63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

[Harry Sadlock]

The following is in the New Fourth Edition 1963-1964 Corvette Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide -> "1963 models, after approximately VIN 5,000 and 1964 models until approximately VIN 15,000 have a notch cut in the bottom of the hardtop to give greater clearance above the door."

The same information was in the Third Edition and is apparently incorrect and has been known to be incorrect for many years.

I invite everyone to comment on this as I would like to submit the proper text to the National Team Leader and the National Judging Chairman for inclusion in the next release of the JG.

Harry
38513

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

Harry,

I agree completely with your observation/conclusion on the notched hardtop and error in the current manual. I believe the notch appeared at start of production for the 63 model year, and continued to some point in production around late 1962 or early 1963. After that point, I believe the notch was deleted and all units mfg'd after that time were without the notch.

I'll try to dig out some info/documentation on this and send it to you. Hopefully, owners of original 63's will add to this so the results of the survey can be forwarded to Roy Sinor.

Michael

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

Michael, Thank You.

I was also thinking about the upper and lower rear window braces in the hardtop. The JG indicates that after VIN 12,000 braces were used. I know the top to my car is original. My VIN is 1335X and the glass is dated 4 63 and I have no window braces.

I also invite others to comment on this question.

Harry
38513

[William C.]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

In addition to Mr Sinor, please include the judging Team leader in your distribution.

[mike mccagh]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

the augusta midget hasn't learned to read or write yet. good luck, mike

[Robert Jorjorian]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

Harry
Below is more info on 2 original paint hardtops that I own.
The first is a 63 top that has a rear window date of 9-62. This top has the fiberglass notches (above the doors) and no upper or lower rear window reinforcements.
The second is a 64 top with a rear window date of 10-63. This top doesn't have fiberglass notches and has both upper and lower rear window reinforcements.

Roy may be sympathetic to your cause and I feel contacting would be useful but the team leader has had 10 YEARS to get it right without success.
Best of luck,Robert

[Dave Morris]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

Harry
Like Robert, I have an original top dated 9-62 with the same setup. Notches above the doors and no window braces. I bought it in 76 or so at Bloomington because the date matched my early car and I didn't know if I would find another one. Its glass was already spider checked then and I would bet its original. Someone wrote an article on this same subject. Anyone know which Restorer it was in? I would like to back and look at it.
Dave #1684

[Mike McKown]

Is this discussion/thread over?

Everything I've read here on the notches on the early tops and the rear window reinforcements agrees with what I've always thought since these things were new. 'Course, I can't document anything. I'm suprised the judging manual has been in conflict with what is considered common knowledge all this time.

If people are getting their cars judged and getting points with tops as the judging manual describes them, they are wrong in my opinion.

[Paul Reynolds]

Re: 63 H-Top 1st/2nd Design - New Judging Guide

Harry,I posted this information a few days ago in the new JG discussion, but I'll restate the charactoristics of my Hardtop again:

Window date 5/63
No window support brackets (upper or lower)
No notch
The top is not original to my car, but I believe to be an original 63 top, so I can't help with the VIN #'s.

Hope this helps
Paul