Features Corvette hot rods - picture thread

When I bought my '63 in 1971 Corvettes were hot stuff to us small town guys.
In no time flat at that time nine of us were all of a sudden driving modified
'vettes ranging from '57 to '71. No two were alike, and there were most likely
a few in garages owned by older fellows. All of ours were daily drivers, from
the fuel injected, straight axled '57 to the 427 roadster that was so cammed up
it felt like we were riding a camel as we cruised through town. When I think
about selling my '69 350/350 four speed for $5500 I want to strangle someone,
anyone, in range. A need-nothing damn good looking, running and driving car,
that I paid $3500 for in 1974. Woe is me.

 

Sure would love seeing more of these at the HAMB DRAGS!

 

Had to take a drive today, high 50's on the Siletz River.

 

Hello,

One day a friend asked me to come with him to see a yellow 1963 Corvette Split Window Model. So, we drove over to this shop in So Cal and looked at this great looking Corvette. It was pretty nice and the yellow paint made it stand out even more. As I was walking around the Corvette, I was admiring the split window and commented how nice it was, as the only Corvette that had the split. My friend wanted to buy a red one that was for sale and wanted to look at the yellow one first.

He wanted to get my opinion about buying a split window Corvette vs. a later model like a 66 with no split window, too. Of course, I said the split was something that made the 1963 version stand out from the rest. The surprising thing was, the cost for the 1963 red, split window model was considerably higher than the yellow split window version.

We kept walking around and talking about this yellow Corvette. It was pristine. Then he hit me with a knock on the head… it is not real. What??? This particular yellow Corvette Split Window version was a stock 1965 model and was given a full custom insert for the rear window area. A fibergl*** insert was used to create a split window version.

There was a shop that had fibergl*** rear gl*** inserts for a Corvette C-2 models. At the time, I never knew those were made, so I ***umed the split window Corvettes were all 1963 versions. The wonders of fibergl*** molds, alterations and great body work. From close up as well as far away, there was no difference. They both looked like original 1963 Split Window Corvettes.

So, money was a factor for my friend. The red vs. the yellow Corvette stance & overall difference was negligible, he bought the yellow, split window, Corvette. He was so happy as he drove off to his house.

Jnaki

I saw the yellow split window Corvette a month later and my friend was extremely happy, as well as satisfied. He had his own split window Corvette for his daily driver. In order to be nice, I never brought up the question of the fibergl*** alteration. He modified the motor, he was content, he had his own Corvette and was extremely happy.

I am not sure what he told people that asked him about his yellow Corvette. The fun thing was, most people at the time knew what a split window Corvette was versus the other similar later body , Corvette fast back models.

 

The red 66 Corvette appears to be the Penske L88 racer before it was repainted Sunoco
Blue.[/QUOTE]

 

@mkebaird,

The more I look at your Vette the more I like it. I think you should do a thread detailing the build and pointing out the modifications. I am particularly interested in the ***anium colored trim, the top, the wind wings, the suspension and what power train it has now.

I did look at your album, but I need more!
Bruce

 

I'd sure like to know more about this one. Like where and when this photo was taken and what the asking price was?

 

@jnaki, most people wouldn’t know the difference but a Corvette guy would. A 64 would be the closest and best to do the conversion to. When my friend put the divider back in his 63 I think he said that he had trouble finding the interior trim pieces that go around the divider and those weren’t reproduced.

 

I was recently told the trim can cost several thousands, like as much as 10.

 

Wow !!!!!! I had no idea. I will have to ask him more about it. I’m sure that he didn’t pay that much but it was probably 4 years ago

 

Joe Santangelo was a factory fuelie before turning into race car

 

This pic was posted earlier today by Elgringo. I wanted to try my hand at
cleaning the trash and brightening up the photo a little.

 

Are you talking about this one? @rumblegutz and I both agree that there are some very interesting things about it.





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Jason some nice pics. Pretty sure that the gold car above is Curtiss W***on and of course Wildabeast directly above.

Gray Lady I may have to do a littel sleuthing too figure it out. Representative of a number of cars that raced in a similar state. Like the headers and they along with the pinched front end may help to ID it.

 

I sure wish that I could find more pictures of the Wildabeast. Jim did you get those pictures that I sent you?

 

Yes I did, thanks. I too wish I could find more on Wildabeast. Bunch of great pics from Tri City dragway. It was good seeing the red Midwest altered Vette stack injected (above and below). I had thought I was going nuts with the red Midwest car as that picture above is the only picture I have seen. I remember seeing the car in 68 or 69 at a graveyard on Woodward (in the tool shed). I knew of the black Midwest car and Gianino but this red one was different from Gianinos. It was a sunny Saturday and we had been visiting a number of the Corvette drag cars owned or raced by the Woodward guys.

A guy responded on another site that I was not going nuts and that the car went onto become the Littleton car with the flip front end. Wish I could find pics of it when Midwest sponsored the car.