'63 SWC w/ A/C

[Dale C.]

I am currently doing a frame off restoration on #12,658. This car has a build date of 4/11/63. It is all numbers matching, 300 HP, 4-Speed with Power Windows, AM/FM, Power Steering and Air Conditioning. My research tells me the car was originally sold at White-Allen Chevrolet in Dayton Ohio. This car seems to be 100% original. All the A/C equipment appears to be factory correct. I notice on some old posts that it is thought that A/C cars did not come off the assembly line until a few weeks after this car. Can anybody suggest things that can be checked to verify authenticity? Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

I am currently doing a frame off restoration on #12,658. This car has a build date of 4/11/63. It is all numbers matching, 300 HP, 4-Speed with Power Windows, AM/FM, Power Steering and Air Conditioning. My research tells me the car was originally sold at White-Allen Chevrolet in Dayton Ohio. This car seems to be 100% original. All the A/C equipment appears to be factory correct. I notice on some old posts that it is thought that A/C cars did not come off the assembly line until a few weeks after this car. Can anybody suggest things that can be checked to verify authenticity? Thanks

Dale------


Factory air conditioning is VERY difficult to add to a Corvette. The chances are that if it has factory-type A/C now, it's always had A/C.

[Loren L.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

How long have you owned the car & how many owners/history do you think you have? As of now, the prevailing information would indicate that your car is about 1500 units early, based on a documented Oct '62 order for an A/C car that is/was still in the hands of the original owner.

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

I am currently doing a frame off restoration on #12,658. This car has a build date of 4/11/63. It is all numbers matching, 300 HP, 4-Speed with Power Windows, AM/FM, Power Steering and Air Conditioning. My research tells me the car was originally sold at White-Allen Chevrolet in Dayton Ohio. This car seems to be 100% original. All the A/C equipment appears to be factory correct. I notice on some old posts that it is thought that A/C cars did not come off the assembly line until a few weeks after this car. Can anybody suggest things that can be checked to verify authenticity? Thanks

The earliest car I've seen is 13224.

Take a flashlight and look at the cowl above the engine side blower motor. Describe what you see. If you also look at the 63 AIM in section C60 it will show you what was not installed ( above the blower motor ) due to the A/C and what extra work was done to prepare the car for A/C.

[Edward J.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale, Harry has does some good research on 63 A/C cars, Just wondering about some of the components if they were Dated, such as the compressor, Dryer?? What do you think Harry?

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale, Harry has does some good research on 63 A/C cars, Just wondering about some of the components if they were Dated, such as the compressor, Dryer?? What do you think Harry?

Dale, Ed has a good idea. Please post the date on the back of the compressor, the serial number from the brass tag atop the compressor, a picture of the tag on the evaporator box, a picture of the interior vent ball and the color of the interior right and left ducts.

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Harry,
Thank you for responding to me. I just saw your name in my Drive Line this morning. I noted that you were heading up on course on C-2 A/C cars at the convention. I thought to myself, there's a guy I need to track down to get some insights. Now, here you are!!! Just a quick background on me. I am just a regular car guy from So. Cal. I have restored a number of cars over the years (just a hobby) including my '65 Air Roadster (18 years ago), will never part with that car! I am in the de-construction phase on the '63 right now. I am just about ready to remove the condenser and (inside) A/C stuff. Everything looks very original and unmolested. I don't currently have a '63 AIM ( I will be getting one however). Let me know if there are any pictures I can take which might be helpful in sorting this out. Thank you very much for your reply, it is much appreciated. Dale

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Harry,
Thank you for responding to me. I just saw your name in my Drive Line this morning. I noted that you were heading up on course on C-2 A/C cars at the convention. I thought to myself, there's a guy I need to track down to get some insights. Now, here you are!!! Just a quick background on me. I am just a regular car guy from So. Cal. I have restored a number of cars over the years (just a hobby) including my '65 Air Roadster (18 years ago), will never part with that car! I am in the de-construction phase on the '63 right now. I am just about ready to remove the condenser and (inside) A/C stuff. Everything looks very original and unmolested. I don't currently have a '63 AIM ( I will be getting one however). Let me know if there are any pictures I can take which might be helpful in sorting this out. Thank you very much for your reply, it is much appreciated. Dale

If you could take pictures of everything I mention in my prior post that would be great.

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Harry,
I am just catching up on the thread here. This is the first time I have ever done this form of communication so please bear with me. I will take some pictures as time permits over the next couple of days. hopefully this will shed some light on this. I'm thinking (hoping) this might have been some sort of a pilot car perhaps. I am sure with your help, we will get to the bottom of this. Thank you again for lending your expertise to this. I have had fun researching this on my own for the past couple of months but I think I have taken it about as far as I can.
All the best, Dale

[Larry M.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

The three AC hoses also had logos and dates. Try and preserve and record these. Everything is a clue.

Larry

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Thanks Ed,
Harry suggested that I take pictures of a number of things. I will take get on this over the weekend. Hopefully we will be able to figure this out. Much appreciated. Dale

[Frank D.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Seems everybody that finds some anomaly on their car want to launch it into some special category.
I doubt you have a pilot car...and yes, it can be tedious to install factory A/C into a non-A/C car but I've seen it done several times.
Its all how much work and effort you are willing to expend...

[Keith B.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

if the interior is not black the suffix code will tell the tell

[Domenic T.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Frank,
I did it to my 67 BB back in 71. I just refined it when I did the frame off. Engine was out both times. needed to do some cutting.

Dom

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Harry,
I am doing some work on my SWC this weekend. I notice serial numbers on the vents. They are #3834727A (Driver Side). #3834728A (Pass Side). Not sure if these a of any significance. Would you be willing trend me your email address so I can send you any pictures that might be helpful?
Thank you, Dale