Another '64 Joining the Forum

[Steven H.]

Greetings to everyone
On the advice of a couple of members, I joined NCRS.
(Thanks Craig and Todd)

I have been lurking here on the forum about a month so I thought I would introduce myself.
I'm new to Corvettes and Chevrolets in general so pardon me if I ask any questions that are old school to all of you veterans!
I bought my childhood dream car in August of last year, a '64 Sting Ray convertible. It's not in bad shape but has not been treated real well. A lot of parts are just plain worn out and need replacing. Somebody has worked on my car before (Bubba?), I'm just trying to repair all the old, worn parts and replace things to keep the car as original as possible.
The Corvette was originally silverblue with the dark blue interior. Some time during the past she was repainted in ermine white. Not a bad paint job but not a real quality one either. I will repaint the car in the original color one of these days.

I have just finished rebuilding all the front and rear suspension components and generally cleaning up and repairing/tightening as much as I can. I really love driving the car, I don't know why I waited so long to get one!
I'm very glad that I joined NCRS and I'm sure I will learn almost everything there is to know about Corvettes!
It's great to be here!
Steven

[David K.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Welcome aboard. The orginial color is really pretty in my opinion. What is the other car in the picture? It isn't a '64 model yr. car also is it?

[Mike M.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

welcome to the best bunch of wrench heads on earth. simply ask a question and you'll be amazed at the rapidity of knowledgable reponses. join the local chapter as well.there is one problem with owning a 64--the team leader is a nerd.just kidding. mike

[Paul K.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Welcome, hope you enjoy the NCRS as much i as i do.
Paul Klemetson

[Wayne P.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Welcome Steven.
Glad you took the advice. It will save you a lot of time money and frustration. Good looking car. Better to drive it than be a trailer queen.Wayne.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Steve;

Along the way you're bound to run into the same stumbling block that I so often do, and that is the assumption by many of us that so much of the components on C-2 Vettes are the same. This is specially so about 63's and 64's. Altough they look like the same car, they are not. The 63 was the first year, and is true of many U.S. automotive product series, the second year is spent correcting what was done wrong or was not appreciated by the buying public on the first year, and taking out cost. There is no more true an example than the differences between the 63 and 64. A recent thread brought this into clear perspective when a fellow asked how certain RPO's should appear on his 1963 window sticker. We learned the the 63 WS was a carry over from the way things were presented on the C-1's, i.e. SOLID TAN (63) vs. SADDLE TAN (64). And, although we all know about the split rear window on the 63 coupe, there are many many subtle differences as well. So, bottom line; don't assume anything - research and verify. You'll get a lot of good input from the fellows on this forum, but don't assume everything we tell you is gospel, myself included. Welcome Aboard!

Stu Fox

[M W.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Steven you will find as I have that these folks here are a super bunch of people and are always willing to help. Wishing you all the best.

Come see me,
Craig W.

[Steven H.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Thanks everyone for the great welcome! Really makes one feel right at home.

David, That is a '65 Olds 442. This is the first car that I owned. I got it as a gift from my grandfather in 1976 and I've kept her ever since. My son and I are starting on a full restoration now. I don't know how long this will take but since I have never done anything this indepth before, it may be a few years.

I also have my '67 Pontiac GTO sharing the garage as well. It's all original and seems to be unmolested. Was owned by an adult couple but ended up sitting outside for over 13 years. Car is mostly sound and the drivetrain is what came from the factory.

[Steven H.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Steve;

Along the way you're bound to run into the same stumbling block that I so often do, and that is the assumption by many of us that so much of the components on C-2 Vettes are the same. This is specially so about 63's and 64's. Altough they look like the same car, they are not. The 63 was the first year, and is true of many U.S. automotive product series, the second year is spent correcting what was done wrong or was not appreciated by the buying public on the first year, and taking out cost. There is no more true an example than the differences between the 63 and 64. A recent thread brought this into clear perspective when a fellow asked how certain RPO's should appear on his 1963 window sticker. We learned the the 63 WS was a carry over from the way things were presented on the C-1's, i.e. SOLID TAN (63) vs. SADDLE TAN (64). And, although we all know about the split rear window on the 63 coupe, there are many many subtle differences as well. So, bottom line; don't assume anything - research and verify. You'll get a lot of good input from the fellows on this forum, but don't assume everything we tell you is gospel, myself included. Welcome Aboard!

Stu Fox

Stu I know what you are saying. I also grew up thinking that a Sting Ray is a Sting Ray, ect.... I now know better! Since buying the Corvette I have heard and read about the " '64 Orphan Syndrome". As far as I'm concerned, you can have a great time with any mid-year! I have grown very fond of the '64s and find them very aesthetically pleasing.
There are quite a few changes between all the model years and slowly I'm starting to understand all of them. I have my copy of the 1963-1964 NCRS Judging Manual and it contains a wealth of information. You are very correct in that the '63 and '64 are two very different cars.
Thanks for the welcome and I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can about these fine cars.

[David K.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Steve, I had to ask. My first car was a '64 Cutlass conv. and the quarter panels really looked familiar on your '65. My '64 is still alive and kicking and it is still missed, by me.......

[Stuart F.]

Re: Another '64 Joining the Forum

Steve;

Sounds like you have the bug alright. I have had my 63 since August of that year (new), and in almost 45 years and some 44.5k miles later I can truely say I have never grown tired of it.

If you havn't already, check out the latest issue of Vette Vues Magazine. There is a story about the origin of the SWC design. They concluded that it was not from any of the key GM players, rather an Italian Designer who did one for Alfa Romero and had actually been over here to shop his wears, and was wined and dined by Harley Earl. They also found that Harley Earl applied for and received a US Patent for the frontal design of the 63/64 car. His renderings submitted for the Patent Apl. shows a sketch of a 63 SWC, but only shades in the front from the windshield forward as being the area under Patent consideration. Ironically, he didn't submit the rear section with the split window, but did show it. They concluded he knew he could not do that and may in fact had a hand shake deal with the Italian Designer to use it for just the one year, and that it was dropped for that reason rather than pressure from Zora Arkus Duntov and others, including poor acceptance from the buying public.

Stu Fox