63 coupe a/c help

[Kelly W.]

I literally bought a "barn find" 63 split window that is in need of restoration. As I type this I am at Corvettes of Carlisle and having a blast!
I have spoken with dozens of NCRS guys here at the show about this great find.
I believe this car to be saddle Tan with saddle interior. The interior trim code is 490L. The car was built on May 11 of 63
According to the "black book ". 490L is red vinyl coupe.
Also says on oct 19th 1962 A letter from GM to dealers advised that saddle exterior could no longer be ordered with red interior.
The NCRS guys I spoke with today are leaning toward the "L" representing air-conditioning. I would really love to speak with someone who is an expert on 63 air-conditioned cars. 😊

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 coupe a/c help

I'm the one from the Corvette Forum that sent you here for some sage advice....
At any rate....this is the thread I was referring to by some smart folks on here that may shed some light on your car:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...r+conditioning

[Kelly W.]

Re: 63 coupe a/c help

Thanks Frank!! The journey begins.

[Larry M.]

Re: 63 coupe a/c help

Kelly:

According to the Al Grenning and Roy Sinor Book on C2 Corvette Trim Tags, for 1963 model year, an "L" indicates a coupe with red vinyl trim, and is applicable thru February 22, 1963. The only thing the "L" includes is a radio.

Beginning in February 22 thru the end of model year production, red vinyl interior trim codes for a coupe are: Q, XA, XC, and C. These different codes denote different trim levels including air conditioning. However, for SADDLE vinyl interior, these same trim codes are: U, XJ, XL, and E. The SADDLE trim code for air conditioning is XJ, and the SADDLE trim code for air conditioning and radio is XL.

So...........according to the Trim Book.............if you have only an "L" than the interior is red vinyl with a radio and no air conditioning, and the car was built before February 22. But if the code is "XL" the interior is saddle vinyl and includes both air-conditioning and a radio, and the car was built after February 22.

There are no other "L" or "L-type" of suffixes shown.

For your May 1963 car build date, the only code that makes sense is the "XL" (assuming car has a radio). So you need to try and find the missing "X".

Hope this makes sense to you.

Larry

[Kelly W.]

Re: 63 coupe a/c help

Apparently the "x" did not start until units 16,000. mine is 114963