63 F.I. roadster

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

That goes for even an original owner car too. Over the years under different circumstances, we're all likely to have lost complete control over our car, for one reason or another. Take mine for example; I had it stored in two different places during the time I was in service or working contracts in SEA. My buddy had the car with him in California for several months as well, though I trust he informed me about any service he had done. I also had it serviced and repaired after I hit a deer in the early 90's. That Corvette shop, without authorization, changed out my master cylinder, my starter, my fan clutch, and my windshield wiper motor. I thought I had an understanding with them about consulting with me for approval on any items they thought needed repair/replacing - but, they fell back on the old "blank check" defense, or "there was a misunderstanding with the service tech." about what he was supposed to do, etc., or "sorry, but the old parts went out with the scrap man"! I was recovering from open heart surgery at the time so, in effect, I lost control of my car. I only recently replaced the master with a correctly date range piece. My original starter shot craps within the first few thousand miles anyway, so that didn't bother me. I had a spare fan clutch, but my W.W. motor is still what they put on. Then too, there is normal wear and tear on any car; mine blew the original valve covers off due to a crankcase explosion, I broke the rear spring when I lost it backwards at an off ramp, and I bounced it between telephone poles on another off road excursion (that caused only cosmetic paint damage, whew!), i.e. I didn't buy it to store in mothballs hoping for appreciation or to trailer from one show to another.

Stu Fox

Sounds like a very honest and reputable place to bring a Corvette for service. (I think NOT!) Maybe they just accidently got your parts mixed up with some other car that was in the shop? (yea, right) Was that episode here in Floriduh?

[John S.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Just back from the inspection on the 63 E.I. car.

It appeared to be a real one as most of the advice areas were correct, but the car was not done well, just oo many things done poorly for a full restoration, certainly not NCRS standards. Many things not correct for 63 judging. Paint runs in areas, poor body fit/alignment, etc. I passed. Owner would sell it for $60,000.

I inspected a nice 63 SWC, just under 40,000 mi car, auto, p/s, p/b car. Complete with original sale docs, window sticker, etc. One repaint that needs good touch up or maybe new paint to be perfect, otherwise totally original and nice.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Can anyone give me some hints on what to look for on a fully restored 63 F.I. roadster, numbers all appear to match, but no documentation to prove it was original fuel car.
I'm going to view it this weekend, so any help on what might be the best to look for.

I have all the NCRS technical/judging manual and specs. Red/red car.

Any ideas on the value today of the car that has never been judged?

The best telltale is probably the radiator support. The '63 supports have a unique design, and, of course, the FI support has the engine air opening. If you determine that the radiator support is an original '63 FI example, then there's a reasonable possibility that the car was originally built with the FI engine, but without unequivocal documentation you can never absolutely know for sure.

Within only a year or two the '63 service radiator supports were replaced by later versions, which differ in detail design. If a '63 was ever in a big enough front end accident to require a new support, it will likely have a later design version.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Just back from the inspection on the 63 E.I. car.

It appeared to be a real one as most of the advice areas were correct...

The big problem with trying to document an original 63 or 64 FI car is, there is no single item that will give you a definite yes/no.
Every last part needed to create a 63-64 FI car is a bolt on item and most of these items are available in original used or reproduction. Nothing on the body was any different than a non FI car so if a guy does his homework, and there's not very much involved, he can easily create what appears to be a genuine original.
It's actually pretty hard to screw up if he has the components.

This is not the case for a 65 FI car, though.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Original paper work too?

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Michael;

I think you know where my car was raped. Does Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, Illinois ring a bell? The place and people who know Corvettes so well that they can determine that your original parts are of more value on one of their cars for the next Chevy Vettefest or Bloomington Gold show. They coveted my glove box door too, but admitted they didn't think they could get away with it.

Stu Fox

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Michael;

I think you know where my car was raped.

Yes, I think I know who you mean. Did you ever get any of the items back?

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

I got some compensation in the form of a discount, but the parts they claimed were long gone in the scrap. They blamed miscommunication with an East European Mechanic that worked for them, but I never bought that. The service manager, who is still there, was too smart for that. He knows his Vettes very well and can spot a sucker like me during my post heart surgery naivete.

They once had a Daytona Blue 63 Fuelie roadster in their show room that they took credit for a frame off restoration. They wanted double the appraised value of mine at the time. Upon close inspection I noticed a large glob or bulge in the fiberglass on the lower left front fender and pointed it out to them. I was told it was the way it came from the factory and they were just trying to maintain it's originality. I've not been back there since. Still see the same people with their 18 wheeler at the shows, so apparently there is no lack of suckers out there.

Stu Fox

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Stu,

There are laws, even in Illinois against fraud! At least south of Chicago anyway! Maybe I should have said south of Pheasant Run!

JR

[William C.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Are your REALLY sure there are laws against Fraud in ILL? Better look more closely at the politics there, fraud would be a minor annoyance!

[Clem Z.]

Re: 63 F.I. roadster

Are your REALLY sure there are laws against Fraud in ILL? Better look more closely at the politics there, fraud would be a minor annoyance!

the laws are there but enforcement is what is missing.