C2- '63 SWC

[Michael S.]

I am looking for a few opinions on a '63 SWC purchase.

Car is currently owned by the original owner. All original, numbers match except for an early 70s lacquer repaint. All paperwork (bill of sale, warranty book, owners manual). 300hp but a powerglide. Car is in excellent condition.

I think the originality outweighs the powerglide. I understand I could also convert it to a 4 speed and of course keep the original parts.

Any opinions ? Is a powerglide a killer on resale (ideally I would hold this car for a while, it is not a flip).

Thanks

[Tom S.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

I would say the auto is not a big deal. The last price book I have say's the auto is a 1-2 k deduct.I would not chane it to a 4 speed. If a 4 speed is what you realy want then I would keep shoping.If the rest of the car is what you want and you do not mind the auto I would go with it if the price is right.A realy nice documented car is getting harder to find all the time. Tom

[Tom H.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

The automatic probably does not devalue the car a great deal.................... but, it can make it tougher to sell since the majority is looking for a 4 speed. The good part is that it is very original, and I agree with you that originality and correctness probably makes up for any deduct the auto might cause. Keep in mind that nice original cars are getting harder and harder to find in any configuration. If you get a chance to buy this car and it's as nice and original as you say, I'd say....... BUY IT. You can't make a mistake on a nice original car with history. Just my opinion !

[Mike E.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

I echo the above--if you put a 4-speed into it, then it is no longer matching numbers, because the block suffix indicates that it is a powerglide car. When that kind of a significant non-match happens, it makes the total package of originality less critical and less valuable. You would be spending money to make the car worth less--never a good idea in my book!

[John D.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

Mike, Read your post earlier and have been thinking about it while working. Today I am told if you by a new C6 the majority want to shift gears for some reason. My father-God bless him-used to make fun of me. Said we are going to the moon and you are still shifting gears in your Corvettes. Anyhow an automatic today is harder to sell on a dealers showroom floor than a 6 speed. But when you are talking about a car that is an antique or a classic and not a daily driver I don't think it means squat as to what tranny is in the car. What really matters though is if the car is original or not. Changing from an auto to a 4 speed is no simple matter you know. And to do it undectable with the guru's today is almost impossible. I mean we argue yet about clutch cross shaft stuff and your car doesn't have one. I think if you want a 63 with a 4 speed then pass on this car as it's too original to mess with. Documented original 63's are a rare breed today for sure. Just my humble opinion though. John

[Jack H.]

Consider the upside...

I used to think a Corvette with an AT was less desirable than a manual transmission car (remember the base MT was a 3-speed for most years....), but I've got a different view now.

With an AT configuration, it's not that hard (OR expensive) to drop the factory original PG, store it for the future, and install a modern AT with integral overdrive feature (700R4, 200R4). Now, you've got a rather efficient tranny that'll let you cruise the highways/byways in overdrive and 'sip' at the fuel tank!

Getting a good, used IOD automatic tranny is a LOT easier/cheaper than trying to HAMMER in a Tremac 5-speed MT and you seldom find these available at a reasonable cost used....

Bottom line, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and you can look at the issue from two sides. To my revised thinking, a vintage Corvette with original AT configuration has increased its value to me....

[Jack U.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

As a '63 SWC owner, I would say it's not a killer.

I know another person here in Omaha that sold his '63 powerglide for $55,000 to a collector of powerglides. There is a market for them.

If you plan on driving and showing the car for originality for a few years, the '63 is only going to go up in value.

[Michael S.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

Guys, thanks for the views. A tough decision.

Just to be clear, if I put in a 4 speed, I would keep the automatic stored and not pass the car off as a real 4 speed. The automatic would follow the car, in or out, in a resale as the original and correct transmission.

Thanks again. Will let everyone know what I do.

Mike

[Don B.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

Mike -

My advice is to assess your desires well before buying a vette. It took me a long time before I bought my '64 coupe, but I knew what I wanted in a vette and why.

Do you want a collectable or do you want a driver quality vette?? A collectable is an investment vehicle whereas a driver quality car isn't necessarily an investment. I actually had a guy tell me that I was a poor investor buying the '64 instead of buying a '66. That was his point of view (and wrong!) verses mine which is that I wanted a vette that I can drive anywhere and not worry about decreasing its value because I drove it at all. I wasn't buying a car as an investment. In addition, my plans for the vette included a lot of modifications to increase its performance and general driving pleasure - not something one would want to entertain if the car was numbers matching and original. So, I bought my NOM vette with a plan in mind and knew what I wanted. I have a lot more to add, but this isn't the place. E-mail me if you want more.

GL, Don

[Jim K.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

Hi John:
The bride and I went "looking" at cars recently and the dealer here said he sells 9 A/T's to 1 manual... I found it hard to believe, but don't see his motivation to lie, he knwe we were buying a Solstice (from somewhere else). Eh, go figure... as for this car in question, buy it and drive it, forget the 4 speed, you can sell this in a couple of years and buy a restored 4 spped car... he he! have fun!

[Joe R.]

Re: C2- '63 SWC

Hi Mike:

I want to second Jack's point about the option of swapping in a 2004R or a 700R4 4-speed automatic. These are easy, bolt-in swaps (especially the 2004R) and you end up with a great combination of a low first gear for off-the-line performance and an overdrive 4th gear for highway driving.

I have a 67 Powerglide car that is presently going through the Flight judging process so the Powerglide has to stay for the time being. However, for "performance" driving you really need a lower first gear, and an overdrive top gear is great for highway cruising.

I have always intended to swap out the Powerglide for either a 700R4 automatic or a Tremec 5 speed after I'm done with Flight judging. Some of my friends and relatives are encouraging me to go with the Tremec, but right now I lean toward the 700R4. Somehow I feel it would be more in tune with the original spirit of the car.

It's also a less invasive swap because you don't need to add the clutch pedal and you can keep the original console.