1967camaroguy

Hi all, have a question on a 1963 convertible vette I'm thinking about buying. I'm told it was an original ac car, but it was built in Jan '63. I was told that the ac car were started in about March or April of 1963. Also only 58 cars were built with ac and convertible. Is there any way to decipher these cars? The car is mostly compete with all new fiberglass. Just needs detail finish work. What is it worth approximately? Any input would be appreciated. I can buy this car for $25,000.

ratmotortom

Never say never, but a January AC car is highly unlikely. Are you certail of the build date ? Maybe you could post the VIN or info from the trim tag. A few photos of the car could provide some tips too. You should be able to tell an original AC installation while examining this car. An undetectible AC conversion to a non AC 63 car would cost thousands of dollars. Was this car for sale in Carlisle in August ??

wombvette

The ECL codes may indicate AC on the 63 models.

Look at the data plate and get us the code after the body number.

JohnZ

No factory-installed A/C prior to April, although there are several known earlier cars that were converted at Engineering. As Wayne noted, post the "Trim" code on the trim tag; if the tag is original, that will confirm it.

Nitrodamus

<< I have a 63' Factory AC coupe and owned two others in the early 1990's (before I had a ex-wife problem ).

There were a total of 278 AC cars (50 or so of them convertibles) built starting around mid-April 1963. Today there are probably 1,000 to 1,500 "original" 63' AC cars... let's just say there are many 64's missing their AC units.

This one sounds like someone trying to build a high-dollar car from spare parts. The problem is the time of manufacture which is too early for AC installation. Supposedly there were some rebuilt on the line for higher ups in GM and some could have been an early test run because AC parts were available early 1963. But... very unlikely this is one of them. There are many unique parts for a 63 AC car that are totally different than the 64 through 67 models.

What is the cars worth?? Don't know without seeing photos... but right now $25K sounds about right for a unfinished 63 vert.

1967camaroguy

Ok guys here's all the #'s the owner can give me.

VIN# 308675107628

TRIM TAG:

E463867
490M
3570
923A (red?)
4th week of 1963

Engine #'s
F0114sc (327, 250 hp)

Production# 3107628


hope this helps interpret this car. This car has all brand new fiber glass body, fully new interior, rebuilt guages, seats, door panels, carpet etc. All the chrome has been re-done. The car is red, with red interior. I think 25K is a good price. The owner says he has 30K into it. Thanks for all the help. Steve

Nowhere Man

to early for factory AC. what do you mean all new fiber glass body? a new front clip and rear quarters to go back to a stock look. is that hand laid glass or press mold glass

1967camaroguy

Supposedly all the glass has been replaced, has new hood. Cannot tell you if it is press or hand done. Supposedly the body was done 15 years ago and the owner has brought it from there. Mostly complete, he is 79 years old and is selling off everything. I think he should pay someone to finish it and then sell it.

64_365

The 490 is red vinyl, the ECL M was used for convertibles with U69 (AM/FM). There are quite a few ECLs for verts with C60 but that isn't one of them.

You didn't mention it but these numbers add up to a base HP car with a powerglide.

It's value is greatly diminished by so much fiberglass being new, 25k sounds about right. Could be a nice vert with A/C, just not original!!

MiguelsC2

Please elaborate on the "ECL" codes. Where can I find a definitions list?

JohnZ

The "Trim" number stamped on the trim tag (only on St. Louis-bodied cars with non-black interiors) was followed by a single letter ('63) or two letters ('64-'67); those are ECL codes (Exception Control Letter) which describe some of the interior-affecting options as the car was originally configured. There were hundreds of possible combinations - all are shown in the NCRS "Trim Tag Book" (NCRS Authentication Library, Volume I), available from the NCRS on-line store at www.ncrs.org.

Nitrodamus

JohnZ, in your many travels... have you ever seen a 63' or any midyear converted to AC by Chevy Engineering that could be verified? I keep hearing the rumors... and have seen some questionable/amateur AC installations. Something else... would Engineering have changed the trim tag to reflect interior changes? Thanks for the info!

LSUvetteguy

25K for a 63 convertible with air, all new chrome, new interrior and rebuilt gages sounds like a decent price. Much better if the new glass is press molded and be sure to check the frame.

JohnZ

I've seen one, with a very low number, and allegedly there were one or two more. Doubt if Engineering would have changed the trim tag; the tag ECL didn't reflect A/C until February of '63.

OG VETTE

I checked the battery location and it is sitting between the fender well and the fire wall and a hole cut in the fender well with a panel over it, I put a battery in it about four years ago and it is a pain in the rear the battery tray looks just like any other 63 vette I did not check were it mounts to the frame if it was a reversed from the standard tray maybe they will mount either way I don't know, the rest of the installation looks like typical GM work, tapes and the goop they used back then. I bought the car from a guy in Columbia SC I tried to get all of the info from him that I could but his memory was very short he had the car for several years and he said the reason he held on to it was because of the AC. he ownes the NAPA parts store and machine shop in Columbia and he did not have the time to work on it. It is a matching #'s car Black on Black 340 HP four speed 411 rear end I will try to get some pictures when I get back I am not very good on the computer.
Thanks Later.

Mark_Milner

Right there is a red flag. The AC was only on 250 hp and 300 hp cars.

Battery trays were different, not just switched side to side.

MiguelsC2

I have heard members on the Forum mention that there were a few HP motors with factory a/c in those yrs.

JohnZ

Only the '64-'65 L-76 (327/365hp); wasn't available with solid lifters in '63.

MiguelsC2

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

OG VETTE

Your right most production cars were low HP but I have read in several different articles that there has been cars that was owned by GM executives and brought back to the factory for AC installation and they were cars built in October which could very well be high HP I have a new battery tray for the standard 63 and I will compare them and I will post it with pictures if I can figure out how to do it I am new to this forum and don't know what I am doing, but I will figure it out. Thanks
Later OG