latest Ebay fantasy!

[John M.]

Hey guys,
check out the most current Ebay fantasy. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2416650998

This car claims to be an absolutely original and unrestored 1960 corvette with only 6000 miles on it. It says that it was only registered for 1 year and was stored ever since. See how many holes you can poke in this story with the few pictures given! I found an early set of wheelcovers, an incorrect thermostat housing, optional valve covers on a base engine, incorrect carb linkage, a total lack of any shielding, A two top decklid with no evidence of a softtop including the felt in the compartment, Seats that appear to lack the dip in the center that originals had, Paint that appears to be BC/CC or one hell of a lacquer job at the least, definately not indicative of original paint!, highly polished or chrome air cleaner, incorrect oil breather, a 1958 horn button, nofresh air hose, ect, ect. That car sure did change a lot while sitting in storage! It just amazes me that someone does not go to jail for this kind of misrepesentation. What is truly sad, is that someone has already bid $50K for this car! I wonder if Zora's signature is even real!

Regards, John McGraw

[George C.]

Re: latest Ebay fantasy!

Thank's John, Now have you heard the one about the 63 Split window coupe with a 427 from the factory, or the only metal Corvette built in 1955. Buyer beware. Enough said.>George

[Garry Barnes]

Re: latest Ebay fantasy!

Just in case anyone is truly interested in this car, I would be happy to go take a look for you. I live in the next town over and am only 15-20 minutes away. I am also fairly proficient on C1's having owned three. BTW- did you guys see the Black 56 #101 declared to be all original with the oil dipstick on the left side? As I recall, the first 600 or so 265's had the dipstick on the right side. Is there no shame?

[Franz E.]

Re: latest Ebay fantasy!

Don’t be too hasty to discount the “427” 63’s. The 63 427 engine was commonly referred to as the “mystery engine” and was initially released to compete in NASCAR. Chevrolet engineering built approximately 42 engines, of which two were given to Mickey Thompson. Two of Mickey’s four Z06’s that competed in the American Challenge Cup and Second Continental race on February 16 & 17, 1963 were equipped with Chevrolet’s new 427. Both Z06’s and engines were shipped to Smokey Yunick’s shop in Daytona for final assembly, race preparations and compliance to FIA safety requirements. Needless to say they weren’t available to the public. As part of my Daytona archive I have a number of photographs of both 427 cars along with news articles from the Daytona Morning Journal featuring Chevrolet’s new “mystery” motor.

[Mark Smith]

Re: latest Ebay fantasy!

Hey, I heard about that metal-bodied Corvette, but didn't really know they existed! Thanks! Mark

[Jack H.]

Metal body Corvettes rare....

but a handful DID happen every now and then!

The XP987GT was acquired a few years back from the prototype storage area of the roof of Vauxhaul (Bedford, England) and restored by NCRS member, Corvette author and UK Judging Chairman, Tom Falconer. It's a fascinating experimental prototype styling exercise as it uses interior components from '70-71 Corvette but was a mid-engine configuration based on GM's experimental dual-rotor ****el. Plus, from time to time, certain experimental body components (e.g. magnesium hood for late era C1) have surfaced here/there.

So, don't 'knee jerk' and dismiss the possibility of a 'metal bodied Corvette.' But, DO treat such claims with skepticism....

[Franz E.]

Re: N03 Aluminum Tank Cover

In the development of the N03 (36.5 gal fuel tank) as a separate RPO option Chevrolet engineering manufactured an aluminum tank cover in the metal fabrication lab at the GM Tech Center. Eventually, when released for production on December 18, 1962 per Chevrolet Engineering Department Notice number 93067 Chevrolet’s drawing specified “fiberglass” as the material, not aluminum. In the vehicle development phase, pilotline build and even very early production there are a number of anomalies outside the accepted norm. As Corvette enthusiast’s we must develop an understanding of these anomalies, be objective with an open mind and cautious.