1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

[Rob A.]

In the 6^th

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Rob,

I also had a 63 14,XXX which I bought from the original owner and it had back-up lights. The option was obscure and probably not known to be readily available when ordering. There were very few 63's equipped with this option so I'm sure the dates will never be known.

JR

[Rob A.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Thanks, my '63 is 1185XX. I have a ton of original paper work with the car showing the option so I am comfortable that is the way it was delivered. The Judging Manual however made me think there was some other information out there regarding when the option was available.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Rob,

The 63-64 judging manual has some thousand errors! It is not because the team leader and contributors have not tried to correct them but the fact that 63's were an ongoing contraption that changed every 30 days or less. All the way from major changes (ex. headlight buckets) to outside mirror. Wish everybody had to restore a 63 before they could own a Corvette.

JR

[John D.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Joe Ray is correct. 63's are not an exact science guys. Especially the fuel injections as I know that part best although 63's are also my passion.
One would do well to describe an issue as typical or not typical. But not typical is not necessarily incorrect. Meaning don't be too fast to give a deduct on a item because it isn't as described in a manual. Manuals are guides and are not a Bible. Just a guide.
What I dislike about chapter shows is judges will prop a manual on a fender and read every word in it. To defend them they are learning.
But if you go to a regional and see that happen mark my word you are in deep brown stuff.
Back in 63 when one saw a Corvette with backup lights it was a rare thing. Not that popular in my hood as you wouldn't be caught dead without 6 red taillights and no front bumper or emblems. JD

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Rob,

The 63-64 judging manual has some thousand errors! It is not because the team leader and contributors have not tried to correct them but the fact that 63's were an ongoing contraption that changed every 30 days or less. All the way from major changes (ex. headlight buckets) to outside mirror. Wish everybody had to restore a 63 before they could own a Corvette.

JR

Seriously ? How hard is it to remove the fuel pump error regarding four screws in the bottom or another two dozen blatant errors ?
I'll give em a pass on the questionable stuff...

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

The NCRS Spec Guide states the number of installed T-86 options is 318. I don't have the latest edition of the '63 JG, but it sounds like you are interpreting it as the last 300 car made, but that's not the case.

It was a late released option, and your car was built no more than six weeks before end of production, so I'm sure the option was available when it was ordered.

If everyone who has a '63 with T-86 lists their sequence number maybe we can determine when it was first installed or at least narrow the window.

Duke

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Duke,

Had a Sebring Silver 63 Coupe SN 14,XXX and it had the T-86 BU's. Bought it from the original owner.

JR

[Sydney G.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Perhaps this will help answer the question. From the 63's that I've recorded over the yrs., here are some examples of cars that I've seen or have been represented as having the very rare Back-up-Lamps option:
#55 - the Bunkie custom Cadillac Saddle Coupe which was also fitted with a/c.
#35X
#5,2XX
#5,6XX
#7,0XX
#9,0XX
#9,7XX
#10,5XX
#11,5XX
#11,5XX
#13,105 - listed in the L. Brooks registry
#13,2XX

While I'm pretty sure that some might have been added on in later years for whatever reason there are examples here that I believe to be true.

Syd

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

Interesting. My sequence number is just under 11,000 and when I ordered it in mid-February I don't think they were available. No doubt the zone offices sent some kind of communication to dealers when T-86 was available to order, but I don't think any such correspondence has ever been discovered.

The T-86 AIM sheets were initially released on 11-30-62, and there are three changes, the last dated 5-3-63.

[Joe R.]

Re: 1963 Backup / Reverse Light Option

In the Larry Brooks Registry the earliest car reported was 1033 with BU lamps with a notation of the price $5528.10 which would indicate someone had the window sticker, order sheet or build sheet. Think that would be sufficient information to indicate that it was the first 63 Corvette built with BU lamps. Then the next SN appearing with BU lamps is SN 13,105. After that there are several appearing with BU lamps throughout the model year.

JR