Need help identifying this '63 road racing car!

[Gary W. Hessel]

Can anyone please help me to identify who might have built this '63 road racing car? The link for it is at ...

http://hostbreak.com/webcreationspage

Thanks Bunches
Gary

[Tom H.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Gary- Somebody who wasn't a road racer built this car. It was the classic attempt to build a "street racer" meant to be fun. ...and nothing more. By the way we're about 4 months early with april fools tricks!

[Donald O.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Gary,

Read my post from earlier.
This is NO FACTORY RACE CAR.
Those rear side scoups that you think are brake ducts are just dressing. Wheres the ducting to the brakes? A 63 race car would have had "big brakes" option.
The mid year cars don't need a very large rear spoiler, what they needed was a way to keep the FRONT end down at speed. While yours has one, hotrod harry put it on.
Hlogen headlights? Were not available then and rectangle laights came out in the LATE 70s
Where is the SCCA approval sticker for the rollbar? Real race cars had CAGES and still do.
Hooker sidepipes? GM MADE ITS OWN
Nice radio. Too bad REAL race cars only have a two-way radio. And in 63 they didn't have those either.

This was HOTROD HARRY"s Saturday night cruiser. Meant for impressing 12 year old boys or girls with an IQ of 12.

Don

[Gary W. Hessel]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Tom,

Oops you're right! Maybe I should have said possible road racer. Sorry. But off course it still leaves the question. If it isn't a true road racer then does anyone have any idea who might have built her?

I personally think that true race car or not. This car was not thrown together in a weekend. With some spare change. Might it have been built by a fairly well known customizer? If so who?

Thanks Bunches
Gary

[Gary W. Hessel]

[Tom H.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Gary- Please try to find a Vintage Road Race event in your area and examine some legitimate mid year race cars. The difference will be obvious. Your car is the beginning of an interesting custom project which your should neatly complete and enjoy. That's the point-- enjoy what you have and what you like. It truly doesn't mean a proverbial "rat's ass" what others think-if you like it and are proud of it don't look for other peoples' validation of your particular dream. ....and, are you sure you're not pulling our collective "highbrow" legs??

[William C.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

There are a lot of people who are good enough with fiberglass to make a car like this outside the "normal" racing circles. I would check with the people from the Natinal Council of Corvette Clubs or Western State Corvette Clubs depending on your location and see if it ever showed up in their "race prepared" class. The rules were much more liberal and the safety features much less demanding than SCCA or IMSA. Aslo, most of their racing is done on courses short enough that the lack of front downforce was of less concern (parking lot autocrsss etc) One question, almost all the racers I saw had a reinforcement across the front of the frame area between the A-Arm mounts. Any sign of that? (could also just be a street toy, there is one of those in can-am livery been around here for 25+ years)

[Gary W. Hessel]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Tom,

Well of course it wouldn't have been in the same class with the Vintage Race Cars to begin with. It would have had to have been one or more steps up the ladder as far as the racing class.

And that's assuming that was raced. Which we just don't know yet. That's why I'm here. Asking for the help.

But thank you for the words of encouragement. And you're right I love that car to death. And trust me on this one I won't be changing a thing.

Thanks Bunches
Gary

[Gary W. Hessel]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Bill,

Thanks for the heads up as to where I might go for additional help. See that's why I love this forum so much. The absolute wealth of knowledge and a willingness to help. That just slays me every time that I come here.

I looked for a reinforcement across the front of the frame area between the A-Arm mounts. And I didn't see any.

Thanks Bunches
Gary

[Donald O.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Gary,

No offense was meant nor was I speaking for anyone else but me. If you are happy with it, GREAT!!! They are meant to be enjoyed and driven (and driven hard, I do). I just have more respect for a car that the current owner has taken the time (labor), can be a couple of years, the money, can be several thousands (yes thousands) of dollars and the dedication to research the car and its history to return it to its originallity, and the counless searches for the dated correct parts for restoration. When an individual does all that, I AM impressed. I'm not impressed if they just let some shop do it after given a blank check.

Me, if someone offered me $15k more than I just paid, I'd tell I'd just paid about $20k more than I really did and then tell him he just bought the car.
I may love the old ones, but I'm not blind or above profit making. There have been numerous times that I and others have seen, where someone buys a Vette for $20.000 put $40,000 into the restoration and in the end have a car valued at $45,000. I'm not in for the money, but I'm not against a nice profit either.

Enjoy the car for what it is and the pleasures gotten from driving it. I enjoy this board because I can ask any legitamate question and got an honest answer.

Thatsmystoryandiamstickingtoit

Don

[Chas Kingston]

[Gary W. Hessel]

[Art A.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Gary, I worked for Chevrolet Engineering starting in 1962 and from what I have seen in your post, in my opinion, THIS "race" car was NOT built my GM---no way, no how!
Sorry----I know how much you wish it was.
Art

[Duke W.]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

The body modification would have made the car illegal for SCCA production class racing.

Duke

[Gary W. Hessel]

Re: Need help identifying this '63 road racing car

Art,

Whoa another GOD. Don't you just love this forum. Hey look guy I'm here for one reason and one reason only and that's to find out the unblemished truth from the GODS like you.

Give it to me give it to me give it to me. I can take it.

Might it have been built by someone other than GM who really new their stuff though? Whether it be for racing. Or for show by some well respected customizer.

Thanks Bunches
Gary