63 Coupe vs Conv

[Ron W.]

I have got a 63 Coupe/ Split Window that was made on the last day of production per Birthday Book. I was just wondering if there is any way to find out if it might be the last Split Window made ?????

[Jay G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

I had a L-76 63 Ragtop early 90's. Was Vin 23,251 ( If my memory serves me well). During judging in 1997 was told it was buildt within last 3 days of production. Late car. One way is too look up how many buildt. Then calculate percentages of Rag top VS. Split window's. Compare your Vin to the last one. Then compare % of rag vs split may arrive a close number.

[Ron W.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Jay that must have been 21251 VIN as there was only 21513 total production in 63 and that would have been produced in the last three days of production. Thanks

[Wayne M.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

I have got a 63 Coupe/ Split Window that was made on the last day of production per Birthday Book. I was just wondering if there is any way to find out if it might be the last Split Window made ?????

As Jay has mentioned, you can apply the math (probablilities). Last day, huh ? As there were 21513 total coupes and convertibles, with a surprisingly close split (no pun intended) 49.25% were coupes. Probably doing 100 -105 total both body styles a day up to August 7th (?)

Another thing; the coupe was a new body style for '63; probably very much in demand early in the model year. But I'll bet the convertibles were coming on strong towards the end, and then maintaining their advantage over coupes 2:1 that we see in the following years.

I'd guess that your coupe would have a (very rough) 35% chance of being the last split made, only if your car is within the last (say 5) VINs.

But there are strange unexplicable things that affect this -- maybe a shortage of the split rear panel ?, rear glass, etc.

In the 1965 model year, there were many convertibles in the last 20 or so cars; more than the overall model year body style ratio. Blame it on dealer orders in the spring [young man's fancy, etc.] .

[Jay G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Jay that must have been 21251 VIN as there was only 21513 total production in 63 and that would have been produced in the last three days of production. Thanks

Yup, Along w/ my knees memory going. Youre right. She was 21,251. Ck around Last/First cars seem to have a history. Vin 21513 as Wayne said may be known.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Hello,

Jay, was your '63 convertible a Red/Red 340 4spd?
I have it recorded in my '63 research file.

Ron, what is the serial number of your SWC. I might have it recorded as well. You can email me if you don't want it shown.

Syd

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Wayne,

'63 production was up to Aug. 8 according to my records, with the help of the L. Brooks registry of the late 70's which had the last '63 #21,513 recorded.

Larry had the notation that #21,513 had "Written Back of Dash" - last job 8 Aug 1963 at 6pm.

Syd

[Jay G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Hello,

Jay, was your '63 convertible a Red/Red 340 4spd?
I have it recorded in my '63 research file.

Ron, what is the serial number of your SWC. I might have it recorded as well. You can email me if you don't want it shown.

Syd

Syd, Was a numbers car. Red on Black, Org. 4-speed. BUT Had "UGLY" Velour seat inserts done 70's. Could be red int. Now. Org. Colo car. Sold it to a guy (Local const worker) at DIA. He returned to Cape May NJ with it. Last I heard.

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

What is the BODY NUMBER shown on your Trim Tag?? What is your VIN??

Coupes and convertibles each had their own body numbering sequence. According to the GM production numbers I have, the total number of 1963 coupes was 10,594 and the total number of convertibles was 10,919. Total of 21,513 cars. All bodies were made at St Louis. Therefore, I would think that the last coupe should have Body Number 10594.

I then checked Noland's Book on Corvette Restoration, and he reports on Page 40 that the number of known convertible bodies was 11,036 and that the number of known coupe bodies was 10,592. He also lists the corresponding VINs of #30867S121513 for the convertible and #30837S121476 for the coupe.

How does your car compare??

Once AOS started production during the 1964 model year, things got even more complicated.

Larry

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Hi Larry,

You are correct about the Body numbers. This is one of the reasons I record 63's and try to include the Body number whenever possible.

With the last '63 made being a Convertible with Body #11,036, and the total reported production of Convertibles for '63 being 10,919, what happened to the other 117 cars??

Syd

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 Coupe vs Conv

Hi Larry,

You are correct about the Body numbers. This is one of the reasons I record 63's and try to include the Body number whenever possible.

With the last '63 made being a Convertible with Body #11,036, and the total reported production of Convertibles for '63 being 10,919, what happened to the other 117 cars??

Syd

Noland wasn't even sure what happened. Someone who is a little closer to this issue than I am needs to "weigh in" and provide guidence. I haven't a clue.

Larry