Finally Restore - 1963 Fuelie Coupe

[JJU]

It is finally home after 2 and 1/2 years.

Below are some pictures of the final phases. The last four are from earlier in the week with its "bunk mate".

http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_12.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_13.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_14.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_15.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_16.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_17.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_18.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_19.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_20.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_21.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_22.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_23.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_24.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_25.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_26.jpg
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c5/jjurban/1963_27.jpg

There is just fine tuning left to do.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Car looks great , Looks like you polished the fuel injection plenum.

I also like the picture of the garage, But it just looks so sanitary I would be afraid to walk in it ,let alone work in it

Congratulations, I hope you still have some good weather left to enjoy it this season

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

Sweeeeeet.. Vert nice.. !!!

 

[midyearvettes]

Looks Great! I1m Glads it home finally!

 

[henny496]

Very nice...... be proud of your accomplishment It really looks good
Tom

 

[Kid_Again]

Spectacular car. Congrats!

 

[Ghost]

Looks great. Who's signature is on the glove box?

 

[studiog]

Congrats, She looks fantastic.

 

[JJU]

Looks great. Who's signature is on the glove box?

Bob Bondurant

 

[Ghost]

Bob Bondurant

Thanks. Went back and looked at your pics again. Sweet.

 

[61 Silver]

Nice work and a great looking 63 SWC, but I might be a little prejudice!

The ermine white exterior with the red interior is a great combination.

Ray

 

[JJU]

Nice work and a great looking 63 SWC, but I might be a little prejudice!

The ermine white exterior with the red interior is a great combination.

Ray

Ah... the joys of split-window ownership.....

I love looking at any Ermine White '63 and talking to owners. (There are not
a lot of us around.) I see you have the correct wheels. Are those
biased-ply or radial tires? How old is your paint and is it
holding up well? Is it clearcoat or other? I am concerned on mine as it
ages. I was told temperature changes over time on the old fiberglass could
contribute to future cracking.

 

[61 Silver]

Hi! JJU

The 63 is a fresh restoration (completed spring 2006) and I restored it to as it left the factory specifications (NCRS). Hopefully it will score well when it is judged in the spring. I love to drive the Corvettes so I have radials on the coupe at this time. I need to secure bias ply tires prior to judging. The paint is PPG lacquer. I believe that if your painter used the correct primers, sealers and procedures you should have no problems with the paint. I would how ever secure some plastic mud flaps that you can secure with clips. I just noticed a few paint chips on the lower rear fenders. The good thing is that ermine white is easy to tuch-up. Others on the forum with more experience in paint will chime in with their opinions and hopefully provide you with the information you need.

Good luck with your 63 SWC!

Ray

 

[JJU]

That makes sense to me, Ray, if you are going for a top flight.

Radials are on mine (for safety). My car will get driven too. I went with the
uerethane paint with no clear coat. There are 4 coats on the surface.
My painter knows what he is doing and discussed the options of having to
redo the paint at a later date with lacquer. Lacquer just didn't fit in with my
long term goals and finances with the car. So you may have guessed that I
didn't go completely NCRS. I made compromises to account for the inherent
flaws the factory made in 1963. (i.e., I would want the dealer to correct
poor quality items if I bought this car in the year it was made.) My main goal
was to have someone look at the engine compartment and say "that's a
1963" from strictly a numbers perspective. I slightly changed my mind and
polished the value covers and plenum top. I'm debating whether to get the
car flight judged. It probably won't get a top flight but that was not my
primary goal coming out of the restoration. If it happens, fine. If not, that's
OK too.

I did buy the "clip on" mud flaps from Ecklers. That seemed like a no-brainer.
If you spend that much money on a paint job, it makes sense to take all
precautions to protect it.

Detailing the car is a "dream" as you probably already know.