Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

[Ray S.]

Hello, Ray Sztabnik here (member 63538). I'm trying to locate some history and details for '63 SWC , VIN 3098. It's a 360hp car, that would have been Silver Blue when new. It was most recently Daytona Blue, and purchased by the current owner from a consignment in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It's currently undergoing a full body-off restoration at my shop, for the current owner. The first thing I noticed is that the faux vent area behind the door was missing it's center spine, instead appearing as a single scoop. Once the car was chemically stripped, it revealed an original roof panel, with no evidence whatsoever of any bodywork having been performed in that area. Collision repairs had been performed at the rear of the car (replacement GM tail lamp panel) along with a Corvette Image press-molded left front fender, and a GM left upper surround. What's also interesting, is both the right side of the upper surround and right fender are original, yet the right fender scoop has what appears to be a '64 scoop spliced in, with no other repairs performed. This leads me to believe a similar styling treatment may have been originally present on the fenders. There are other chassis modifications as well, but of primary interest is how the car may have appeared when it was delivered new to Malcolm Konner Chevrolet, in Paramus NJ. (Dealer Code 184, Zone 35) The "born on date" received from the service was November 5th, 1962, though the VIN seems to indicate it may actually have been November 8th. Yes, I've seen countless custom Corvettes in the 35 years or so I've been working on them, but I am certain the roof panel on this car is original and untouched, so I'm trying to find out more about it if I can. Thanks & Regards, Ray

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[Tom B.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Most interesting. Wish I had an answer.

[Joseph S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Ray, All 63 Coupe roof panels have that large single depression in them. The body detail that splits the depression and makes the dual shape you see on every car is added with filler. They may have used a mold to add it in but it is clearly done after the panel is made. You can sand the filler out of any 63 and end up with the detail you have on the car you are working on.

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Ray, All 63 Coupe roof panels have that large single depression in them. The body detail that splits the depression and makes the dual shape you see on every car is added with filler. They may have used a mold to add it in but it is clearly done after the panel is made. You can sand the filler out of any 63 and end up with the detail you have on the car you are working on.

Thanks Joseph, that makes sense to me, as all coupes I have seen are smooth on the inside, and do not have a mirror of that shape. However, I have never seen "filler" used on any Corvette from the factory; only bonding adhesive for imperfections and such. Is this what you mean? Was that spine perhaps a small molded piece that was bonded in?

I would be interested if anyone out there has pictures of this detail on a stripped car. Thanks again.

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

For reference, here is a pic of what is supposed to be an NOS replacement panel. I can't think this was sculpted-in going down the line. There must have been more to it. SWC NOS roof section.jpg

[Joseph S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Yes, It was probably adhesive. Could have been pre molded. But it was definitely added post panel pressing. Every 63 I have worked on looks just like that panel you posted. I have a few photos I can dig up but what you posted is perfect. The back side of that panel will look exactly like your car.
One long depression.

[Jack M.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Zooming in to the 1963 Pilot Line photos:

028a.jpg

028b.jpg

[Joseph S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Good photo Jack! You can see the 1 long depression on the driver side and the added divider on the passenger side in this photo.

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

It's kinda white-washed for me; I can't really tell. What remains now is how they were added, and using what. On the car I'm working on, there is some residual adhesive on the surface of the left side. I'm carefully sanding it to see if I can reveal a shadow of the spine that was there. Now I want to know what those disks are on that roof skin that's being hauled overhead in the photo, so instead I have more questions. :-)

[Harry S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

It's kinda white-washed for me; I can't really tell. What remains now is how they were added, and using what. On the car I'm working on, there is some residual adhesive on the surface of the left side. I'm carefully sanding it to see if I can reveal a shadow of the spine that was there. Now I want to know what those disks are on that roof skin that's being hauled overhead in the photo, so instead I have more questions. :-)

I do believe those are part of the assembly tooling. Hold everything in place as the panels setup together.

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

I do believe those are part of the assembly tooling. Hold everything in place as the panels setup together.

Interesting, the way they are located under the roof skin. I would have guessed steel disks to sandwich the panel to magnets on the overhead crane. Jigs and clamps were used for assembly, but never any holes for things like screws or cleco fasteners...

[Andy C.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Here is a pic of a car with divider. You can see the divider is a little darker.thumbnail_IMG_4449.jpgthumbnail_IMG_4448.jpg

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Here is a pic of a car with divider. You can see the divider is a little darker.[ATTACH=CONFIG]103941[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]103942[/ATTACH]

Thanks Andrew, much-appreciated. In some correspondence I've had with Larry Galloway, I'm being told the panel was stamped with the double impressions, right out of the mold. This leads me to believe the female portion of the mold would have been packed with some type of resin-based material (like the bonding material, or similar to some of the repair pastes I use today) before being pressed. This would have produced a solid divider, which would explain the back remaining smooth. Would also explain the darker material observed extending towards the outer edges of the scoops. With his help, I am hoping to obtain pictures of the dies and process. Stay tuned...

[Jack M.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

You mentioned that the image area appeared 'white-washed'... indeed, the color of the vent area seems 'different' than the surrounding body panels. I don't know the procedure used, but itz possible a 'filler' material was used to smooth it out.

Here are a few more Pilot Line images... notice the lighter color in the vent area:

031a.jpg

031b.jpg

[Ray S.]

Re: Researching a '63 SWC that has some unique attributes.

Still hunting for details on what the factory may have used for this area, and how it would have been applied. If anyone has had to repair this area, pics would be appreciated. Thanks, Ray. PS, here's another photo I found where you can see a contrasting-color material applied.63 corvette body panel detail.JPG