Split window question

[Steve B.]

I have heard that when the 64s came out that some 63 owners removed the split window and put a 64 style rear window in its place to improve visability and to make the car look like the current model. Was there a GM bulletin in 64 instructing owners on how to do this? Thanks in advance.

[Bob J.]

Re: Split window question

None from GM that I've seen or heard about.
That conversion was featured in many magazines, especially the customizing ones.
Michael Hanson showed me one in his collection 20 years ago.

[Steve B.]

Re: Split window question

Thanks Bob. Maybe Michael will see this and post one of those articles.

[Tom B.]

Re: Split window question

There were many custom Stingrays in the custom car magazines in '63 and up. The customizing didn't stop at the rear window either. Check archives for Car Craft (it was a custom car magazine then) Rod and Custom, Customs Illustrated and any number of long since vanished titles for custom Corvettes. So many of these '63s were converted to '64 rear windows along with flares, filled in headlights, custom interiors and on and on that at one time there was a company that made a rear window bar to restore them back to split windows. This was in the '70s or early '80s. I can't remember the company but it was in some of the early Corvette magazines. for a short time.

[Joe R.]

Re: Split window question

Bob,

I think these photos were originally posted by Michael Hanson. Here they are:





Joe

[Bob J.]

Re: Split window question

Joe,

thanks, those are the ones I had in mind.

He has another mag showing a 63 Z06 getting customized also.

[Joe R.]

Re: Split window question

Bob,

You're welcome. I have those filed under "ill advised." I'd be interested in seeing 63 Z06 article, too.

Joe

[Steve B.]

Re: Split window question

Joe,
Thanks for posting the article. I would also love to see the ZO6 article.
Steve

[Michael H.]

Re: Split window question

Bob,

I think these photos were originally posted by Michael Hanson. Here they are:





Joe

Thanks Joe. I was just about to start looking for the pic's.

[John D.]

Re: Split window question

In the 60's I used to hang out at a Chevy Dealer in New Alexandria, PA. Grabiak Chevrolet was a huge Corvette dealer.(about an hour from Yenko's) The body shop foreman was the owners brother and a real pack rat. Old Floyd Grabiak had a collection of various color 63 Split T's hanging in his office. The body shop hacked up many 63 Coupes in the old days with 64 up rear window parts.
Story: Floyd had a stack of 63 hoods and grilles the shop had collected. I mean a huge stack of them sitting outside the shop. The hoods were for sale for $20.00 each. No one wanted those fake louvered hoods in the old days. Finally after they sat there for several years they all were scrapped.
It was typical for a 63 to have a later rear window and a 65 style hood in the old days. I have always kicked myself for not buying those'63 hoods as I could have retired by now. LOL JD

[Jim T.]

Re: Split window question

referencing huge stacks, I have wondered about stacks of original mufflers and pipes being removed from new Corvettes at Effingham,IL Corvette gathering every year being worth a few dollars years from now.

[Ray K.]

Re: Split window question

Steve,

I checked a couple of my old P & A catalogs for a part number for the one piece '64 rear window kit but did not find one.
However, it is my recollection that GM did in fact offer a part number kit to install a '64 back glass into a '63 split window. This was probably published in either a Chev Service Bulletin or a P & A Parts Bulletin. It is possible that the bulletin may have denoted just the '64 part numbers ( back glass, etc ) to do the installation and then related the procedure on how to do it. I always saw the parts bulletins but sometimes not the service bulletins.

Ray

[Steve B.]

Re: Split window question

Steve,

I checked a couple of my old P & A catalogs for a part number for the one piece '64 rear window kit but did not find one.
However, it is my recollection that GM did in fact offer a part number kit to install a '64 back glass into a '63 split window. This was probably published in either a Chev Service Bulletin or a P & A Parts Bulletin. It is possible that the bulletin may have denoted just the '64 part numbers ( back glass, etc ) to do the installation and then related the procedure on how to do it. I always saw the parts bulletins but sometimes not the service bulletins.

Ray

Ray,
Thanks for checking. I wish I could remember who told me about the bulletin and where it was published. It's nice to know that someone has heard of this.
Steve