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1963 Roadster w/Factory Air

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Old 01-23-2007, 07:41 AM
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63air
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Default 1963 Roadster w/Factory Air

I have been trying to find information concerning the number of roadsters in 63' that came with a/c - I know that 278 where built with a/c, but I have not been able to break it down any further than that. Does anyone have any information or can point me in the right direction on how to get more information?

I have a 63' Roadster, Riverside Red, Both tops (hard and soft), AM/FM radio, 4-speed, 327/300, A/C - still has the original Chevy Bowtie with air conditioning decal on the windows.

Thanks
Old 01-23-2007, 07:48 AM
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ratmotortom
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I can't say for sure, but I don't think that information has ever been confirmed. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Old 01-23-2007, 07:59 AM
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63air
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The information must exist - on Barrett-Jackson, Saturday they had a 63' coupe roll across the block that had A/C and a 36gal tank - it was listed as one of two that where built.
Old 01-23-2007, 08:30 AM
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The number of 63 coupes with A/C and 36.5 gal fuel tank is not known. In the late 80's, I had the Sebring silver AC/N03 car and K.D. James had the red/red AC/N03 car. I told several people that it was possible that James and I had the only two ever produced with those two options. The story eventually seemed to become fact and everyone was of the opinion that some GM records confirmed this number. That's not the case.

Eventually, K. D. James wound up with both of these cars and he somehow convinced the world that the number of cars with this combination of options was confirmed by GM.

While it's unlikely another may pop up one day, it certainly is possible.
Old 01-23-2007, 08:40 AM
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1KULC7
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Originally Posted by 63air
The information must exist - on Barrett-Jackson, Saturday they had a 63' coupe roll across the block that had A/C and a 36gal tank - it was listed as one of two that where built.
You drank the BJ Kool-aid?
Old 01-23-2007, 08:53 AM
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62Jeff
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Originally Posted by 63air
I have been trying to find information concerning the number of roadsters in 63' that came with a/c - I know that 278 where built with a/c, but I have not been able to break it down any further than that. Does anyone have any information or can point me in the right direction on how to get more information?

I have a 63' Roadster, Riverside Red, Both tops (hard and soft), AM/FM radio, 4-speed, 327/300, A/C - still has the original Chevy Bowtie with air conditioning decal on the windows.

Thanks
I've got some data from Noland Adam's book that states there were 52 convertibles with A/C and the 300 horse motor, 226 Coupes with A/C and the 300 horse motor, and since 52+226=278 which matches your quoted number as the total A/C cars, wouldn't that mean that 52 convertibles is all there was with A/C?

Jeff
Old 01-23-2007, 09:09 AM
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Critter1
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If those GM records indicate the number of C60 with 300 HP, there would have been more C60 with the 250 HP engine. If I remember correctly, the K. D. James car was a 250 HP with C60/N03.
Old 01-23-2007, 09:17 AM
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62Jeff
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Originally Posted by Critter1
If those GM records indicate the number of C60 with 300 HP, there would have been more C60 with the 250 HP engine. If I remember correctly, the K. D. James car was a 250 HP with C60/N03.
I'm on my way to work, but I'll double check my data by looking in my own copy of the Noland Adams book when I get home. What I quoted in my previous thread is from an Excel spreadsheet sent to me by another forum member (a respected one) on A/C versus horsepower.

That spreadsheet simply lists ?? for the 250 horse entries.
Old 01-23-2007, 09:19 AM
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63air
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62Jeff - For several years the number 50 for A/C convertibles has been tossed around - Since the Barrett-Jackson craz I have been looking for that detailed information on the number built - I know I am setting in one that is at least 1 of 52, which is pretty good since several thousands were built. I guess the search will still be on to find out if it is 1 of 10 or 1 of 20, or whatever -

thanks for your information
Old 01-23-2007, 09:51 AM
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ctjackster
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Originally Posted by 62Jeff
I've got some data from Noland Adam's book that states there were 52 convertibles with A/C and the 300 horse motor, 226 Coupes with A/C and the 300 horse motor, and since 52+226=278 which matches your quoted number as the total A/C cars, wouldn't that mean that 52 convertibles is all there was with A/C?

Jeff
That's all extrapolation, and pure math ignores some human preferences (the raw extrapolated numbers tell you that a 250 hp car with no options other than AC would mean it was one of 242 produced in 1965, but that ignores the fact that human purchasing behavior would normally pair the very expensive AC with at least some other options and a bigger engine). All we have are number of RPOs sold, period. No actual data exists on how many of this RPO with that RPO were really sold.

Use the 250 base car with only AC as an example - such a car would be one of of 2549 250 hp cars in 1965 out of a total production of 23562 units. We also know that 2423 65 Corvettes with RPO C60 (AC) were sold, which is 10% of the total units sold; but I would say that there were much fewer than 242 Corvettes (10% of the number of base engine units) sold in 1965 with the 250 hp engine and AC combination.
Old 04-15-2012, 01:29 AM
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hook626
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52 convertibles were made 23 or so known to exist. Were actually keeping track on the ones still out there. ( were means Tom Christman)

I own few convertible factory air, all are 300 HP but through the years I saw 3 that were 250 hp . Ive seen more 4 speed that automatics on the convertible ones.
Old 04-15-2012, 02:41 PM
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Dan Hampton
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Originally Posted by ctjackster
That's all extrapolation, and pure math ignores some human preferences (the raw extrapolated numbers tell you that a 250 hp car with no options other than AC would mean it was one of 242 produced in 1965, but that ignores the fact that human purchasing behavior would normally pair the very expensive AC with at least some other options and a bigger engine). All we have are number of RPOs sold, period. No actual data exists on how many of this RPO with that RPO were really sold.

Use the 250 base car with only AC as an example - such a car would be one of of 2549 250 hp cars in 1965 out of a total production of 23562 units. We also know that 2423 65 Corvettes with RPO C60 (AC) were sold, which is 10% of the total units sold; but I would say that there were much fewer than 242 Corvettes (10% of the number of base engine units) sold in 1965 with the 250 hp engine and AC combination.
In '62, the powerglide/horsepower mix was about 66% 250 hp and 33% 300 hp but I agree with the premise that the PG/A/C buyer would have been inclined to option out his car.

Last edited by Dan Hampton; 04-15-2012 at 03:34 PM.
Old 04-15-2012, 05:20 PM
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While restoring my 63 C60 Convertible a few years back, I found that many of the other 63 C60 equipped cars were fairly loaded option wise. My car had pw pb ac pg ps 300 hp and was red red. I guess if the owners checked off a luxury option like C60 it was likely that they would load it up with other luxury options.

Dave
Old 02-27-2013, 12:50 AM
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hook626
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I know its an old post but I own a convertible factory air 63 vette. 52 were made about 26 exist.

Thanks
Old 02-27-2013, 12:51 AM
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Dave

Do you still own the 63 red/ red convertible with factory air ?
Old 02-27-2013, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by hook626
Dave

Do you still own the 63 red/ red convertible with factory air ?
Not the same Dave but just checking in with this one..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...61-albums.html

Some facts of the car are here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-decoding.html

Dave
Old 02-27-2013, 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by hook626
Dave

Do you still own the 63 red/ red convertible with factory air ?
No, I wish that I still owned that car. I sold that one to help pay for
my sons college education. It went to a collector in Michigan.
Dave
Old 02-27-2013, 05:26 PM
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hook626
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Do you know what vin was the car ???

... were trying to keep track of all the 63 factory air convertibles out there... we know of about 26 out of the 52 that were made and where theyre at. One was taken apart about 3 years ago and sold in pieces on ebay before I could get to it.

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