New Member 1963 Fuelie S-tube Question
I have been lurking about on the Forum for about 6 months and finally signed up this week. This website is a fountain of knowlege and seems to be a whole lot friendlier and cordially professional than others I have visited.
A while back I purchased a 1963 early F.I. SWC with BW T-10. Since it first came out when I was in high school in Whittier, CA, I've loved this body style. My next door neighbor had one and really took it apart. I was younger than he was and thought his work was great. Now I look back and think what a mistake he made modifying it.
This is my fifth Corvette, having ordered a new 1973 coupe from Harry Mann in 1972, a 1992 coupe, a 1995 coupe, a 2001 convert and now the 1963. Most everything on the 63 seems to line up. I looked at all the threads on engine stamps and broach marks, casting dates, transmission codes and stamps and have a signed copy of Noland Adams' book and studied those well before the purchase. Seems all the critical items are there...even the radiator support with the bumps at the horns, the all steel F.I. AC, correct adaptor for the FI, Distributor, window glass and on. I even learned to look at where the FI emblems were mounted (particularly the driver's side) and to check for the AC brace bracket inside the driver's fender to make sure it didn't have undercoat on it, and it didn't. It was a full frame off restoration by a gentleman in the San Francisco Bay area between 1994-5 and pretty much hasn't been touched since. The fiberglass all looks to be original with remnants of the seam sealers and the birdcage has a little bit of normal surface rust on it and from what I could see from the front vents, underdash on both sides with gloveox removed and inspection plates at the rear tires, most everything looks OK and it doesn't leak!! My 1973 leaked. There were a few little things not correct (Well by NCRS Top Flight Stds. a lot of little things) like an aftermarket cassette radio and stereo speaker, dull wipers, bolts and some clamps etc. that I am now fixing. Found a nice old early 63 radio and had it serviced along with a correct speaker and it sounds like it did when I was in high school. Shows well although I would not categorize the paint as show quality. Has some road dings and a few little stress cracks here and there at corners of headlight doors, c-pillar vents, etc. Not noticeable from four feet away. I'm going to drive it just like it is.
I really learned alot from this discussion board more than from anywhere else I looked. You guys are great and I look forward to more learning and participation in the future. I ordered my shipping report and look forward to finding out where it was first delivered.
I do have a question and haven't been able through research to find out where to get a 63 FI AC S-tube clamp. Looks like they either misplaced it or left it off. I've seen discussions but didn't really see who offers them for sale. Jack Podell? Any help or direction pointers anyone can offer would be appreciated. Thanks again for a great site.
Tom Remillard
A while back I purchased a 1963 early F.I. SWC with BW T-10. Since it first came out when I was in high school in Whittier, CA, I've loved this body style. My next door neighbor had one and really took it apart. I was younger than he was and thought his work was great. Now I look back and think what a mistake he made modifying it.
This is my fifth Corvette, having ordered a new 1973 coupe from Harry Mann in 1972, a 1992 coupe, a 1995 coupe, a 2001 convert and now the 1963. Most everything on the 63 seems to line up. I looked at all the threads on engine stamps and broach marks, casting dates, transmission codes and stamps and have a signed copy of Noland Adams' book and studied those well before the purchase. Seems all the critical items are there...even the radiator support with the bumps at the horns, the all steel F.I. AC, correct adaptor for the FI, Distributor, window glass and on. I even learned to look at where the FI emblems were mounted (particularly the driver's side) and to check for the AC brace bracket inside the driver's fender to make sure it didn't have undercoat on it, and it didn't. It was a full frame off restoration by a gentleman in the San Francisco Bay area between 1994-5 and pretty much hasn't been touched since. The fiberglass all looks to be original with remnants of the seam sealers and the birdcage has a little bit of normal surface rust on it and from what I could see from the front vents, underdash on both sides with gloveox removed and inspection plates at the rear tires, most everything looks OK and it doesn't leak!! My 1973 leaked. There were a few little things not correct (Well by NCRS Top Flight Stds. a lot of little things) like an aftermarket cassette radio and stereo speaker, dull wipers, bolts and some clamps etc. that I am now fixing. Found a nice old early 63 radio and had it serviced along with a correct speaker and it sounds like it did when I was in high school. Shows well although I would not categorize the paint as show quality. Has some road dings and a few little stress cracks here and there at corners of headlight doors, c-pillar vents, etc. Not noticeable from four feet away. I'm going to drive it just like it is.
I really learned alot from this discussion board more than from anywhere else I looked. You guys are great and I look forward to more learning and participation in the future. I ordered my shipping report and look forward to finding out where it was first delivered.
I do have a question and haven't been able through research to find out where to get a 63 FI AC S-tube clamp. Looks like they either misplaced it or left it off. I've seen discussions but didn't really see who offers them for sale. Jack Podell? Any help or direction pointers anyone can offer would be appreciated. Thanks again for a great site.
Tom Remillard
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