Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

[Earl R.]

I have corvette #34 and noticed the body tag has no build date code. I have check some pilot line body tags, and they do not have a build date either. Is it posable the a pilot line convertible body was build but never installed, as the coupe was the most desired, and they put this pilot line body on the car when production started.
My build date is Sept 5th 1962 with body #13
Dealler zone code 000-00 which means it went to GM for internal projects.
Also found a tag on the rear drivers side frame saying "Lab Frame 70"

Just seeing if anyone knew of extra bodies built but never installed durng the pilot line phase.

[Loren L.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

Cvt VIN 003 (at San Mateo 1980) appeared with no build date and carrying CVT Body #2; cpes VINs 20 and 23 are recorded with Build dates A25 & A27 respectively BUT OBVIOUSLY UNDER A DIFFERENT SYSTEM - they are bodys # 12 and 13; The first car I have with "Month/Week" build code is cpe VIN 55 as an "A1" and CPE Body 32.
Perhaps the A25 and A27 were August 25th and 27th, or even JULY?
One thing is sure - it would be interesting to do a title trace on your car....

[Earl R.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

Thanks for the info, I have tried to trace the car, but no records, as it seams as soon as it went to GM, no more paper trail. Seams their is no set rule for very early cars. I guess as with most new productions, their will be some things overlooked. Just have to try and find someone who was actually at the plant and can recall some sort of early cars.

Thanks

[Frank D.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

Thanks for the info, I have tried to trace the car, but no records, as it seams as soon as it went to GM, no more paper trail. Seams their is no set rule for very early cars. I guess as with most new productions, their will be some things overlooked. Just have to try and find someone who was actually at the plant and can recall some sort of early cars.

Thanks

If you aren't already aaware - then check the NCRS document service on this web site - you can generally find out which dealer the car was shipped to...there is a fee for the service...

[Keith B.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

If you aren't already aaware - then check the NCRS document service on this web site - you can generally find out which dealer the car was shipped to...there is a fee for the service...

He has the dealer number and zone

[Rick A.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

Surprised Jerry Bramlett has NOT responded as yet - he knows quite a lot about the pilot line cars, having owned several

[Earl R.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

The dealer code is zone 00-000. The build date is 9/5/1962.

This code appears to be used for cars that were used by GM or Chevrolet for internal projects.
AS per NCRS

Thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

That's pretty cool, I would love to see some pictures of the car.

[Earl R.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

I will be putting the car on ebay soon, so all pictures will be their to see.
Will let you know when I list the car.

[G B.]

I'm a little out of touch, but...

In your shoes, I would contact Franz Estereicher. Back when I owned '63 VINs 16, 17, and 18, Franz was the most knowledgeable NCRS member concerning the '63 Pilot Line build. In 2002, he maintained a survey listing the known cars. It included info on my cars as well as others.

For example, VIN 15 had convertible body #5 and a build date of A17. Convertible VIN 16 had body #6 and a build date of A17 as well. Convertible VIN 17 had body #7 and a build date of A21. Convertible VIN 18 had body #8 and a build date of A23. All four of those Corvettes were red/red/black top convertibles. Each was equipped with a sand-cast 7375 FI unit, 4-speed transmission, 4.11 posi, powerful windows, Wonderbar radio, metallic brakes, both tops, and no-tint glass. All four were badly wrecked by the early seventies, but all are back on the road now.

The survey also said Coupe VIN 21 had body #14 and a build date of A30.

[Earl R.]

Re: I'm a little out of touch, but...

It would be nice to know if he had any info on my car #34. But I have no body build date on my body tag. Just the Vin had the shipping date.
I do not know Franz Estereicher, or how to contact him ? Do you know how to contact him ?

Thanks
Earl

[G B.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

I don't have current contact info for Franz. The email address I have for him is from 2001.

In one of his posts on this Discussion Board, Franz said there were 25 Pilot Line Corvettes built for the '63 model year. That number doesn't include prototype vehicles built without VINs. Franz believed in 2001 that 10 of the 25 had been crushed by GM in 1963. The remaining 15 were assumed to be in public hands. He believed all but 5 of the 15 had been found by 2001. Since then, 2 of the missing 5 have "appeared". The VIN 8 coupe is now thought to be a Z06 that was destroyed by fire in the sixties, and the VIN 9 (or maybe 11) owner suddenly made some posts on the CorvetteForum a few years ago.

[Rick A.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

Here is link to podcast with Franz on leaf springs - interesting to listen to him talk and also see the transcript - have NOT seen nor talked with Franz since around 2010. He appears to be on Facebook

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/franz-estereicher-on-early-corvette-suspensions/

[Patrick H.]

Re: Corvette 1963 car #34 body tag question

He might be at Bloomington this week. He is at Carlisle on a regular basis.
On occasion I see him at Chapter events, though not this year.

Any contact info I have would be at home, and I'm at work now, leaving for BG after work.

[Earl R.]

Re: I'm a little out of touch, but...

I did another picture of my body tag, and I saw A1 really up in the left corner. From what is told to me, its 1st week of August 1962.