Restoring my 63 conv.

[Norman D.]

I am restoring my 63 convertible, built august 63. My question, do the lower A arms have the reinforcement. Since it was late build. Thank you.

[Bob R.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

I only have the 5th addition of the judging manual handy and based on that early to mid production 63's did not have the reinforcement. My mid May 63 does not have the reinforcement. But you car is very late production so I would think you should have it.

[Harry S.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

I am restoring my 63 convertible, built august 63. My question, do the lower A arms have the reinforcement. Since it was late build. Thank you.

Car 20018, July 19, 1963 does not have the welded reinforcement.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

Does anyone have a photo or drawing of what/where we're looking at? I have a 19,xxx car from July 9 build, but I don't see anything that looks like a welded reinforcement.

Stu Fox

[John H.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

Does anyone have a photo or drawing of what/where we're looking at? I have a 19,xxx car from July 9 build, but I don't see anything that looks like a welded reinforcement.

Stu Fox

Stu -

See the two photos below. The one with the frame upside-down shows the front sway bar link bolt being installed, and the bolt goes through a single stamped bracket welded to the front of the lower control arm; early cars (as shown) only had that single-thickness bracket, and it wasn't strong enough to take the link bolt loads without bending.

The other photo shows a '66, and you can see the added reinforcement from the control arm to the bracket that provided the stiffness required to stop the failures - that reinforcement was added during '63 as a running change.


66L79DropFrt (3).jpgFrtAssy1 (2).jpg

[Stuart F.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

John;

Thanks for the pictures. I'll take look at it today, but I doubt mine has the change. I changed the links and bushings at least once at least 10 or 15 years ago.

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: Restoring my 63 conv.

63 vin 21301, built in late july of 63, had no reinforcement on one side and the reinforcement on the other. i believe the a-arms were original to this car. mike