1963 Split Window Barn Find

[Robert N.]

Hello All,
I recently puchased a 63 Split Window Fuel Injected, 4 speed coupe built in Feb.,1963. This car has 30,700 original miles and had not been driven in 29 years. I know the owner and about 8 years ago, and was able to verify the drivetrain numbers as correct and also start the car for about a minute. The car was stored in a not so car friendly environment for the first 18 years, causing surface rust on the undercarriage and interior. I'm sure rodents found their way into the frame and exhaust. The last 11 years it has been in a better place. The car has original paint in fair condition, and the interior has faired well except for the front carpet. The brake and fuel lines need to be replaced. There are some other mechanical parts that have been replaced. I would like to bring this car back to original as possible, with the exception of removing rust from various parts and places. I have been advised by a few members not to remove ANY rust, or risk de-valueing the car. I have full intentions on getting this car road worthy and would like to hear what other members have to say. I am new to the NCRS, but I have experience in restoring other cars (not Corvettes). I look foward to conversation with fellow '63 owners. Regards, Rob

[Rick A.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Okay, 15 views and no one responded, so I will bite. First, welcome to the NCRS! Second, you mention you want to make the car road-worthy, but then you mention you want to bring back to "as original as possible". Well, those two statements are pretty much opposing each other. So, you need to decide exactly what you are going to do with the car. Once you have figured that out, then we can help you move towards that end.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Robert,

Welcome to the NCRS! You have purchasaed one of the most sought after Corvettes of all time!
ANY question you have specifically addressing your needs during your restoration will be addressed on this forum.
Yes, attend the next meet you can and definately attend the NCRS meet in Florida next Jan. 2015. A registration form will be in the "Driveline".
Several of us have a passion for 63's and can help you get started.

JR

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Sounds like a great car, but as a "barn find", it has a special attraction to some based on "originality" of course. Barn finds are at their peak value (money wise) as they are pulled from the barn. That is when many decide to leave it exactly as found, rust, dirt, dust, rat's nests and all, and tow around to display at a museum, car shows, BowTie judging (as Don mentions), etc. If you decide you can't enjoy it that way (and frankly IMO, I couldn't) and want it to run, drive, look nice, and be able to cruise around on nice days, some sacrifices will have to be made from "originality" (i.e. as originally delivered). The question is, what do YOU want to do with the car? All the rest will follow from that decision.

[Tim G.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

If you bring it somewhere for work, be very careful. They may want to change out ball joints, U joints, rebuild/replate the carb, ect. This will be spending "backwards money" in that you will spend dollars to ruin the originality of a car. I've seen it many times with nice original cars.

[Gary F.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

With your stating in your original post that the brake & fuel lines need to be replaced, there may be more on your plate than you can imagine right now. Get it running & driving first, with all components working as they should. You'll then have a better idea of the direction this project is going to take you.

[Dan P.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

some good advice here

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Bob, my coupe sat for 25 years without a start by the prior owner. I drained all the fluids (trans, rear, engine, etc). Also emptied the gas tank and drained the lines. Same with the brake fluid. Changed all the hoses ( I could see the holes). Pulled the spark plugs and put oil in the cylinders. Hand turned the engine. Attached a new battery and cranked the engine without plugs. Installed new plugs. Poured gas in the carb and after a few cranks it started right up. I had to do some carb rebuilding and some work on the wheel cylinders. Otherwise it drove fine and still does.

Not a barn find but kept in a normal home garage.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Robert,

Welcome to our fraternity! Mine is just another opinion but... I would strongly encourage you to load the car onto a trailer and take it to an NCRS meet and have the car judged BEFORE you do ANYTHING. At a meet you'll have a team of 9 - 10 experts spending a total of 10 man hours inspecting every detail of your car. They will provide a written report. If you compare that level of expert consulting to the price of admission I think you'll see that it's a heck of a deal. You then know exactly what you have - anywhere from a rare time capsule that should never be altered in any way to a car that would make a good basis for a full restoration project. 29 years of storage is a long time but that leaves 22 years unaccounted for. Many alterations could have occurred in that time - meaning the car might not be as original as one might think.

Bringing the car to a judging event also carries several other benefits:

- Other fellow NCRS members are given the opportunity to see a very original car
- You'll meet several people that share your passion for restoring '63 Corvettes
- You'll make connections with people that have already tread all the ground you will need to cover during a restoration
- You'll have an opportunity to see other well preserved/restored '63 Corvettes (bring a camera and note pad)

-Floyd-

[John L.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

I cried when my couison sold his split window last month!! I wish I had the money to buy it but with putting my two girls through college I don't have that kind of money laying around right now. I remember driving it when I was 17 and now 56 year old. He bought it in running condition but during the winters rebuilt the motor, tranny, interior, controls etc, etc,... . . So, I would get it running, drive it around without seeing any pictures, you would be surprised how some of these cars come back with just a very good cleaning, turn-up. I hope some day to buy one and drive it! I have a very nice c3 1975 that was sitting in a garage for 10 years, drives and looks good. Good luck!!

John

[Rob M.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

save everything you take of the car, NEVER EVER throw anything away!!!

[Robert N.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Thanks for the input and suggestions. Plans are to have the car road worthy by spring using any good used or NOS parts only and remove the mice evidence and general surface crud without any sandblasting or painting of anything.

[Jim H.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Robert, you are a very lucky guy with a find like that. We all dream about those kind of things happening. I'm with Floyd on the judging. Even the most thorough professional paid evaluation of your car could not come close to the level of detail, expertise, and advice you will receive at a flight judging. And I'll bet the judges will be full of valuable ideas on how to make your car roadworthy w/o damaging its value. Also, as mentioned, throw nothing away. I wish I had followed that advice w/my '66.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Any pictures?

[Robert N.]

Re: 1963 Split Window Barn Find

Having a difficult time loading pictures....any suggestions>