63 spare tire carrier

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Thanks, Frankie.

I still cannot get an answer re: late '63 having a lip + notches (as suggested by the JG) vs all '63s not having notches.

There is a debate about this same issue (e.g. the notches) going on at the Corvette Forum as I write; one of the forum moderators has been digging into it at some depth; he is convinced there were never any notches in '63....for what its worth...

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Also a 63 carrier can be spotted across the parking lot because of the texture of the fiberglass. The glass is black and the fibers are white and close to the surface very similar to the 63 heater box under the hood.
Faking 63 parts is not easy and judging them is even harder since like Harry says there is sometimes three interations of certain parts and pieces.

JR

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

There is a debate about this same issue (e.g. the notches) going on at the Corvette Forum as I write; one of the forum moderators has been digging into it at some depth; he is convinced there were never any notches in '63....for what its worth...

My 13XXX 63 has the small lip and my 20XXX has the large lip with the notches. I believe the CF comments to be incorrect. I have looked at many very late 63 cars and they all have the 64 to 67 style tub.

[Steve G.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

My 13XXX 63 has the small lip and my 20XXX has the large lip with the notches. I believe the CF comments to be incorrect. I have looked at many very late 63 cars and they all have the 64 to 67 style tub.

Harry, that's an important contribution to this conversation- you owning a late car with the second design and knowing others who also do... thanks very much for the post.

[William N.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

This one has a lip all the way around.

[William N.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

DSCN3826.jpgDSCN3827.jpgDSCN3828.jpgHi ,
I have attached photos of my tire tub, from my serial number 16387 1963 coupe assembled the last day of May 1963. I have owned the car since 1967 and believe the tub to be the original one. You will see that the lip thins down along the side as it goes rearward, a little past 1/2 way.
Bill

[Steve G.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Nice pictures, Bill. And by picture #3, it appears you have the notches as seen in the 64-67 design. It also looks like a 64+ angled design jack handle hole in the lid, which tells me this design changeover did in fact happen right around this time frame. Thanks again, Bill.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Hi ,
I have attached photos of my tire tub, from my serial number 16387 1963 coupe assembled the last day of May 1963. I have owned the car since 1967 and believe the tub to be the original one. You will see that the lip thins down along the side as it goes rearward, a little past 1/2 way.
Bill

My VIN 16892 so very close to yours. I had the cover off roday and all the hardware as well and the question is whether your 2 forward bolts had the welded nuts that act as stops? The reason for the question is that the JG states there were 3 different version of theses bolts and anything after 6700 would not have welded nuts. The bolts i have do have the welded nuts but the JG states the later version should have a shoulder on the bolt which acts as a stop.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

There is a debate about this same issue (e.g. the notches) going on at the Corvette Forum as I write; one of the forum moderators has been digging into it at some depth; he is convinced there were never any notches in '63....for what its worth...

How would you fully close the lid without the notches?

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Because the forward tub housing lip (see picture) is not as tall as later years - the reinforcing rods extend over the shortened lip.
So no notch required.
Here is my May '63 hardware...welded nuts, no shoulder at the top..

[Rob A.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Here is a picture of the spare tire carrier from my 3 owner unrestored '63. It is a late build car 18507. It looks to me like it has the notches too.

Is the fiberglass coloring the same on all late '63 to '67 carriers? Mine needs repair near the rear differential and I am considering buying a nice original.

[William N.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

Hi,
I checked tonight, and my forward bolts on 16387 are the welded nut configuration. As you may see in the photo, they are replated, but these are the original ones.
Bill

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

I was referring to a late style 63 tub with the extended lip. I interpreted your post to infer that there were no notches on any 63 tub.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

The latest poll taken shows the change happened around SN 17000 but was scattered. Certainly by SN 18,000 the change was complete and no early tubs should be found on original unrestored cars. ALL late tubs would have had the notches because the braces won't fit without the tub without being notched.

JR

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 spare tire carrier

That is my revised understanding based on some extemporaneous research and some friends with late '63s..