1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Completed

Fun project Mike.  Always liked the split window as well.  It's the only year they did that.  The c2 is probably my favorite body style, favorite convertable vette for sure.

Thanks John!  The '63 Split Window was a one year only and many owners had complained to GM that the barrier between the windows interferred with their vision and had that section removed.  Now these Split Window 'Vettes are commanding big bucks and the refurbished 'Vettes are not worth as much.

The suspension is where I want it.

More Corvette to come...

I noticed a missing piece in the right side vent window and I made a piece to fill in the gap.  The Corvette body has been washed and will dry for a coating of Tamiya White Fine Surface Primer.  I have a couple of metallic greens in mind for this Corvette, but I need to find the right one.

More Corvette to come...

I painted the 'Vette this morning with Dupli-Color Emerald Green Metallic and it looks great!  Now to let this dry and give it a coating of Tamiya TS-13 Gloss Clear.  

I've been thinking about adding a set of sidepipes to the car.  This should look great with the Pegasus Chrome T's.

More Corvette to come...

You are probaby wondering, "What the heck did he do?"  I started to find flaw after flaw in the paint and instead of repairing each and every single flaw individually, I sanded the whole thing and will give it another paint job!  Gotta wash the body first!

More Corvette to come...

Well Shoot!

 For a while there that was looking very, very gorgeous. What happened? Did your clearcoat get orange Peel. I have had it happen to a few so I stopped using clearcoat unless decals were involved/Now I just Buff and then Wax. 

Looks very comic-book like at this point.  Kinda a neat affect.

Yeah Keav!

         Looks kinda a Vette that has gone through a Sandstorm of the 70mph variety. Can you say Sandown?

Tanker-Builder, did you read what I wrote or did you just look at the pictures?  I found many flaws in my paint job and I elected to sand the entire body and paint it again.  No clearcoat was involved!

Heya Mike. I'm looking forward to you working your magic on the re-painting efforts bud.

Thanks, Joe!  I am hoping for a better result the second time around!

Yeah, I did:

       Then I realized my mistake, Sorry Mike! When I am on this device and writing, My thoughts waver when someone asks me a question not related to what my train of thought should be. So, I still like that you had that sharp an eye. You'll get er done and it will be beautiful Like the rest of your work. 

I washed the Corvette body and now it is drying in my paintbooth.  I made a set of rear wheel tubs for the Vette.  Since I never made anything like these before, this took me a while before I came up with a plan to make them.  Now, to paint them with Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black.

More Split Window to come...

I primered and painted the '63 Vette this afternoon and it looks so much better.  No trash in the paint, which is a good sign!  I used the same paint-Dupli-Color Emerald Green Metallic.

More Split Window to come...

Oh Boy!

     Mike! she looks good now for sure. Still love that color. My faves run to the Blue/Green spectrum for sure. That is going to polish out nice!

I love a good mockup!  It gives me a chance to see where my project is going.

More Split Window to come...

Looking pretty wicked Mike!  Are those stock wheels?  The look like a set of Pegasus wheels I used on a Charger build.

Whoops:  Just read you are indeed using Pegasus wheels.

Thanks John!  Those are 19" and 23" Pegasus Chrome T's wheels and the sidepipes are from the '68 Corvette L88 that I just finished.

Excellent job so far. Looking forward to the completed model.

Oho,Mr MIke!

      All I can say is YAOW, That is Bad$%%!!!!

I have started the foiling process.  Since my foil is several years old, I have resorted to using Micro Metal Foil Adhesive before I cut my foil.  Just another step in my process.  The hood vents got some Aluminium BMF.   

More Split Window to come...

I clearcoated the '63 Vette today with three coats of Testors Clear Lacquer.  

More Split Window to come...

I have completed my '63 Split Window Corvette.  I would like to thank all who have viewed and commented on my WIP.

A few more...

Looks very cool. Nice improvement.

BK

Well done mike!  Great looking build.

Thank you, Brandon and John!

Mr Mike!

       Isn't that color what Chevrolet used to call "Artesian Turquois"? Sure looks like my Impala in that color. Oh, Nice finish on the project, Well Done.

That looks fantastic Mr. Mike. You did a great job on it. I like it.