Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

[Ted S.]

My SWC was born the second week in May of 1963. Over the years and a half dozen owners, some repairs of course were done.

Headlight buckets--mine has one metal and one glass bucket. I assume this happened as one was replaced. However, is there a chance that the factory used both types? And (slimmer chance) would the factory have installed one of each as the production was nearing the end? Grasping for straws here, but perhaps someone has an answer? Thanks in advance.

[David D.]

Re: Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

Welcome....

I'm no expert but I can't imagine GM installing one metal and one glass bucket.

I think mine are glass, but now I'm curious and will check tomorrow. Unless someone in the know informs both of us.

Good Luck and enjoy,
David

[Louis T.]

Re: Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

Hi Ted,

Welcome aboard.

Here's a thread about when the design changeover occurred:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=52309&highlight=headlight+buckets&uid=9788

If you search the archives, there may be other threads that relate to your question, as well.

Good luck!

Louis

[Joe L.]

Re: Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

My SWC was born the second week in May of 1963. Over the years and a half dozen owners, some repairs of course were done.

Headlight buckets--mine has one metal and one glass bucket. I assume this happened as one was replaced. However, is there a chance that the factory used both types? And (slimmer chance) would the factory have installed one of each as the production was nearing the end? Grasping for straws here, but perhaps someone has an answer? Thanks in advance.

Ted-----


I don't think that any 1963 Corvettes used metal headlight panels. There were 2 different style panels, early being GM #3827429 and 3827430 and late being 3848035 and 3848036. However, I believe both styles were fiberglass. The latter set replaced the earlier set for all 1963 SERVICE in 1964

In 1966, the GM #3848035 and 3848036 were discontinued from SERVICE and replaced by GM #3869033 and 3869034. These were SERVICE-only assemblies which included the ends and other parts and applicable only to 1963 models. I THINK these were metal panels. So, if your car had any front end damage after 1966 and required a replacement headlamp assembly, GM would have supplied the 3869033/3869034.

Keep in mind that LOTS of Corvettes suffered front end damage and required "crash parts". I'm sure that GM sold lots of these headlamp assemblies and components thereof.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

NO WAY, Didnt happen.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Greetings--new to the Forum--First question

I drove under the back of a truck in 75, hit a deer in 92. In both cases (or should I say crashes), the fiberglass buckets were saved. The impact damaged the panels around the headlights (nose and fenders) and the buckets didn't take any sharp blows to crack or gouge them such that they couldn't be easily repaired. My first accident I blame on cold J65 brakes. The second was during rutting season and this nice 215 lb Buck was being chased by two Doe - go figure.

I've done the "refridgerator magnet" test on many 63's and haven't found any that didn't pass.

Stu Fox