1963 matching numbers?

[Thomas O.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thanks for all the responses. The frame and the transmission does match the VIN on the car. I'm not sure how to post pictures but I did create a folder labeled 1963 Corvette. The story on the car is I bought it from a lady in Tennessee who owned it for 16 years and it has been garage kept. Her husband bought it from a lady who might have been the original owner. The car appears to be all original except for one repaint and has 29,000. The speedometer does work because I drove it today. Please respond if you can't see my pictures on my profile in the album I created labeled 1963 Corvette. Thanks for all the input guys!

[Kenneth F.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

I wonder what the factory did if an engine had a major problem when it was started the first time? Could it have been removed and repaired to be used in another car without changing the VIN?

[Thomas O.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

I'm not sure I think it's a little odd that the engine and the vin are just over 2 months apart and it really appears to to me to have been never messed with I'm wondering if it is a engine replacement by the factory due to a problem

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

As they say about old cars, anything is "possible". However that would be an extraordinary claim and would require extraordinary proof to pass judging without deductions. But it looks like an extremely nice car that can be throughly enjoyed despite all that, welcome and enjoy the car.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

I'm not sure I think it's a little odd that the engine and the vin are just over 2 months apart and it really appears to to me to have been never messed with I'm wondering if it is a engine replacement by the factory due to a problem

There was a well known process to address such events either on the production line or in the field. Neither case would result in a car ending up with an engine from a different car with it's VIN still intact.

Do a search on 'grind out' to see the process.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thomas,

Your 63 looks like a nice car but I believe that engine belongs in #06486 (if I got that # right).

When you get some time try to find #6486 if it's still around, you may make someone's day and the value of that engine to them will more than pay for a rebuilt correctly dated engine for your 63.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

I'm not sure I think it's a little odd that the engine and the vin are just over 2 months apart and it really appears to to me to have been never messed with I'm wondering if it is a engine replacement by the factory due to a problem

Thomas------

In this case, you would have an engine that was originally installed in a car that was built at least 2 months after yours somehow ending up in your car at the factory? That would mean that your car would have had to remain at the factory for at least 2 months after it was built. Then, it would have had to have it's original engine removed. Then, car #6486 would have had to have its engine removed and the only reason for that would have been some serious problem with that engine. Then, the engine would have had to be repaired at St. Louis and installed in your car. Then, normal procedure for grinding out or "X-ing" out the original VIN and over-stamping the VIN of the car the engine was going into would have to have not been followed. Then, on final inspection the inspector would have had to miss the fact that the correct VIN derivative was not stamped on the engine.

When it takes this many "co-incidences" to explain how something happened, I don't buy it.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thomas------

In this case, you would have an engine that was originally installed in a car that was built at least 2 months after yours somehow ending up in your car at the factory? That would mean that your car would have had to remain at the factory for at least 2 months after it was built. Then, it would have had to have it's original engine removed. Then, car #6486 would have had to have its engine removed and the only reason for that would have been some serious problem with that engine. Then, the engine would have had to be repaired at St. Louis and installed in your car. Then, normal procedure for grinding out or "X-ing" out the original VIN and over-stamping the VIN of the car the engine was going into would have to have not been followed. Then, on final inspection the inspector would have had to miss the fact that the correct VIN derivative was not stamped on the engine.

When it takes this many "co-incidences" to explain how something happened, I don't buy it.

I agree with Joe......

[Thomas O.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thanks Joe that really makes sense and I agree and I'm not by any means a corvette specialist it's just with the miles so low and the appearance of the seats,frame,carpet and the tires dated 1971 it's just a little confusing to me so I was searching for some logical explanation and I do appreciate all the advice from the members

[Michael J.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thanks Joe that really makes sense and I agree and I'm not by any means a corvette specialist it's just with the miles so low and the appearance of the seats,frame,carpet and the tires dated 1971 it's just a little confusing to me so I was searching for some logical explanation and I do appreciate all the advice from the members

You have to remember, Corvette SHP (Special High Performance) engines like the one originally in your car had a hard early life most of the time. They were so easy to rev high and abuse, many did. The good thing is that some previous owner thought and cared enough to get a another Corvette SHP engine to replace it. That shows some attention to detail many early owners did not have toward their cars, and indicates a careful caretaker of your car.

[Thomas O.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thanks I never looked at it like that

[Gerald C.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Thomas

Also check on the flat of the frame rail in front of the rear tire. I'm doing a body off on my 63 and found my VIN in two locations on the chassis. One was on the top of the rear wheel frame and another on the flat. Have fun and enjoy your car!

Jerry

[E S.]

Re: 1963 matching numbers?

Hi- The block casting date should answer a few questions also.
BTW- I bought 63 #16xx in 1967 from the original owner (my first corvette)- It was also a red/red 340 HP Coupe-Just an amazing car! Enjoy!