1963...When did A/C first appear?

[Tom C.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Bob,

Your car has been on my list since before the fire. And if you recall I purchased some parts off what was left. Hope you and Lynn have a wonderful holiday.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

In an earlier post Tom mentioned that the first A/C cars has an A/C instruction sticker from a passenger car on the inside of the glove box door. Here is a picture of that sticker. What is interesting is that the Heat and Cold knobs on the Corvette are IN & OUT not UP & DOWN, so following this sticker was somewhat confusing.
Ken

[Tom C.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Thanks for sharing that sticker Ken. I have a picture of the later one which started at about VIN 19000. I also have a copy of the original instruction card used, but have never been able to determine a date of use as only a few exist (I let my original go with the car it came from, but I can tell you it was in the 17000 range).

It was mentioned earlier by Loren that there is an original owner car out there, maybe we'll get lucky and get another VIN and instruction card!

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

quote=Tom Christmann (1789)

Syd:

16430 is a coupe, 936A and 490XC. 15111 was on the Brooks survey, but I later ran across an owner and spoke to them personally. From my notes I determined it was an air car, Trim 490L (pre X). I have a couple other 898 cars after 16000 and now that I spend some time looking, am inclined to speculate that no 898 cars had an X. I would need to study on this a little more, and will try to focus on saddle interior air cars to get a definitive answer. Maybe we'll hear from some other owner out there. 63/air/saddle interior...let's hear from you on what your trim code is?[/quot

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Tom,

The trim tag picture used as an example for 1963 in the tech manual and JG is also a good example of the 'X' code.

The picture shows Red/Red '63 Convertible Trim 490XD with Body #10,896.
I guess this is '63 #21,274 with a/c, automatic and hardtop ??
Same car?

I suspect it would also have the 'DD' serial tag making this car even more special.

Syd

[Tom C.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

That car has been around a long time. It was on the Brooks survey, later on Noland's, and I talked to an owner in the 90's. I do not have any notes on the serial tag.

[Max H.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Sydney

Long time no talk , I am restoing one of my Air cars , do you know if the air cleaner was flat black or semi- gloss black?

Also one my my air cars ( 63 convertible , with factory air 4 speed and tan interior) has a primer tag , which means the car was ordered without any factory paint. Any idea how many cars were ordered this way in 63 ?

I was able to talk to the 2nd owner and he told me the 1st owner was a lady out of MS who was married to a Superme Court Judge . I am waiting on photos from early 60's and some other documents.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Sydney

Long time no talk , I am restoing one of my Air cars , do you know if the air cleaner was flat black or semi- gloss black?

Also one my my air cars ( 63 convertible , with factory air 4 speed and tan interior) has a primer tag , which means the car was ordered without any factory paint. Any idea how many cars were ordered this way in 63 ?

I was able to talk to the 2nd owner and he told me the 1st owner was a lady out of MS who was married to a Superme Court Judge . I am waiting on photos from early 60's and some other documents.

Hi Max,

I believe the air cleaner should be gloss black but I'm sure one of the experts will chime in and confirm. Not flat black for sure.

I don't know how many 63's were ordered in PRIMER.
To date, I have 3 cars listed in my '63 file showing Primer. Is your a/c car #!8,439?

Syd

[Claus S.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

I wonder if any of the Corvette parts makers will ever make the outer evaporator housing for the the 1963-1967 Corvette?
They make all other AC parts except the outer evaporator housing

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Does anyone have # 17,352, a silver with black interior 63 conv with A/C?

[Michael M.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Did you guys have this car listed. It sold on E-Bay a few years ago. Mike

[Tom C.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Michael,

It has been on my survey for some time. At one time Fred Sadowski owned it (guy who had the heart attach at Cypress Gardens). The car is now in Florida.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Michael,

It has been on my survey for some time. At one time Fred Sadowski owned it (guy who had the heart attach at Cypress Gardens). The car is now in Florida.

Thanks Tom. I have a little more history on the #17,352 car if the current owner is interested.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Does anyone have # 17,352, a silver with black interior 63 conv with A/C?

Hi Michael,

I've never seen #17,352 but it was recorded by L. Brooks in the late 70's.
Brooks had it listed as a Silver/Black 300hp AUTO conv with PB and PW.
He made NO mention of A/C.

Syd

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Did you guys have this car listed. It sold on E-Bay a few years ago. Mike

Mike,

I had #14,963 listed in my file as a wreck/project car, as shown.

Syd

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963...When did A/C first appear?

Hi Michael,

I've never seen #17,352 but it was recorded by L. Brooks in the late 70's.
Brooks had it listed as a Silver/Black 300hp AUTO conv with PB and PW.
He made NO mention of A/C.

Syd

Hi Sid,

I know the car from about 1975 and it was A/C at that time. Bob Sindelar owned it. He may have more history on the car. It was PINK when he owned it. Really.