'63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

[Carmen R.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Jason:

Thanks for the pictures. Since your car is not supposed to have hood wedges that's a good thing.

I may not have described the hood support area too well. The hood hinges would be the same on both sides.

I was referring to the hood support. The part that holds the hood open. The section on the inner fender that the hood support bracket bolts to is a flat area. Yours of course is on the pass. side. Later C2's, I believe 66 and 67's had the flat area for the hood support on the driver's side. I have seen a 63 with a later inner fender that had the flat mounting area on the driver's side. Obviously not correct.

My car was built a few weeks before your's (Dec.12/12/62) and I'm going through the exact same experience as you.

What are you doing with your car? Restoration or just tidying up some minor issues?

It would be nice to hear from the more experienced/knowledgeable members.

Good luck.

[Carmen R.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

There are a few other things I forgot to mention, while you're checking the front end.

Have a look at your horns.

The diver's side will have the last 3 part numbers stamped on the horn (455-low note)

The pass.side (456- high note). These are also both date coded.

If that's what you have, you're in good shape. They are rare and hard to come by.

If you get the headlight motors off, check the dates. It might give you an indication if it came from a donor car or perhaps a service replacement. I know they were available over the counter in the late 70's, but I'm guessing not much longer after that. I imagine it's very difficult if not impossible to check these dates on the car. I've never tried.

I can't think of anything else. Perhaps others can help you out if you require more info.

[Jason S.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Carmen,
Now I understand your question about the hood support better - refer to the pics below.


Regarding "What are you doing with your car? Restoration or just tidying up some minor issues?".
That is a funny story that has been snowballing on itself.
This process began after I discovered a leak in the front-to-rear brake line, forcing a brake line replacement.
I'm sure as you know - the most "proper" way to replace the line is to lift the body.
When I realized this is what I wanted to do, I realized this would be the time to also replace the fuel line, which also requires lifting the body.
So....then I figured....I wanted to go through the suspension and replace bushings anyway, and clean and paint or powdercoat this part and that part. This is also much easier when the body is out of the way........
Now.......I was walking down the path of restoring the chassis.
And then.......why would I want to put a mediocre body (last sprayed in 1977) back on a nicely restored chassis?
This drove me going down the path of fixing old fiberglass issues and doing a proper respray back to Daytona Blue.........
And then all of that led to chasing down any date-coded parts that were no longer correct on the car........
I'm sure this is a familiar story to some!

I'll take a look at the horns when I have a chance.

Jason

[Carmen R.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Jason:

A lot of "full frame off restorations" have started this way.

It'll start off with a minor repair, and then you start digging further and remove a few more parts, and a few more until your car is pretty well apart. And then what?

I've been there before and finally resigned myself to a full restoration. So far, no regrets. I, by no means want to influence your decision.

It's time to take a break, stand back and take a good hard look at what you plan to do.

Don't forget. This is our hobby. We enjoy doing this and it's fun.

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Consider this ----> http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORVETTE-196...NYQIGS&vxp=mtr

[Bob J.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Consider this ----> http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORVETTE-196...NYQIGS&vxp=mtr

I thought he needed a LEFT headlight housing.
His pic shows a fiberglass right.
Bob Jorjorian

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

I thought he needed a LEFT headlight housing.
His pic shows a fiberglass right.
Bob Jorjorian

Bob, I look at his pictures and see right side. So I'm unsure what he really needs.

See ya in Lakeland!

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Here are pics of the passenger side headlamp and bezel from and early car (3922):

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Here are pics of the passenger side headlamp and bezel from and early car (3922):

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

In my last post is a pic of a partially disassembled 63 passenger headlight bucket. You'll note the large, sort of oval, bracket attached to the bucket to which the two headlamp retaining cups are attached. The one on my blue car (in the pic) is black with blue overspray, the one in an earlier post is red. I have two others that are black. Can someone tell me what color these things are supposed to be...Thanks,

[Marco H.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

In my last post is a pic of a partially disassembled 63 passenger headlight bucket. You'll note the large, sort of oval, bracket attached to the bucket to which the two headlamp retaining cups are attached. The one on my blue car (in the pic) is black with blue overspray, the one in an earlier post is red. I have two others that are black. Can someone tell me what color these things are supposed to be...Thanks,

They are dipped black and installed after the body paint process. There fore should be without any body color overspray.

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Thanks Marco, are the nylon adjusters riveted on before the black dip? The black brackets I have seem to have orange adjusters.

[Harry S.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Please look at the picture I posted. The pod is black and the adjusters are red. The only difference to the original is that I did not remove the springs prior to painting. They were added after the black paint as were the red adjusters. Therefore the spring should be natural color not black. But to remove the springs and rivet them back on was too much work and a potential to cause damage.

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Fiberglass Headlamp Buckets - vs Die Cast Replacements

Thanks Harry, not sure how I missed the pic in your post, oh well.

I already broke one of the red adjusters, barely touched it. Sometimes those old plastics are pretty brittle. I also hate riveting. Now I'm afraid to stretch the spring. Should have left this thing alone...