Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

[Sven C.]

Hi all. Just a question about 1963 Coupe fuel injected cars. When looking at these cars, are there any ways whatsoever to tell the difference between a car born as a fuel injected Coupe, as opposed to one that was originally a carburetor car and is now being offered as a fuel injected car? Thanks for your help.

[Joe R.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Sven,

1. Stamping on the block of RF
2. SN correct on the block with broach marks ? and correct characters used.
3. 63 Radiator support with the AC hole
4. Correct screws holding the AC to the radiator support
5. Correct attachment of the AC to the fender well
6. Correct FI distributor
7. Correct FI Unit as to production
8. FI Exhaust manifold
9. SN of the FI unit is consistent with known FI cars Serial numbers.
10.Tachometer has proper color Red Line

All of the above can be forged and have been forged. Would advise you to hire someone to view this 63 FI Coupe for verification before purchasing the vehicle. Good luck!

JR

[Ed S.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

If I recall a previous thread also identified a difference in the location of the fender cross flags. They had to move them to accommodate a desirable location for the "Fuel Injected" emblem that goes below it. Accordingly, the original holes where the cross flags were supposed to go were filled at the factory. A real fulie should have filled holes that can be seen from behind the fender - of course that could be forged as well.
Like they say, "in 1963 the General produced 2,610 Corvettes with the fuel injection option, and today only 3842 have survived".

[Loren L.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Ed, "bean counters" in St Louis in 1962/63 did not allow $$ for filling holes and redrilling; I suggest you contact your "source" and verify that he was born in 1993 and would really like to ride in one.

[Ed S.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Loren,

As I said, "I recalled from a previous thread" on this subject... please see comments # 5 & 6 in this thread: https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...Placement-1964. When I replied to Sven's question I did not recall that the discussion in the previous thread was for a '64, as opposed to a '63 that Sven asked about. Again - I was referring to information from other members. Also, don't understand your comment re someone being born in 1993.

[Dan H.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Ed, 63s were all in the same location, flags and FI emblems. 64s were FI only locations, same as 63 locations, carb cars flags were one inch farther forward on 64. No filling on any of them.
Dan

[Ed S.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Ed, 63s were all in the same location, flags and FI emblems. 64s were FI only locations, same as 63 locacations, carb cars flags were one inch farther forward on 64. No filling on any of them.
Dan

Dan, on behalf of all (especially me), thanks for clarifying.

[Bob R.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Another thing to look for on a real FI car, the factory had three holes to attach the FI emblem on the fender the rear hole should go through the return tab on the fire wall

[Michael G.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Joe is correct, everything can be changed. On a fake, every part may have been changed. There's really no way to tell a well-forged fake from an original. Nothing beats finding early owners to verify its history and original configuration, as usually someone who owned it in the 60's or 70's wouldn't have any reason to lie at this time...

[John D.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Another thing to look for on a real FI car, the factory had three holes to attach the FI emblem on the fender the rear hole should go through the return tab on the fire wall

Right now the hottest fuel injection car is the 63 fuel car. I have never seen so many at one time in my life. As Carlton told me they are coming out of the woodwork.
Since this is a private forum one might hope that what we say stays here. Sorta like a class I take at church.
Say the 63 fuel car is missing the front end. Say it has no engine. Or say it's just a body up on horses. Has no dash. No nothing but a body shell. There is one way you can tell if it's a fuel car or not.
Now afraid to type it. Sorry. Have enough 63's to restore.

Oops. Bob gave you the correct answer.

[Edward J.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Right now the hottest fuel injection car is the 63 fuel car. I have never seen so many at one time in my life. As Carlton told me they are coming out of the woodwork.
Since this is a private forum one might hope that what we say stays here. Sorta like a class I take at church.
Say the 63 fuel car is missing the front end. Say it has no engine. Or say it's just a body up on horses. Has no dash. No nothing but a body shell. There is one way you can tell if it's a fuel car or not.
Now afraid to type it. Sorry. Have enough 63's to restore.

Oops. Bob gave you the correct answer.

John, the way the factory drilled the holes there is likely no way someone can get the exact location, GM must have used a template to drill these holes and the one closest to the firewall is part of the firewall so unless its been replaced this hole will be with the corvette forever.and is likely the best way to find out if its a fuel car, its not to say it can not be duplicated.

[Michael G.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Ed, a long time ago, I used to design the fixtures that drilled similar body holes. It wasn't rocket science. The dimensions in the AIM are the same ones the designer in 1962 used to design the actual fixture, so they're certainly good enough to make an accurate duplicate fixture, if you're really serious about it. I could do it easily, (even today, 45 years after I designed my last fixture). Given the money involved, it wouldn't surprise me if someone had taken the trouble to do this. So, unfortunately, properly drilled holes (The relative locations of which I think may be what John is referring to) are not real evidence of anything.

Candidly, some of the "original" cars I've seen for sale lately are pretty easy to spot, just by emblem angle, and they're usually so far off you could put a second emblem under the first without encroaching on the body crease...

[Dan H.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Back in the 80s, I had an untouched 63 Coupe 340 HP car. The engine block had the 'F' ground out and an 'E' over stamped on top. Why, don't know. But, I love FI soooo, templated my buddies real FI vert for holes, and added the FI logo which was in perfect position due to the original flags, installed a 375 unit, poked out the three dimples where the air cleaner would mount, replaced the core support, and walla ! That unit still had it's wobble pump. Well, descided to go back stock, swapped everything back, and off to Copper Mountain National to get Judged. 1984, the Judges had a fit with me trying to tell them it was an original 340 car, however, restamp, filled holes etc. Hope the new owner was able to figure out that mess ?

[Michael G.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

Dan, I'm sure somebody used your filled holes as "evidence" of the original configuration of the car, so I'd guess that its now been repatriated with its 375 fuel unit and been a "real" fuelie through three or four owners...

Eventually, as with '67 big blocks, there will be a resurrected original fuelie for every existing fuel unit...I'm holding onto my two "spare" units until they go for $40 K each (probably next year)

I think I'm bucking the trend here: I just took the FI flags and FI unit off of a black/black '63 fuelie, painted it Sebring silver, put a silver interior in it added air, a 5 speed, power rack and pinion, disc brakes, and EFI. Its a car, not a CD, so I'm actually going to drive it around, not put it in a safe deposit box...

[James G.]

Re: Question about 1963 Coupe Fuel Injected Cars

I am still old fashion. PROVENANCE of ''WINDOW STICKER, DEALER PURCHASE ORDER, WARRANTEE BOOK, REGISTRATION AND TITLE''. Pictures of the owners and ''their'' story about the car will confirm all of the above.