Early 1963 Hardtops

[Frank B.]

All:

I'm interested in definitively understanding the correct characteristics of an early '63 hardtop. I'm assuming yellow fiberglass is an indicator. Plus, I look for the tabs and rivets on the rear window stainless steel exterior trim. I believe that the early '63 hardtops did not have these tabs at the centerline, whatsoever. Also, the trim inside was incomplete. Please advise; I'm very interested in learning what's correct for an early '63 (<S.N.4,500). Thanks, Everybody

Regards,
Frank

[Joe R.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Frank,

Yellow fiberglass, I call it white fiberglass but I guess it can be called anything it will answer to!!!!

The rear window would not have any tabs or screws at the centerline.

Right were the door closes at the bottom of the fiberglass the early 63's will have a notch for about two to two & one half inches.

And a dated rear window plexiglass dated in mid 62!

That's all I can remember,

JR

[Frank B.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Thanks, Joe....you're response is very helpful. I thought that early '63s didn't have the notch yet?

Regards,
Frank

[Harry S.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

The Auxiliary Hardtop for 1963-1964 models had three distinct designs.

Design One: At the startup of 1963 production the auxiliary hardtop had a notch cut in the bottom, each side, to give greater clearance above the door. This design was present until approximately March 1963.

Design Two: For cars built in approximately April, May and June 1963 the notch in the auxiliary hardtop is not present.

Design three: For cars built approximately near the end of June 1963 until the end of 1963 production and all 1964 production the notch in the auxiliary hardtop is not present and rear window reinforcing brackets are present at the upper center and lower center of the rear Plexiglas.

[Joe R.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Harry,

The notched tops were available all the way into the 64 production year as I have at least one documented 1964 owner that purchased his top across the counter after his 1964 was delivered.
I'm sure Michael Hanson remembers Jerry DeVires 1964 red FI with the 63 top from the many Bloomington Golds it received thru the years.

JR

[Wayne W.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

And from my observation there was a time when the tops may have had only one reinforcement bracket installed.

[Brian W.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

I have an early '63 hardtop removed from car number 74X. It does not have the notches or any rear window clips. Also I had a '64 top that had the notches and 2 rear clips.

[Frank B.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Gentlemen,

Thanks- Joe, Harry, Wayne and Brian

Your comments are very helpful. From my research, I've found that very early tops (into December '62) did not have the notch, nor rivets. The notch started in December '62 with an upper rivet possibly starting slightly earlier than that. Apparently all '64s have the notch, then it was removed. My car is a November '62 build, so I think it should not have notches or rivets. Again, greatly appreciate it.

Regards,
Frank

[Harry S.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Frank, keep doing the research. The only way to verify a hardtop is original to a car is to remove the inside trim and look at the chalk marks. You will see the job sequence number. This number should match the job sequence number on the engine side, passenger side firewall, the doors and behind the gas tank. The chalk marks will also have what color the top is to be painted. The color should match the exterior body color.

On my research I verified the job sequence number and the color. If either do not match then you can't use the data. You also can't use any hardtop that came from Chevy as a service replacement.

Over the years hardtops have been bought, sold, modified and swapped. Also, dealers would order a C2 with a hardtop for the showroom floor and sell it without the top. It would sit at the dealership and be sold with another car if the buyer wanted a hardtop.

Saying that, while judging if I see a late 63 to 67 with the notch, it's a point deduction. Or an early 63 without the notch.

[Frank B.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Harry,

I agree with everything you have stated, but I am puzzled by the last two sentences. Late '63s and all 64s have the notch; why would you deduct points? Also, early 63's don't have the notch; why would you deduct points for a pre-December '62 car not having notches? I'm sure I'm missing something, here. Thanks

[Harry S.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Harry,

I agree with everything you have stated, but I am puzzled by the last two sentences. Late '63s and all 64s have the notch; why would you deduct points? Also, early 63's don't have the notch; why would you deduct points for a pre-December '62 car not having notches? I'm sure I'm missing something, here. Thanks

Late 63's and all 64 to 67 do NOT have the notch. only 63's up until around March have the notch

[Michael H.]

Re: Early 1963 Hardtops

Frank,

Harry's info/timeline is dead on accurate. We have to remember that over the decades, a LOT of tops have been switched from car to car. Even worse is the fact that many were restored with new or redated rear windows.

The original confusion came from previous 63-64 JG's. That problem has been corrected.