1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

[Gary T.]

Just a couple of months ago, I purchased a '64 Stingray that I purposely hunted down, to ensure the exact match to the one that I owned over 50 years ago! (Sadly, that one was soon completely totalled by the young lad who bought it from me, otherwise it would have been a challenging search to locate & buy it back).
Specifically, the exact match was river red exterior, red interior, white convertible top, 327 4 speed, side exhaust & to be original (number's matching).

Now that I am a bit older, I have to admit that I find the side exhaust overly loud, so I decided I would buy & install a rear exhaust system. Well, it didn't take long to realize that there are no exhaust ports/bezels in the body of this car.

My question to the Group is: will I risk devaluing my car should I do the required alterations? My gut says probably & so it may simply be cheaper to invest in two sets of ear plugs (my wife is also on board).

[Hank D.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

Hello Gary and welcome. 63 and 64 cars were delivered from the factory with under-car exhaust. Side pipes became were an available option in 1965.

[Don H.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

Gary
earplugs would be cheaper and easier. But if you decide to shed the pipes, there will be no risk of devaluing. 64s never came with pipes.
They didnt appear until early in the 65 MY. So, find a good used OEM rear valance and replacement fender lower tabs, and start to work removing and restoring back to undercar exhaust. Good luck
And welcome to the club and the TDB,

whoops, sorry about that Hank, I typed too slow (and too much...)

[Bob R.]

[Harry S.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

Gary, several body, birdcage and possibly frame alterations were probably made to install the side pipes. Research all that you need to repair before you start. It's more than just the pipes.

[Dan A.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

hunted down, to ensure the exact match to the one that I owned over 50 years ago!
Specifically, the exact match was river red exterior, red interior, white convertible top, 327 4 speed, side exhaust & to be original (number's matching).

Just for curiosity sake. Can you narrow down exactly when you purchased that first red/red with side pipe Corvette? 50 years ago would put it around 1970. Which means it was used when you bought it. Is that accurate?

[Gary T.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

Dan, yes I purchased my first '64 on July 3d, 1970 (still have the Bill of Sale) from a guy who had retired it from the quarter mile drag strips here in Ontario, Canada. Where he got it, I never knew or even asked back then.
By the way, the serial number was 40867 S 102053 & I paid $3,400.00 Canadian dollars for it.
From all of the helpful comments made, it looks like I'll be searching for some good earplugs......

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1964 with factory installed side exhaust...Question?

A friend has discussed this with a well-known restorer here in the Midwest.
It's about $5000 all-in to add side exhaust, and about the same to remove them. Your net cost to remove them "may" then decrease by however much money you recoup selling the side exhaust parts and rear panel.

Food for thought.