Where do I start?

[firstgear]

Just purchased a 1964 coupe.....so where do I start? How do I know the proper interior color as well as exterior?

Below are 3 pictures of the car from the auction loation....so where do I start.....comments and suggestions are appreciated....

I paid $28k.....seemed like a real good buy as well.....comments here as well would be aprreciated....it is a 327/365HP, 4 speed.

let me know.....regards, Herb

 

[WayneC]

There is a stamped aluminum trim tag riveted to a support under/below the glovebox, facing toward the rear of the car. A smaller tag beside it has the VIN number stamped on it.

Post that trim tag information and it can be decoded into colors, body type, and body build date.

You should get the appropriate shop manuals for the car from NCRS.org or a Corvette parts vendor. You need a 63 Corvette shop manual and a 64 supplement to that manual.

An excellent book for showing how things looked when these cars were new is Noland Adam's book: "Corvette Technical and Restoration Guide volume 2"... an expensive book but probably the best of it's type.

Looks like a good buy to me, Herb... enjoy!

 

[396 RAT]

I would check frame for rust, see if the frame is from the same year as the body. Then move to checking the block numbers, trans, RR, heads, carb, intake, dist, exhaust manifolds, as well as paint & int code.
Just throwing a few things out there.
Post the info here if you need help deciphering it, lots of folks can help.
BTW, Nice looking car! I used to own a 65 Rally Red 365hp coupe
with red leather myself. It was all orig and I still have a list of all the numbers from that car. I know yours is a 64, just yacking.......
Whats your RR ratio? Mine was a 3.70 with a Close ratio trans
Bla Bla Bla.....

 

[atmmac]

Sweet Ride ive always wanted a 60s vette cars from the 60s are the best!

 

[koolaid117]

WOW! That is a BEAUTIFUL car! Congratulations!!

 

[71zman]

I would start by DRIVING and ENJOYING that beautiful car.

Congratulations

 

[firstgear]

I will use the car for just driving around locally and maybe occasionally taking it to work...although that is 60 miles one way.....maybe to show a couple of the guys at work who also have vettes......


My ultimate goal is to get a split window......but we came across this and it was too good to pass up....so who knows....maybe I will go on for the split or I could become too attached to this one to let her go.......

I have the Z06 for when it comes to just good ole @$$ kicking to do and that car really goes, so I want to keep this one as close to original as I can.......

I won't have the car until later in the week when the transportation company delivers it home.....enclosed trailer!

I will post the infromation from under/behind the glove box as soon as I get it.

From what I can tell, besides the color and maybe the interior it seems that not much else can really be found out about the build of the cars. Is that right?

Is there any way to find out if the car should have come with knock offs? other kinds of options?

Did I read right that RED did not come with the interior being in TAN? If so, that means that either the body color is wrong or the interior is wrong....chances are the interior is right. Comments?

 

[vettefinderjim]

It appears to be the buy of the year!!

I think you got a very nice car, even if it is not a matching number vehicle. Is there any factory paperwork, like the windowsticker with it? How about ownership history?

I really believe the 'hunt' is as much fun as the find......and some times, there is a hidden treasure there.

Look forward to seeing the results.

Save the wave!!!,

Jim

 

[WayneC]

>>>>
From what I can tell, besides the color and maybe the interior it seems that not much else can really be found out about the build of the cars. Is that right?

Is there any way to find out if the car should have come with knock offs? other kinds of options?
<<<<

Only by looking at clues like brackets, panel holes, gauges, engine stamping (if original), etc, or finding the original owner's paperwork. The VIN number would tell you approximately when the car was built (month and week). No way to tell about knock-offs.

>>>>
Did I read right that RED did not come with the interior being in TAN? If so, that means that either the body color is wrong or the interior is wrong....chances are the interior is right. Comments?
<<<<

Yep, only red, black, or white interiors came with red from the factory. There may have been some "special orders", but that is unlikely and those would be reflected by the trim tag, I believe.

 

[studiog]

Beautiful car. I wouldn't do anything to the car except research right now and just live with it for a while. As time goes by you will know what direction to take. I guess some of us are conflicted (or at least I am)... Wanting an original 100 point car we can show & wanting to add our own personal tastes to car we can drive. Problem is you can't have it both ways.... unless you buy 2 cars... now there's a thought. Good luck.

 

[firstgear]

Ahhh....I don't have two 1964 vettes...but I do have one 1964 that you see the picture up above for...and then I have this as well....and this gets my autographed version attached to it....

Already had added new intake from Halltech and wheels from Ronal.....never knew that I would trip over this car. Now there is no shortage of places to put money....like there ever was....HAHA!

I talked to the gentleman that owned the car before me....there is more to the story...turns out he had intended to sell it at auction two years ago in Phoenix, but when he got there, the auction had no extra slots, so he didnt get in with it. A friend there suggested that he loan it to the Route 66 Museum and that is where it has been for the past couple of years.

He had a gentleman from Minnesota at one point check out the car and this man is a certified NCRS judge that went over it with a fine tooth comb, climbing on his back to check numbers and the like. All the numbers match and his commentwas that even the distributor had the proper rotor in it still.

The owners before him were an older retired couple that had the car for many many years and used it to go out on their Sunday afternoon drive. I have sent them a letter asking many kinds of questions about how long and where did they get it etc.

Hopefully they are still alive and can respond to my inquiry.

The car also had the "high mileage" gear ratio option....does that make sense to any one? Looks like the G91 option.

When I get the car i a few days....more information to follow....by the way, I posted the pictures of the car over at Z06vette.com and everyone over there liked it as well!

 

[studiog]

Both are awesome cars. I guess you already have the best of both worlds! Good luck.

 

[Tripleblack51]

Hey Herb,
Congratulations on your mid year. The car is beautiful!
Now you have the best of both worlds, old muscle and "high tech"
power.

Is the car painted Torch Red?
I was at a Corvette cruise-in this paet week end and saw a couple of mid years painted Torch Red.

I had considered it for my '67, and now I know that that is what I'll do.

Enjoy your beauty.

Regards,

Pedro