63 Coupe Door Jamb Gap Between Upper Birdcage and Fiberglass Lock Pillar

[Frederick H.]

In observing Michael's '63 Z06, it correctly shows the gap with rivets in the upper door jam area between the bird cage and lock pillar cover (photo attached) His is a later car (May if I remember correctly for today's observer judging). I do not see this gap on my '63 Coupe and could not find a reference in the judging manual, so I referred to Noland Adam's book and it states that this gap was filled in until around S/N 11,000. My VIN is 11,068. If anyone has a VIN prior to 11,000 (or close to), I would be grateful if you could share a photo or just confirm whether yours has the gap/indentation. Judges, shout out if you have encountered this in judging and how you scored. Sorry - the photo was of Brian Bailey's Z06 car but Michael's red '63 had the same feature.

Thanks in Advance.

[Duke W.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Jamb Gap Between Upper Birdcage and Fiberglass Lock Pillar

My SWC's Vin (I'm the original owner) is less than 100 short of 11,000. It originally was as in the photo, but I filled it in and finished it off because I thought it looked crude.

I have the dealer copy of the production order, and I recall the actual build date was March 16. If the photo car didn't go down the final assembly line on the same day as mine, they must have gone down on consecutive days.

Duke

[Frederick H.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Jamb Gap Between Upper Birdcage and Fiberglass Lock Pillar

Thanks for the response Duke. The white car in the photo had a May build date so it was well past the 11,000 VIN.

[Michael H.]

Re: 63 Coupe Door Jamb Gap Between Upper Birdcage and Fiberglass Lock Pillar

I was a little surprised that more ‘63 owners haven’t weighed in on this issue. I have a ‘63 above VIN 19000 with no apparent rear jamb gap or exposed rivets. But the car was repainted (perhaps more than once) before I bought it, so I don’t how it was originally configured. Like Frederick, I don’t see any reference to this issue in the ‘63-‘64 Judging Guide (although i’ve read the Noland Adams’ depiction that Frederick describes). Has it been definitively established that later ‘63’s should evidence an unfinished gap and exposed rivets?