Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
I was looking through YAHOO, and I saw they had a video about Jay Leno's '63 FI split window coupe. It appears to be a very nice car, but I wonder about a few things the guy that restored it said. Among other things, he said the '63 Corvette had "swing axles" and talked about the right side rear view mirror. I have never seen a Corvette with two outside mirrors, although I am not any kind of an expert of split windows. There were a couple of other gaffes' that I noticed. Do you think this was a result of "TV production requirements", or if this guy was as clueless as he might have appeared.
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Dennis -
That was Jay that mentioned the right side mirror, and the "swing axles" comment from Mike was probably just from nervousness and the unscripted no-rehearsal format. Mike is an outstanding restorer, and is also one of the foremost original Cobra restorers on the planet. -
Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Did not see this as yet, but if I recall; there is no GM made side view mirror (that matches the LH mirror) that will mount in a normal position, that will adjust for a proper view from the driver's seat - and certainly not one that was curved to give you a panoramic view. That situation was still true for my 72 Nova SS that I had to buy aftermarket mirrors for. The Corvettes didn't have the reinforcements under the door skin either. This is one reason I bought my new 63 Convertible instead of the split window due to lack of visibility. I once drove a 59 Pontiac convertible loaded with 3 GI's and their luggage back from NM to WI with the top up and no LH side view mirror. It was the worst experience of my young life and greatly influenced my Vette rag top purchase decision. I love driving with the top down even here in Florida for that reason.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
I watched the video, the Corvette restorer is Mike McCloskey. The cobra restorer is Mike McCluskey, McCluskey painted my cobra and I know he has restored at least 1 of the original Grand Sports.Comment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
I did an interview after a friend purchased an LS6 at an auction in Nocona, TX. There was a person with a microphone above my head, two camera people and the interviewer. There was another guy with a big light and one more with a big silver shield of some sort. When the light went on and the interviewer asked the first question, my mouth felt the Sahara Desert, I could hear humming in my ears and I just wanted to take off running. I don't ever want to see that interview.
KramdenKramdenComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Hope this works
1972 LT-1 Elkhart Green CoupeComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Just to clarify for those watching the video, Tod (Martin Milner) completed the last four episodes of Season Three of ROUTE 66 driving a 1963 Stingray convertible. The season began with he and Buz (George Maharis) in a '62 vette. The Corvettes on the TV series changed with each model year.Comment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Great video upload, Roy. Thanks. Like others have said; the only flubs were the "swing axle" comment, and Jay's comment about a right side mirror being available as a $12.00 option, even though it was behind the windshield pillar. Now that May have been true during his car's production (think he said December 62), but I know it wasn't listed in April 63 when I ordered. Mine too has the taller mirror (July 63). Otherwise it was a great presentation. I did think the underhood shots looked kind of like airbrushed or photo shopped - not real. Maybe it was just my iPad.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Enjoyed the video and always Jay Leno as he has done so much for the hobby. Not just Corvettes but the car hobby in general. Also, we now know who was on the 63-64 Judging Manual revision team!!!!!!!
JRComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Thanks Roy for allowing us to watch the video. I have a large flat screen TV monitor so was able to look at the car in detail. Nice job. Did see a possible gas leak though on the passenger side fuel bowl.
Took forever for me to watch as I kept going back and forth.
My personal story is similiar to Jay's. I first saw a 63 Coupe at the GM Training center outside Pittsburgh in the summer of '62. Fell in love with the '63 and said some day I will have one.
His Corvette really runs well which is commendable. Mike did a nice job. Wonder why it took Jay so long to get a 63 FI car? Thanks again, JohnComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
You '63 guys (and others) may find this other 18 minute video of Jay sitting down with Mr. Pete Brock and discussing his book on the Corvette, lots of interesting archival pictures from someone who "was there"
i learned something new by watching it, maybe some of you will too !
1972 LT-1 Elkhart Green CoupeComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
Just an update. Jay is having the engine rebuilt on his '63. The Corvette part of the video starts at about 6:35 and goes for a little over 2 minutes:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoYeoh_uLAY&t=672sComment
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Re: Jay Leno's 63 FI coupe
The '63 340/360 HP engines were built with the old Duntov cam that dated to the 1957/57 265/283 small port head era.
Valley Head Service is not that far from Jay's Garage, and they could do a great job massaging the heads. Add a LT-1 cam with '67-up small block valve springs and Eagle SIR5700 rods for a bulletproof bottom end, and he will have close to 300 SAE corrected RWHP and 7200 usable revs.
Too bad about the squishy camshaft, but I hope he at least replaces the weak, spindly first design 327 rods.
DukeLast edited by Duke W.; September 5, 2023, 11:24 AM.Comment
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