1963 Trivia

[Sander B.]

ok here we go.

What was the initial reason that the early 63 cars had the deep under seat buckets

Sander,

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

No one knows. The speculation is:

1. It was for tools
2. It was to be a foot well for the four seat version
3. A place to hide your beer

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

I don't think this riddle has ever been solved. Has it ????

[Jack H.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

If I remember correctly, the UK chapter member with the SO coupe that went to the London Motor show had gotten a complete copy of the drawing package that supported his SO car. Further, one of the drawings in that package alluded to the 'power seat' option that was discontinued and never taken to production.

That would suggest that the 'tool box' cavities in the floor of the car below the seats on early '63 cars were there to support/contain power seat drive motor(s) that never came about. With there being so little room below the seat and the top of the floor in a C2 Corvette, you'd need to dig a 'hole' in the floor to accommodate a power seat actuating motor...

We DO see that the '63 Corvette is the only mid-year to have an adjustable seat frame allowing the seat to be canted relative to its fore/aft sliding frame rail. Perhaps, that was a design compromise resulting from the elimination of an initially planned power seat feature...

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

Good stuff, Jack. Never heard that theory.

[Philip C.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

ok here we go.

What was the initial reason that the early 63 cars had the deep under seat buckets

Sander,

Hi Sander there were plans to make the cars a four seater, thats why they call them foot wells. Phil 8063

[Clem Z.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

that is where the water that leaked in went.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

that is where the water that leaked in went.

HA!

The power seat explanation makes sense.

Syd

[Sander B.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

If I remember correctly, the UK chapter member with the SO coupe that went to the London Motor show had gotten a complete copy of the drawing package that supported his SO car. Further, one of the drawings in that package alluded to the 'power seat' option that was discontinued and never taken to production.

That would suggest that the 'tool box' cavities in the floor of the car below the seats on early '63 cars were there to support/contain power seat drive motor(s) that never came about. With there being so little room below the seat and the top of the floor in a C2 Corvette, you'd need to dig a 'hole' in the floor to accommodate a power seat actuating motor...

We DO see that the '63 Corvette is the only mid-year to have an adjustable seat frame allowing the seat to be canted relative to its fore/aft sliding frame rail. Perhaps, that was a design compromise resulting from the elimination of an initially planned power seat feature...

BINGO Jack Powerseats is the right answer

here some proof

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

Now that is cool ! Kind of unusual to provide for power seats on BOTH sides back then. Zora must have suggested we didn't need the extra mass in a race car !!

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

When my 63 was first restored in early 80's the exhaust system was bought from Chevrolet. Muffler was not welded to the rear pipes. So genius here bought nice new set of off the road exhaust that as you know have the mufflers welded to the rear pipes. Had them up in the attic for an eon. 20-25 yrs or so. Anyhow in 2006 when my 63, the LWC was re-restored I said to my pal. I will bring my NOS off the road exhaust to you to install.
Well because of the worthless footwells, tool boxes or whatever the exhaust would not fit. The pipes hit the tool boxes. I was crushed as I recall.
In an old issue of Cars and Parts there is a 63 silver coupe on the cover showing a 4 seater Corvette I do believe. The article said the tool box area was to be used for a foot well.
But I do like the power seat idea. JD

[Sander B.]

Re: 1963 Trivia

Here some more pictures of the powerseat drawing

Sander,