1963 standard suspension

[Howard Cox]

I have the 3rd edition of the 63 JG and it doesn't address a couple of things I'm concerned with. All questions are for 1963 standard suspension.

What paint color are the front coil springs?

What paint color is the rear leaf spring?

What paint color are the shocks?

Quick responses would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Denny J.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Howard
There are at least 3 could be 4 different 1963 A lot of changes going on.
Early frosted hub caps/Middle No tool trays/late middle Chrome hub caps/close to the end.We got the bugs out. .D
Whats your vin #
Shocks=Blue gray and you pick that color.
Leaf Springs=? I know but not shure.No paint?
coils= No paint
I have early #859 But you have to ask someone close to your #
Thats funny
Denny72

[Howard Cox]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

The vin is 108862 which is early Feb 63 build

[James W.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Howard....

To answer your questions, I will quote exactly what the current fouth edition of the 1963-1964 Corvette Technical Information and Judging Guide says.

Front Springs:
The front springs are natural unpainted for both 1963 and 1964.

Rear Suspension:
The rear spring is painted semi-gloss light gray and uses black plastic "H" shaped liners between each leaf. There should be no overspray on the liners.

Shocks - Front:
All 1963 cars have the shock absorbers painted semi-gloss black. All 1964 cars have the shock absorbers painted gray.
Shocks - Rear:
All 1963 rear shocks and 1964 rear shocks up to approximately VIN 9000 are painted semi-gloss back.

Again this is directly from the most current 63-64 JG available.

Hope this helps.

James West

[Howard Cox]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

That's exactly what I needed.

Thanks, James

[Denny J.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Hi James
You were right on the black shocks SORRY I got 1972 on my mind.
Rear spring? I went and got my original 63 rear spring Black & rust.
I don't think the spring is gray? Denny72

[James W.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Take the leaves apart and tell me what you find for color??? Howard is asking what the current judging manual says for colors, that's not saying "gray" is or is not correct, but if he is having the car judged that is the color the spring must be to receive the judging points.

James West

[Dick W.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Denny, the gray "paint" on the springs is actually Lonoklad, a rust inhibitor. I was applied on one surface of the spring leaf and what is seen on the edge is actually runoff according to a former employee of the company that made the original spring.

[Alan Drake]

Re: 1963 finishs

Howard,
Do a past search on these items around Sept 2000. Think you will be surprise at discussion. The discussion is very close to how the cars came off the line and in the case of 63 there exists tons of production line pictures.

As for the rear spring use Ionokald (got mine from Quanta) and brush on. Found my original spring was covered top and some bottom so I covered it all (not spacers).

I just saw a very early 64 coupe at Nationals (Bowtie) with balcked out rear including the half shafts and front springs. Again good discussion in past on said subject.

Now if you are going for judging follow the JG (new verision due soon) on those things which can be changed if need be, like color of shocks. Saw a fellow last year at Regional with soft top changed to conform to what judge wanted - that change made a new hole in top at a lower point and now he can not return back to the original position which was document after he made the hole, that's the type of change you do not want to make so car follows the JG. 63 and 64 had many many changes and its hard to get a good handle on just what is original. But lots of pictures around for 63 so you are luckey.

Keep asking questions, lots of good info here!

[James W.]

Re: 1963 finishs

Alan,

Did you get my Email yesterday regarding the parts you were looking for?

James West

[Denny J.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Dick thank you
Lonoklad thats a tuff 1 to remember.Might need a stick to make it stick.
I have seen the whole spring painted a light gray/Looked nice but it is not a paint.
But when the JM says gray whats a guy to think?
Thanks for jumping in.
Denny72

[John D.]

Re: 1963 standard suspension

Howard, The 63 rear spring has always been a controversial item on the finishes.
If you look at the pilot cars and early early models they were mostly black out chassis'. Recently I read on VH's that a 14 yr old could restore an early 63 chassis as it was mostly black.
But as the year progressed the rear spring was treated differently. My car is close to yours. Just a few weeks ahead of you. 9900 plus.
I consulted with a spring guru-Franz Estericher on how to treat the rear spring. Didn't look at the judging manual cause I only use them for a guide. Let's stop here. When I was contemplating having my 63 re-restored I decided it's about time to learn more info on these mystery cars. So I went to a fair amount of regional meets, nationals, etc. I am not a master judge although I have been judging 63-64 mechanic for an eon. Anyhow I OJ ed and that's how I learned a lot. Learned that the experience judges don't look at a manual except for an occasional part number. Manuals are intended to be a guide but not a restoration manual.They are technical information manuals and guides.
Back to the spring. Franz told me that in 1963 the factory that made the spring had no facility to paint anything. He said the 63 spring was bare steel.
So we made my 63 spring bare steel. Did cheat though and put Quanta pre-lube on it. That's some good stuff you know.
Car has been judged twice and no deducts for the rear spring finish. Once at a regional and once at a chapter with a master judge on the chassis. Nothing was mentioned about my spring treatment. You car is too late for a black painted spring. As far as making doing the whole spring in the grey stuff-be careful.
Be careful about the spring liners also.. Remember that the top or or two (I forget) plies do not get liners. You have a really tough car to restore. But it's a fun thing. There are 1000's of posts in the archives for your car. I mean 1000's.You would do well do buy some floppy's and copy a lot of the info. It's like going to grad school. Quite difficult. Very confusing. Lots of opinions. But none worth getting upset for. I mean the deducts for a lot of this stuff are only ones and twos. If you horn doesn't blow though like mine didn't then you are in trouble. A none blowing horn accounts for about a whole chassis of screwups. Been there. John