4-4-63 Corvette

[William L.]

Picture is from the Ed Teskey collection, a 1963 Prototype. The note reads.

1963 Corvette Sting-Ray -- Headlights open
"Now you see the headlamps and now you don't. A push of a button on the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray modles activates twin motors which operate the new retractable headlamps. This but one of the many new features which will be seen in the earodynamic-styled Corvetts for 1963."
Can you spot the differencs on the Prototype?
Bill Lacy

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

Two pop out right away:

1) Wiper Grills
2) Headlight bezels had screws in the front upper area

Harry

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

3) Front license support bar.

[Bill Lynch]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

Passenger side wiper should be on top !

[Duke W.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

It's not clear from this angle, but I think those cars also have rounded rear hood corners. There are also lots of interior differences. Seatback design looks more like '64 production than '63 production. Also, the instrument faces are different.

GM used these prototypes for many publicity shots that were in the magazines in October '63 including the cover of Road & Track. IIRC a silver coupe and red convertible.

Duke

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

Tires

[Wayne W.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

That rear view mirror looks like it is way down there. The early cars did not have any screws in the face of the headlight bezels. There was a clip and slot that held them together. At least it was supposed to.

[John D.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

Bill, Grille brackets are wacko, lower control arms appear to lack the sway bar links and look weird. The big one that everyone is missing is that the parking lamps are rotated 90 degrees. Yes Wayne is correct in that the inside rear view mirror support appears to be way too long. By the way the above answers are from Michael Hanson. JD reply is: Car appears to be like the old Bill Lacy white racer. That was a nice car you had Bill. Miss you. John D.

[Robert F.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

You guys are good....scarey good!!!

[Wayne W.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

I`m not so sure thats not a straight axle chassis. Note the extra long center section and the two body mount bolts under the license plate.

[Sydney G.]

Re: 4-4-63 Corvette

So,
I've alway's wondered what 4/4/63 designates in this pic?
April 4th '63?
A little late for a pilot car press release, no?
The date the picture was taken with a special plate made for the shoot?

Great responses!

Syd

[Duke W.]

Tires

Yes, those tires have a very unusual tread pattern for that era, and I remember them. I think they are a U. S. Royal premium model that was only sold in the replacement market and was never OE on any cars of that era.

Anyone remember the model name?

Also, why the 4-4-63 date? Seems rather late to be taking pictures of early prototypes when the '63 model run was more than half over.

Duke

[Robert F.]

Re: Tires

4/4 was Zora's B/D???

[Geoff C.]

4-4-63 refers to 250, 300, 340, 360 HP

That is one of the press release photos for 1963 models. I have the set somewheres. Another shows the LAX control tower with a pilot and stewardess in uniform with a FI coupe with 3 bar KO. All those press photos are of early pilot models used for promotion.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Sydney G.]

Re: 4-4-63 refers to 250, 300, 340, 360 HP

Thank you Geoffrey.
Would have lost that bet!

Syd