.
The temp never go over 180 deg. even idling on hot days. GM did a good job of designing the cooling system. All new likely helps a bunch.
Still running out of power for some reason above 4K. Will work on that but in general it still a blast and maybe it’s a signal to be nice to the old gal.
Wish I would have replaced the rods for a little security…. Didn’t know what I know now when I rebuild the motor. Wish I would have had Duke's insights 30 years ago....
RPM should be 2800 at 55 mph. I’m close even with the known incorrect speedometer gear. GM was only close as the speedometer was off by 3.5% when new. (I am confident GM picked the closest gear ratio that was slower than the actual speed) Didn’t want it to be over with the certain to come lawsuits if they did. I may be within 5mph. It was off 15% or double that. Possible a winter fix?
The Corvette will spin the tires. The resulting noise (squealing) will wake up the dead or at least get the neighbors to look at the crazy man.
Once started only a little gas keep the skinnyies going. I have only did this once. Forgot how much noise a radial can make. And ya it was fun.
I realize I am likely to ding the paint sooner or later if I keep driving the car. Too much fun to quit. After owning the car for so long its just pure music.. Music I’m not likely to stop playing anytime soon.
Rick
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