'63 Pilot Line photos

[G B.]

I believe around 25 1963 Corvettes were hand-built in the St. Louis Plant while the '62 models were still going down the assembly line. I have copies of two dozen GM photos that show the Pilot Line 1963 Corvettes under construction during the late summer of 1962. In two shots you can see '62 models on the assembly line in the background. These Pilot Line '63 Corvettes weren't prototypes. They had VIN and trim tags. At least 8 of these cars have survived and are now in the hands of private owners.

My prints don't include the Pilot Line photos shown on page 134 of Noland Adams' Restoration Guide. I also found one print from the series up for auction on eBay last year that I had never seen before. Apparently Chevrolet shot many photos to document this hand assembly process.

My photo prints are not GM originals. They are pretty dark and fuzzy. My guess is that they are third or fourth generation copies of the GM photos. However, if you're restoring a Pilot Line '63, I'd be glad to make copies of my prints for you. I'd also like to hear from those who already own prints from this photo series. I want to compare notes with you and see if we can assemble the entire photo series before the prints are spread out among our decendants and lost forever. Did any of you take photos of 1963 Corvettes on display at major auto shows during the fall of 1962? If so, I'd love to see them because they may show a Pilot Line Corvette.

[Tom D.]

Auto Show photos - GM Exhibit

Jerry

I have a large reprint from a 1960 Auto Show, probably Detroit. Some outfit in Michigan sells them (or did so a few years ago) at shows and antique stores. There may be a similar 1963 show photo. However, if they had a 1963 the day I got mine, I probably would have selected it over the 1960 view. Most of what they offered was Detroit related, but not car related.

Perhaps other people here in MI have other years. I'll go back to the place I found mine and see what else they have. /td

[John Amgwert]

Re: '63 Pilot Line photos

Jerry:

The '63 Corvette pilot assembly photos you refer to were of Black & White 35mm format taken in July of 1962 by Donald Sudnick. Many of them were taken on the St. Louis main line while the late '62s were simutaneously being assembled; others were taken in a different area of the plant complex, where a temporary line was setup for much of the hand-assembly required for these pilot '63s.

I am aware of a complete set of 118 individual, first generation, 8x10 glossy photographs.

John Amgwert