'63 SWC w/ A/C

[Harry S.]

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

Dale, you have mail.....

[Greg H.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Dale,
I am located in Costa Mesa and I have just finished my AC on a 67. You are welcome to come by and look over my parts.

Thanks GregIMG_0051.jpg

[Brian M.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale, please keep us advised as to how this works out, very interesting.

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Thank you Greg,
I actually have a '65 Air Roadster which I restored about 18 years ago. I am just trying to figure out how to verify if the '63 is an original A/C car. Many of the experts think this car is a bit too early but everything on the firewall inside the car looks factory and like it has never been out of the car. I am just about ready to remove all the a/c parts to see what I find. I'm kind of shooting in the dark a little bit. This could be a very important car... or maybe not.

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hi Harry,
One thing that I have been able to determine is that the compressor is date coded September of '62. I have read that some of the early cars did have '62 compressors. Is that correct?

[Domenic T.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale,
I had the under dash out on my 67 & 63 at the same time and there were differences. I since then have installed the 67 but the 63 is still out. LIC has the differences in their book. I would say that my 63 was not an original, BUT the distribution under dash was of 63. I bought the car in 71 and it had been in a farm yard for a while.

Dom

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Thanks for the reply Domenic. What is "LIC"? I am not familiar with that term.

[Domenic T.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale,
Sorry, it is long Island Corvette. You can get it on line with this: licorvette.

Dom

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Dale and I exchanged several emails with pictures. I suggested to Dale that I believed the car was not born with A/C.

From what I saw 1) The firewall was untouched which indicated it was setup for a non-A/C engine side heater box, 2) The compressor bracket was the 64 and later style, 3) the interior of the car is not black therefore the trim tag should contain the letter X, the X is not on the trim tag. X indicates the A/C RPO.

Saying that, I believe the A/C was added after the car was built. One could say it was a force fit on the line, but the compressor bracket makes me think differently. The 63 Corvette and the 63 Chevy Impala compressor bracket is very similar but not identical. They are both very different from a 64 and later compressor bracket on a Corvette.

I have not seen pictures of the interior ducts which should be greenish gray color. They are very rare, I've never seen them for sale. Also Dale indicated the compressor is dated from 1962. A very similar compressor was used on Cadillac, Chevy Impala, Buick and Pontiac.

[Tom C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

I don't get on here much, but wanted to add a little info.

First to correct some misinformation. Early 63 air cars that did not have black interior DID NOT have the X in the trim code. The X started about around 16000.

It seems that most have determined that this car had AC added. I would enjoy seeing pictures of several components just to determine what you have. If you would care to message me we can chat further. tcinlinc@yahoo.com

Tom Christmann (1789)
63 Corvette AC Guy

[Tom C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Harry,

You have some unique knowledge about 63 AC cars. Either you've been reading the judging guidelines very carefully or talking to my friend Dennis up in your part of the country.

Tom

[Alan D.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Tom, take a look at the C2 AC School scheduled for the Nationals, names are?

[James G.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

NEAT CAR. I like this tread. Great history here.

[Kelly W.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

Hello, I have a similar problem with an AC car I just purchased I have a May 11th Buildt car with no "x" but 490L. Everything looks to be correct as far as AC components, at least what is left of them. I would really appreciate any help you can give me.

[Dale C.]

Re: '63 SWC w/ A/C

As I continue my frame off restoration of my '63 SWC, I notice that in addition to the build number (202) which is hand written on numerous locations including the fire wall, fiberglass just ahead of rear wheels and the inside of both door panels, there are also the letters "EXX" hand written as well. This seems a little unusual. Does anybody out there have any idea what this might mean? My car's build date is 4/11/63 if that has any bearing on anything. I appreciate any input on this. Thank you.